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.

has toyed with my

matter? This could be our chance," Flint urged. "Call out to her!" I hesitated. If I called out, she might recognize me and leave me here to

you're trapped in one of your own making." The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd spent so long manipulating others, weaving lies and deceit, and now I was ensnared in a predicament where honesty might be my only salvation. Flint's disdain was a bitter pill

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. I'd sacrificed everything good in my life for power and

want to make it right," I whispered

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 admitted. "He won't let

faint scent of honey-Lottie's scent. My heart pounded, each beat echoing like a drum in the silent chamber. Deciding swiftly, I let my body go limp, feigning unconsciousness. Perhaps if she thought I was near death, compassion might override her

a sliver of light pierced the darkness. I kept my eyes closed to mere slits, watching as she cautiously entered.

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

against my filthy arm, and an involuntary shiver ran through me. It took every ounce of willpower not to react. Flint whimpered, noting the absence of the sparks that once ignited at her

inspecting the chains. The clank of metal on metal told me

then, a gust of air from the open doorway caused me to sway slightly. The motion turned me to

than a whisper. Fear and disbelief laced her tone, each

concrete floor with a resounding clang that echoed through

snorted, attempting to mask her fear with disdain when I quickly closed them, hoping she hadn't noticed me watching her

disuse. "Nice of you to stop

clinging to me, she looked impeccable. Pregnancy had only enhanced her

the whale look," I sneered, masking my true feelings