Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0328

Lottie POV

Adam's confession and insight had touched me deeply, I appreciated his vulnerability and honesty but the fact was, I had already gambled so much on the lives of the people I loved, was I ready to do it again. "But I can't trust him," I admitted after a moment, biting my lip to stop the tears.

"Can you afford not to?" Adam asked, his face twisted with guilt for suggesting such a thing.

"Kane?" I looked at my mate as he sat beside my feet on the floor, lost in some kind of spiral of his own.

"If I have learned anything, princess, it's that you can take care of yourself, and your gut is always right. I'm behind you whatever you decide," he finally answered, meeting my eyes with conviction.

"I will have Knox meet us there..." Astaroth added as a bargaining chip, no doubt. I could feel the slight tremor in Kane's body, and I worried that Astaroth's blood was affecting him.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to him. His eyes met mine, filled with determination, but I couldn't shake the unease creeping in.

What was he not telling me?

Closing my eyes, I tried to shut out my fears, counting to ten as the sound of the room caving in grew louder. Dust filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

"Fine," I snapped, opening my eyes. "But I need Knox and my brothers with me! And if this is another one of your tricks, Astaroth, I swear-"

"No tricks," he interrupted, a hint of desperation in his voice. "Knox and your siblings are already waiting for you." He nodded. "Time is of the essence."

"If you had led with that, maybe we could have saved this bullshit," I snapped angrily.

"Let's go," I agreed reluctantly, casting a concerned glance at Nera. She was on her feet, though still a bit unsteady.

moved toward the portal, its swirling energy seeming more ominous than ever. Astaroth led the way, his steps hurried. Black blood still seeped from his wound, leaving a trail of sizzling drops behind him. Each drop made me flinch, worried

reached out to touch Kane's naked flesh. The burning

thinking," Sage

shudder. A massive crack split the floor between us

Astaroth yelled, leaping effortlessly across the

nodded, taking a running start and clearing the

He backed up slightly

prepared to jump, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen. I gasped, doubling over.

out a hand. His eyes were wide with fear, his

up, but the

What was that?

Astaroth barked, his voice

sprint and leap, hoping Adam would grab my hand to pull me safely to the other side. But Nera had other ideas. She nudged me forcefully, positioning herself beside me. "Nera, what are you doing?" I began, but she wouldn't be deterred. She lowered

too heavy," I protested,

my legs, flicking me over with her tail and onto her back. Instinctively, I grabbed fistfuls of her fur, gripping for dear life as she bounded toward the chasm. "You are as

ruffling her fur lovingly as we landed safely on the other side. There was a shared moment of understanding between us, a brief respite in the chaos. Nodding, I felt panic eat at me. Was Knox okay? The thought of

stood before the portal, its energy crackling

now or never," Astaroth

chamber was collapsing, rocks and dust filling the

and Adam's hands. Nera pressed against my side,

sensation of weightlessness enveloped me,

we emerged on the other side, stumbling onto solid ground. The air was crisp, the

around us, casting ethereal light on

unfamiliar constellatione line