Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0323

Lottie's POV

The tunnel walls seemed to close in around me as we walked, the damp air heavy with an unnameable tension. Astaroth led the way with an assured stride, his silhouette cutting a sharp figure against the dim glow emanating from ahead. Nera-no longer Fluffy-kept pace at my side, her presence a comforting anchor in this labyrinth of uncertainty.

We emerged into a vast chamber that felt eerily familiar, though I couldn't recall ever being here before. The ceiling stretched high above, disappearing into shadows, while ancient symbols etched into the stone walls pulsed with a faint, otherworldly light. At the center of the room stood an ornate archway shimmering with a swirling, iridescent energy-a portal.

I halted, my instincts screaming at me to be cautious.

"Where are we?" I asked, my voice echoing softly. "We must have walked miles. We're far from pack territory now." Astaroth turned to face me, his eyes inscrutable.

"A place between worlds," he replied vaguely. "A gateway to possibilities beyond your imagination."

"That's not an answer," I retorted, crossing my arms. "Why here? Why now?"

"All in due time, Charlotte. Trust that this is necessary." He sighed, a flicker of impatience crossing his features. I glanced at the portal, its swirling depths both mesmerising and terrifying.

"I'm not stepping through that until you give me some real answers." A low rumble echoed from the passage we had just exited, followed by distant shouts and the unmistakable sounds of conflict. Astaroth's gaze shifted past me, his posture tensing. "What's going on?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach.

"Nothing that concerns you," he declared sharply. "But we need to leave. Now."

He stepped toward me, extending his hand. "Come. It's not safe here."

I didn't move.

feel safe with you either," I

his eyes narrowed. "This is not the

the tunnel. Nera growled softly, her

cracked

snapped, reaching out to grab

I could react further, Nera lunged between us, her massive jaws snapping shut around Astaroth's forearm. He let out a roar of pain as her teeth sank deep into his flesh. Black blood oozed from the wound, sizzling as it

screamed, stumbling back in horror. I knew he was a

wrist, a surge of dark

my knees beside her. She whimpered softly, her eyes

me now, Charlotte. It's the only way to keep you

you?" I rose to my feet, positioning myself between him and

If

step back, "but

braced myself, but before his fingers could close around my neck, a blur of motion

figure collided with Astaroth, sending him crashing to the ground. The impact shook the chamber, dust raining down from the ceiling. I blinked, heart racing, as the blur resolved into a massive wolf with fur as brown as mud-Rolo. Inside my mind, Sage erupted with excitement,

she shouted,

me in a dizzying rush. "He's here! Our mate!" she coded, filled with joy. A pang of frustration hit Sage as

through me. The mate bond surged between us, a warm current that erased all fear. Memories of our time together flashed in my mind the laughter, the

I

promises. was so

him, to feel his heartbeat against mine, but I knew now

the time. The danger was

too real.