Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0277

Knox POV

I jolted awake, my head throbbing like a drum and every muscle protesting as I moved. Groaning, I flopped back onto the pillow, but then a familiar, intoxicating scent enveloped me. My eyes snapped open.

"Lottie."

Her fragrance was everywhere clinging to my skin, woven into my hair, seeping into the sheets beneath me. A grin spread across my face as I inhaled deeply, the pain momentarily forgotten. Without a second thought, I buried my face into the pillow, rolling around like a pup in fresh grass.

"You're like a lovesick puppy," Havoc chuckled in my mind.

"Can't help it," I replied aloud, my voice muffled by the linens. "She's been here, maybe. On me, though, yes! Do you realise what this means?"

"That you should probably take a shower?" he quipped playfully because I could sense that he, too, was overwhelmed with joy.

"Never!" I declared dramatically, wrapping myself tighter in the sheets. "I'm never washing this bedding again. Or myself, for that matter."

"That's disgusting," Havoc groaned. "You're covered in blood and who knows what else. You smell like a butcher's shop." I glanced down at myself. Dried blood smeared across my chest and arms, with bits of... something... stuck in my hair. My clothes were nowhere to be seen, my body filthy, but Lottie's scent was the only thing I cared about.

"Details," I waved off his concerns, rolling over once more. "I can't believe she was here."

"You're hopeless." Havoc sighed, making me smile because my wolf was usually a creature of few words.

in love," I corrected, grinning like

no memory of how

said, stretching lazily. "I'll piece it

well for you in the past," he muttered. I sat up, a sudden thought piercing through my

I'm covered in blood and it smells like her..." Panic surged through me. "Havoc, what if it's Lottie's blood?" I whispered, fear constricting

just old scars and bruises. The scent wasn't tainted with the metallic sharpness of fresh blood. It was older, not hers- I hope. "Okay, okay," I breathed, relief washing over me. "But what

my eyes, trying to recall the events leading up to this moment. Flashes of memory flickered-getting into a heated argument with my father over the phone after

a disgrace," he had spat. "You're throwing away your

legacy!" I'd shouted back, meaning every word. "Maybe I

is leading you down a path of ruin," My

ruin," I'd retorted before hanging up and reaching for the nearest bottle. After that, things got hazy. I remembered drinking-heavily-and

it," I cursed, rubbing my temples.

drowned your brain in alcohol," Havoc replied

as ever,"

Maybe

swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Spotting a pair of sweatpants.crumpled on the floor, pulled them on. The blood was cracking on my skin,

stronger. It was fresher here, making

you smell that?"

"She's close." I followed the trail down the stairs, each step fueled by a mix of hope and anxiety. The scent led me to the basement door, slightly ajar. Pushing it open, I descended

Mike? He was hanging from the ceiling, chains binding his wrists. A surge of anger welled up inside me. That bastard deserved every bit of suffering

near, our bond pulling us together. But she remained focused on