Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0276

Mike POV

Hanging from the ceiling in this forsaken chamber, time had lost all meaning. My arms screamed in agony, the chains biting into raw wrists, but the physical pain was a welcome distraction from the emptiness gnawing at my soul. The darkness was absolute, broken only by

the occasional drip of water echoing through the damp stone walls.

Suddenly, a stirring within jolted me from my stupor. Flint, my wolf, awakened after months of silence. His presence was like a sharp inhale after being submerged underwater.

"Lottie," Flint whispered, his voice a blend of longing and fury. "She's here." I stiffened, scarcely daring to believe it.

"Impossible," I replied internally. "How could she be here? This must be another one of their twisted tricks."

"You fool. She's here, and it's because of you that we lost her." Flint growled a low rumble that resonated in my bones. His words cut deep. Flint had abandoned me, retreating into the recesses of my mind after the unforgivable acts I'd committed. Months without his presence had left me feeling hollow, but now his return only amplified my guilt.

"I didn't mean for things to end up like this," I muttered defensively.

"Intentions mean nothing when your actions betray your words," he snapped back. "We had everything, and you threw it away with your deceit." The sound of soft footsteps echoed faintly from the corridor. My heart lurched. Could it really be her? Was Lottie truly here? Flint's renewed energy surged, making my head throb.

"It's her. I can sense her," he insisted, his excitement palpable.

trick? Astaroth has toyed with my mind before."

me here to rot. After everything I'd done,

your own making." The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd spent so long manipulating others, weaving

her." Regret washed over me, a relentless tide that threatened to pull me under. Memories of Lottie's tear-streaked face, the betrayal in her eyes, haunted me.

want to make it

torture-not just physical but psychological-had eroded my courage. Astaroth had ensured I couldn't divulge certain truths, the words sealing in my throat whenever I tried. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't

admitted. "He

The footsteps grew nearer, accompanied by the faint scent of honey-Lottie's scent. My heart pounded, each beat echoing like a drum

open, and a sliver of light pierced the darkness. I kept my eyes closed to mere slits, watching as she cautiously entered. Her silhouette was illuminated by the dim glow, and for a moment,

cold stone floor. The scent of her filled my senses, stirring emotions I'd long suppressed. As she

me. It took every ounce of willpower not to react. Flint whimpered, noting the

I pushed the thought aside as she began inspecting the chains. The clank of metal on metal told me she'd found bolt cutters or some

from the open doorway caused me to sway slightly. The motion turned me to face her directly. My eyes met hers,

she gasped, her voice barely more than a whisper. Fear and disbelief laced her tone,

onto the concrete floor with a resounding clang that echoed through the

can hear you breathing," she snorted, attempting to mask her fear with disdain when I quickly closed them, hoping she hadn't noticed me watching her and assumed I was still the helpless being she was

disuse. "Nice of you to stop by," I croaked, forcing a casual tone that belied

grime and the stench of neglect clinging to me, she looked impeccable. Pregnancy had only enhanced her beauty-the soft glow of her skin, the fullness of her form. Apang of something between admiration and regret twisted in my

my true