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." But doubt gnawed at

she might recognize me and leave me here to rot. After everything I'd done, why would she help me? But if I stayed silent, perhaps she'd approach, maybe even free me before realising who

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

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

want to make it right,"

torture-not just physical but psychological-had eroded my courage. Astaroth had ensured I couldn't divulge certain truths,

admitted. "He won't

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

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

stirring emotions I'd long suppressed. As she

ounce of willpower not to react. Flint whimpered, noting the absence of the

the chains. The clank of metal on metal told me she'd found bolt cutters or some tool to free me. Hope flickered-a fragile,

air from the open doorway caused me to sway slightly. The motion turned

than a whisper. Fear and disbelief laced

the concrete floor with a resounding clang that echoed through the

disdain when I quickly closed them, hoping she hadn't noticed me watching her and assumed I was still the helpless being she was about

raspy from disuse. "Nice of you to stop

me, she looked impeccable. Pregnancy had only enhanced her beauty-the soft glow of her skin, the fullness of her form. Apang

masking my true feelings behind a