Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 324

Lottie's POV

Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the chamber as the tunnel behind us began to collapse. Dust billowed out, and the ground trembled violently beneath our feet. Stones and rubble tumbled down, threatening to seal off our only exit. My eyes widened in alarm as I realised we might be trapped.

"The tunnels!" I shouted, gripping Rolo's fur tightly. The warmth of his body was reassuring, but as my fingers sank into his fur, I felt a strange tingling sensation. A sharp sting coursed through my hand where Astaroth's black blood had splattered onto Rolo, and now onto me. Panic surged—what if his acid-like blood hurt him?

"They're collapsing!" Astaroth's gaze shifted between us and the imminent wall of debris. Black blood still oozed from the wound Rolo had inflicted, dripping onto the floor and sizzling ominously. Every drop that hit the ground hissed and melted the stone, leaving tiny craters in its wake.

"Time is running out," he said urgently, his voice strained. "Make your choice!"

Before I could respond, the door behind us groaned under the pressure of a collapsing passage somewhere. Splinters flew as cracks spiderwebbed across its surface. The roar of the falling rocks grew louder, drowning out all other sounds. Astaroth was right; we were nearly out of time.

"What do we do?" I whispered, panic seeping into my voice as I looked at Rolo, hoping for a solution. He growled slowly, his eyes never leaving Astaroth. I could feel his muscles tensing beneath my hand, ready to pounce.

"There's no time," Astaroth cut me off urgently. "If you stay, everything is at risk." Rolo growled, taking a threatening step forward.

"Easy, Rolo," I murmured, trying to calm him. "We need to think." My heart pounded as I felt the slight burn where his fur was damp with Astaroth's blood. Was it affecting him too?

"Then tell me why it is so important I cross through," I demanded as Astaroth held up his hands defensively. Rolo's growl deepened, echoing in the chamber like thunder. He bared his teeth, a clear warning to the demon.

"Very well," he conceded, watching Rolo cautiously. "But remember, you wanted this." He warned, but in truth, I wasn't sure what I wanted more than getting out of here safely with my mate and Nera, but I crossed my arms, tapping my foot carefully, trying to appear composed. Inside, fear gnawed at me—the ceiling could come crashing down any moment, burying us alive. I stole a glance at Nera, who lay at my feet, slowly regaining consciousness. Relief mingled with worry—she needed time to recover.

"Be careful," Sage warned as the floor rumbled under Rolo's movements.

"We can't afford any missteps," she added, her usual confidence tinged with concern.

"The portal leads to a realm where your true potential can be unlocked—a place where you can learn to harness the full extent of your heritage," Astaroth cut my inner reflections off as he sighed, as if sharing this was a great hardship. His eyes bore into mine, searching for a reaction.

"And you were just going to take me there without telling me?" I asked incredulously, pushing my fears down and dealing with the problem at hand. Getting out of here... safely.

"You're full..." He began, but I growled, silencing him with a hard stare.

Fear tightened my chest—Not her too.

"FOCUS!" Astaroth roared. "For once, stop thinking of others and focus.."

"What do you want me to say?" I groaned, placing a hand on my tight stomach as the pups moved restlessly.

"I will explain, but not yet," Astaroth offered, clicking his fingers to get my attention while his eyes shot to the ceiling as more rubble crumbled down. "The portal hasn't got much longer, Charlotte."

"Why? Tell me, for goddess's sake! Why do I need to go through it, I can just leave.. With Rolo and Nera!" I sucked down a groan seeing him look from me to the doorway that was slowly filling with rubble.

"Unless you have some amazing reason for me to go, because I'm fed up with feeling confused," I admitted, feeling the rage build inside me. Rolo sensed my upset and frustration, stepping between me and Astaroth. His growl reverberated through the chamber, a clear sign he wouldn't tolerate any more of Astaroth's evasions. I placed a soothing hand on his back, wincing slightly as the residual burn from the demon's blood seared my skin. "Please, Rolo," I whispered. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"It is safer if you don't know yet," he insisted. "Knowledge can be a burden."

"Or a weapon," I countered. I shook my head in astonishment that people still seemed to think I couldn't handle myself. Had I not proved myself time and time again?