Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem)

Mike POV

Hanging from the ceiling in this forsaken chamber, time had lost all meaning. My arms screamed in agony, the chains biting into raw wrists, but the physical pain was a welcome distraction from the emptiness gnawing at my soul. The darkness was absolute, broken only by

the occasional drip of water echoing through the damp stone walls.

Suddenly, a stirring within jolted me from my stupor. Flint, my wolf, awakened after months of silence. His presence was like a sharp inhale after being submerged underwater.

"Lottie," Flint whispered, his voice a blend of longing and fury. "She's here." I stiffened, scarcely daring to believe it.

"Impossible," I replied internally. "How could she be here? This must be another one of their twisted tricks."

"You fool. She's here, and it's because of you that we lost her." Flint growled a low rumble that resonated in my bones. His words cut deep. Flint had abandoned me, retreating into the recesses of my mind after the unforgivable acts I'd committed. Months without his presence had left me feeling hollow, but now his return only amplified my guilt.

"I didn't mean for things to end up like this," I muttered defensively.

"Intentions mean nothing when your actions betray your words," he snapped back. "We had everything, and you threw it away with your deceit." The sound of soft footsteps echoed faintly from the corridor. My heart lurched. Could it really be her? Was Lottie truly here? Flint's renewed energy surged, making my head throb.

"It's her. I can sense her," he insisted, his excitement palpable.

"What if it's a trick? Astaroth has toyed with my mind before." But doubt gnawed at me.

"Does it matter? This could be our chance," Flint urged. "Call out to her!" I hesitated. If I called out, she might recognize me and leave me here to rot. After everything I'd done, why would she help me? But if I stayed silent, perhaps she'd approach, maybe even free me before realising who I was.

"You're a coward," Flint growled. "Always playing games, and now you're trapped in one of your own making." The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd spent so long manipulating others, weaving lies and deceit, and now I was ensnared in a predicament where honesty might be my only salvation. Flint's disdain was a bitter pill to swallow.

"You talk about hating games, yet you revelled in them when it suited you," he continued. "Especially when it meant hurting her." Regret washed over me, a relentless tide that threatened to pull me under. Memories of Lottie's tear-streaked face, the betrayal in her eyes, haunted me. I'd sacrificed everything good in my life for power and ended up with nothing.

"I want to make it right," I whispered internally.

"Then show her the truth," Flint pressed. "Stop hiding behind lies." But fear held me captive. The months of isolation, the relentless torture-not just physical but psychological-had eroded my courage. Astaroth had ensured I couldn't divulge certain truths, the words sealing in my throat whenever I tried. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't tell my captors everything.

"I can't," I admitted. "He won't let me."

"Convenient excuse." Flint huffed in frustration. The footsteps grew nearer, accompanied by the faint scent of honey-Lottie's scent. My heart pounded, each beat echoing like a drum in the silent chamber. Deciding swiftly, I let my body go limp, feigning unconsciousness. Perhaps if she thought I was near death, compassion might override her hatred.

The door creaked open, and a sliver of light pierced the darkness. I kept my eyes closed to mere slits, watching as she cautiously entered. Her silhouette was illuminated by the dim glow, and for a moment, I was struck by her ethereal beauty.

She approached hesitantly; her footsteps light against the cold stone floor. The scent of her filled my senses, stirring emotions I'd long suppressed. As she neared, her face became clearer-the gentle curve of her jaw, the determined set of her lips, the vulnerability in her eyes.

Her fingers brushed against my filthy arm, and an involuntary shiver ran through me. It took every ounce of willpower not to react. Flint whimpered, noting the absence of the sparks that once ignited at her touch.

"She feels nothing for us now," he lamented. "You've destroyed that connection." I pushed the thought aside as she began inspecting the chains. The clank of metal on metal told me she'd found bolt cutters or some tool to free me. Hope flickered-a fragile, desperate thing.

Just then, a gust of air from the open doorway caused me to sway slightly. The motion turned me to face her directly. My eyes met hers, wide and filled with horror.

"You?" she gasped, her voice barely more than a whisper. Fear and disbelief laced her tone, each word trembling.novelbin

The bolt cutters slipped from her grasp, crashing onto the concrete floor with a resounding clang that echoed through the chamber, shattering any illusion of rescue.

"I can hear you breathing," she snorted, attempting to mask her fear with disdain when I quickly closed them, hoping she hadn't noticed me watching her and assumed I was still the helpless being she was about to save.

"Lottie?" I mustered a weak grin, my voice raspy from disuse. "Nice of you to stop by," I croaked, forcing a casual tone that belied the turmoil inside me.

Her gaze swept over me, taking in my dishevelled appearance. Despite the layers of grime and the stench of neglect clinging to me, she looked impeccable. Pregnancy had only enhanced her beauty-the soft glow of her skin, the fullness of her form. Apang of something between admiration and regret twisted in my chest.

"I see you've fully embraced the whale look," I sneered, masking my true feelings behind a facade of indifference. She raised an eyebrow, unamused.

"I see you've fully embraced the scummy lifestyle you so loved," she retorted sharply. "You smell of death. Ironic, considering the reason you're here."

"Really?" I let out a hollow laugh. Her eyes hardened with rage.

"You tried to kill my mates, you wanted to kill Bash, you did kill my Alpha..." She paused, the weight of her words settling. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face-perhaps realising he was no longer her Alpha.

"Tried and failed," I admitted with a shrug that sent a jolt of pain through my shoulders. "So, cut a guy some slack, please." I attempted to sound nonchalant, but desperation seeped into my voice. "Besides, that was all your father." At the mention of Anthony, her expression shifted-jaw tightening, eyes narrowing.

"That man is not my father," she snapped, though a flicker of pain betrayed her.

"That's good," I said smoothly. "Because if you think I look bad, you should see him. He may as well be dead." Her façade cracked ever so slightly, a mix of concern and anger flashing across her features. Flint growled disapprovingly. "Stop manipulating her," he warned. "Haven't you done enough?" I ignored him, pressing on.

"If you let me down, I can take you to him..." I began, my voice edging on coaxing.

Her eyes flashed with something dangerous. Before I could react, a searing pain exploded at the back of my skull My vision blurred, darkness creeping in from the edges. The last thing saw was her standing over me, a mixture of disgust and determination etched on her face.

"You never learn," Flint whispered as consciousness slipped away. The world faded into oblivion, leaving me alone once more in the darkness.