Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0338

Kane's POV

We continued our climb, more cautiously this time. The winged demons maintained their circling above but kept their distance. The reddish sky intensified the dramatic ambience, casting warm, golden shadows that made the setting feel even more isolated and formidable.

I stayed close to Lottie, ready to shield her from any threat.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to her. I offered a warm smile, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, I squeezed lightly to let her know I was right beside her.

She nodded, though her eyes remained fixed ahead. "I just want to find Knox and get out of here."

"Me too," I agreed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. As we approached the top of the staircase, the massive doors of the castle loomed before us-ornate and foreboding, with intricate carvings and symbols etched into the dark stone. The guards standing on either side observed us with unreadable expressions. "Expecting trouble?" Adam grunted, his gaze flicking between the imposing doors and the silent sentinels.

"I am not sure yet," Astaroth replied calmly. For a moment, his usually confident demeanour faltered. His eyes held a flicker of vulnerability, a rare glimpse beneath his façade. It was as if the weight of something unseen pressed upon him.

"Who would want to hurt you? You're the king of chaos," she said, her voice tinged with confusion. Lottie tilted her head, curiosity and a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Even kings have their enemies." Astaroth offered a wry smile. She stopped walking, her feet planted firmly as she regarded him.

"I'm potentially sending my child to live with you. I deserve to know who your enemies are," she stated firmly.

Her words struck me like a bolt. I halted beside her, realisation dawning. Lottie was seriously considering going through with the deal to give our child to Astaroth. A knot formed in my stomach. Astaroth met my gaze, a subtle challenge in his eyes, clearly not appreciating my unspoken doubts.

yours," he replied cryptically before stepping aside. "Welcome to my humble abode," he announced with a flourish, ending the conversation there... at least

The idea that our enemies were shared seemed absurd. Any foes he had were likely beyond our realm and capabilities. If they ever came for him, we'd be collateral damage at best. "You have more enemies than you think, Kane," Astaroth remarked as we stepped inside. His tone was casual, but his words carried an ominous

halls. The atmosphere was thick, almost suffocating, as if the very air carried whispers of long-forgotten secrets. Warm hues

seemed almost... proud to

every instinct telling me to be on guard. Lottie clutched my arm, her grip tightening as we ventured deeper. The sound of our footsteps echoed ominously, and the guards' watchful eyes never

Lottie

"You will

pulled her away from the

in my hands and lifting her head to meet my gaze. She shook

her face and wrapped my arms around

rested her

could feel

for a moment, the weight of our worries lifting ever so slightly. When

she whispered, her cheeks flushed

meant it. I was always here for her. We rejoined the group as they approached a set of grand doors adorned with unfamiliar symbols. Astaroth paused before

challenged, narrowing my

dramatically. Without waiting, I stepped forward and pushed past him, opening the doors. The sight that greeted us made my heart leap. "Knox!" Lottie

him stood Chase and Liam, their expressions a mix of relief and surprise at our sudden appearance. "About time you showed up," Chase quipped, though his eyes shone with genuine

okay?" I

Pet

the bed. My eyes scanned him anxiously, searching for any sign of the fatal wound he had when he left. There was no blood, no visible