Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 323

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.

"It doesn't feel safe with you either," I shot back.

"Charlotte," his eyes narrowed. "This is not the time for stubbornness."

The commotion behind us grew louder—a cacophony of growls and clashes reverberating through the tunnel. Nera growled softly, her hackles rising as she positioned herself protectively in front of me.

Astaroth's composure cracked ever so slightly.

"Enough delays!" he snapped, reaching out to grab my arm.

"Don't touch me!" Instinctively, I yanked my arm back. Before 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 hit the ground and eating into the stone like acid.

"What are you?" I screamed, stumbling back in horror. I knew he was a demon, but the smell of his blood was more than chaos... it was death.

Astaroth glared at Nera, his eyes burning with fury. With a flick of his wrist, a surge of dark energy slammed into her. Nera howled in agony, her body collapsing at my feet.

I nodded, a mix of relief and shock coursing through me.

"Yes," I managed to say. Rolo's gaze shifted back to Astaroth, his body tense and ready to strike. I moved to stand beside him, my hand resting gently on his fur. The moment my fingers touched his coat, tingles of the mate bond danced up my arm, enveloping me in a sense of safety and belonging. The warmth radiating from him steadied me, anchoring me in the surreal chaos unfolding. For the first time since entering these tunnels, I felt truly secure.

Astaroth rose slowly, wiping the black blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Impressive," he murmured, his eyes flickering with something akin to wariness. He extended his hand toward Rolo, dark tendrils of magic spiralling from his fingertips. But as the shadows reached Rolo, they dissipated into nothingness. Astaroth's eyes widened in surprise.

"How...?" he muttered, taking a step back.

"Looks like your tricks aren't working," I stated, a newfound confidence swelling within me. He glanced between us, calculating.

"You don't know what you're meddling in," he warned.

"Then maybe you should start explaining," I retorted, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.

"This is bigger than you realise, Charlotte." Astaroth's composure wavered, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his gaze.

"Enlighten me," I challenged as he hesitated, his eyes darting to the portal. The sounds of battle from the tunnels grew closer—snarls and shouts echoing ominously. “It is now or never, demon.”