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.

Astaroth has toyed with my mind before." But doubt gnawed at

she might recognize me and leave me here to rot. After everything I'd done, why

long manipulating others, weaving lies and deceit, and

talk about hating games, yet you revelled in them when it suited you," he continued. "Especially when it meant hurting 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. I'd sacrificed everything good in my life

want to make it right,"

show her the truth," Flint pressed. "Stop hiding behind lies." But fear held me captive. The months of isolation, the relentless torture-not just physical but psychological-had eroded my courage. Astaroth had

admitted. "He

Flint huffed in frustration. The footsteps grew nearer, accompanied by the faint scent of honey-Lottie's scent. My heart pounded, each beat echoing like a drum in the silent chamber. Deciding swiftly, I

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

I'd long suppressed. As she neared, her face became clearer-the gentle curve of her jaw,

of willpower not to react.

thought aside as she began inspecting the chains.

gust of air from the open doorway caused me to sway slightly. The motion turned me to face her directly. My eyes met hers, wide and filled

whisper. Fear and disbelief laced her tone, each

from her grasp, crashing onto the concrete floor with a resounding clang that echoed through the chamber, shattering any illusion

attempting to mask her fear with disdain when I quickly closed them, hoping

weak grin, my voice raspy from disuse. "Nice of you to stop by," I croaked, forcing a casual tone that belied

in my dishevelled appearance. Despite the layers of grime and the stench of neglect clinging to me, she looked impeccable. Pregnancy had only enhanced her beauty-the soft

whale look," I sneered, masking my true feelings behind a facade of indifference.