Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0303

Lottie's POV

(Ten Minutes Earlier)

I stirred to the sound of creaking just outside the room. My eyelids felt heavy, weighed down by sheer exhaustion. I tried to ignore it, pulling the quilt tighter around me. My body ached in places I didn't know could hurt, a dull throb that echoed the turmoil in my mind. All I wanted was to eat something warm, sink back into this bed, and let sleep claim me until it was time to leave this place behind.

But the creaking persisted, followed by the murmur of raised voices. I sighed, tossing the quilt aside. So much for a peaceful night's rest. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stood up slowly, every muscle protesting. "Seriously? Can't a girl get some sleep around here?" Annoyance bubbled up, but beneath it was a flicker of curiosity.

Padding softly across the room, I approached the door. Pressing my ear against the cool wood, I strained to make out the conversation. Adam's voice came through, stern and edged with irritation. He sounded... rude, even for him. Someone was insisting on seeing me. I rolled my eyes, assuming it was Laura or another overzealous pack member unable to respect boundaries.

Then I heard another voice-a voice that made my heart skip a beat. Kane.

My breath hitched as a rush of emotions surged through me. Confusion. Anticipation. A glimmer of... hope?

"Why is Kane here?" I closed my eyes, trying to piece together fragmented memories that danced just out of reach.

Suddenly, images flooded my mind: a secret deal whispered in hushed tones, a stolen moment with Kane in the kitchen-the warmth of his gaze, the brush of his hand against mine.

Anger and hurt swirled within

amid the frustration, there was relief. Relief that these memories, however fleeting, meant I wasn't going crazy. Something was happening-something real. A small sob escaped my lips as the memories began to fade, slipping

could physically hold onto them. The creaking behind me barely registered as I grappled

him." Determined, I reached for the door handle, my fingers

pulling me back with swift force. Panic shot through me

fabric pressed against my lips. The scent of chemicals and herbs

as the precious memories were yanked away just as violently as I was being pulled from the door-from those I

set of eyes-cold, unyielding. Recognition sent a jolt of fear through my core. "It's him... but why?"

cuffs-the same ones that had been used to suppress my father's powers months ago. Horror twisted in my gut. "They've planned this. They know exactly how to keep me powerless." I

I

drawing my attention back up. A blade glinted in the dim light as it traced softly over my stomach. The threat was clear, the unspoken

screamed at me to fight back, to shift, to do something-but the cuffs rendered

think about was the

signalling my compliance as the magic wore off. My captor smirked, satisfied, and began pulling me toward the far wall. To my astonishment,

I never notice this?" I asked a still silent Sage, but I knew as much as I

we stepped

packhouse. Lilly and I used to play in them as children, our laughter echoing in the confined spaces. As teenagers, we would sneakout using these very paths, chasing