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.

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 about its proximity to Kane and

reached out to touch Kane's

it is wishful thinking,"

violent shudder. A massive

Astaroth yelled, leaping effortlessly across the

taking a running start and clearing the

"Your turn," I voiced. He backed up slightly before bounding over the

shot through my abdomen. I gasped, doubling over. Panic surged through

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

but the pain rippled through me again, sharper this

What was that?

barked, his voice tinged

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

heavy,"

me over with her tail and onto her back. Instinctively, I grabbed fistfuls of her fur, gripping for dear

a shared moment of understanding between us, a brief respite in the chaos. Nodding, I felt panic eat

stood before the portal, its energy crackling

or never,"

last time. The chamber was collapsing, rocks and dust filling the space we had just occupied. There

taking Kane and Adam's hands. Nera pressed

a deep breath, we stepped into the portal. A sensation of weightlessness enveloped me, colours and

solid ground. The air was crisp,

around us, casting ethereal light on our faces. The landscape was both alien and

unfamiliar constellatione line