Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)

Chapter 222 - 220: Don’t be a fucker.

He looked away, frustration and longing twisting his features. "I... I don’t know what to say... but Athena, I love you too. The moment I set eyes on you, I fell... head over heels. Even though I tease you, annoy you... I’ve always loved you."

Athena groaned, throwing her head back. "This... this is so complicated."

Theo let out a soft, breathless laugh and shook his head, disbelief written all over his face. "I never... I never thought this day would come. Hearing you say you love me?"

He scoffed lightly, then went quiet, his voice dropping into a whisper. "I used to joke about it. Tease you. Pretend it didn’t matter."

He looked at her again, really looked at her, his eyes darkening with honest. "But every time you walked into a room, Athena, it was like everything else faded. I hated it. I hated how easy it was for you to get under my skin."

He swallowed, his jaw tightening. "I told myself it was just attraction. Just fun. That I was being stupid. But then I’d see you smile and suddenly I wanted to be the reason for it. I’d see you hurt and it felt like someone punched a hole through my chest."

Theo pulled his hand away from her grip and ran it over his face, frustrated with himself. "Do you know how hard it was watching you with Azrael? With Eryx? Acting like I didn’t care when I cared way too much?"

He laughed again, but this time there was no humor in it as tears blurred his vision. "I kept telling myself, ’It’s fine. She’ll never look at you that way.’ So I stayed the funny one. The tease. The guy who didn’t take anything seriously."

His eyes softened as he stepped closer. "But hearing you say it... hearing you say you love me?" He exhaled shakily. "It feels like winning something I never even let myself hope for."

"And that’s the problem, Athena. Because now that I know... I don’t think I can pretend anymore." His voice cracked a little, but he swallowed his emotions.

Athena’s breath hitched as she listened to him. With every word, it felt like something inside her was unraveling.

Her eyes glistened, and she shook her head slowly, a weak laugh escaping her. "Theo..." she whispered, like saying his name alone might steady her.

Athena stepped closer, her voice dropping as tears blurred her vision. "I never wanted to hurt you. Or him. Or anyone. I tried so hard to bury it, Theo. I really did." Her lips trembled into a sad smile. "But you make me feel... light. Safe. Like I can breathe when everything else is heavy."

She wiped at her tears, frustrated. "And that’s what scares me. Because loving you doesn’t erase what I feel for the others. It just... exists. And I don’t know how to fix that."

She moved closer to him until their chests were touching. "I don’t know how to act normal anymore," she whispered. "And honestly, I don’t think I can pretend anymore."

Theo’s patience snappedHis hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer. "Please don’t." He whispered before he crashed his lips onto hers.

Caught off guard, she gasped as their mouths collided, but instinct took over. She wrapped her arms around his neck, dragging him closer as she deepened the kiss.

Her lips moved hungrily against his, trying to match his pace. Theo was driving her insane with his mouth, and to make everything worse, his tongue slipped inside her mouth, invading every sense she had. Athena moaned loudly into the kiss as his hand came up, grabbing her breasts through the cropped top.

The kiss turned even more desperate as if he was pouring out months of longing and unspoken confession into it.

Theo lifted her off her feet and dropped onto the couch, making her straddle him. The impact sent her short skirt riding up, and she was painfully aware that if he broke the kiss, he’d see her panties.

They finally pulled apart, both breathless. Athena rested her forehead against his, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Theo smiled softly as he gazed into her eyes.

He was about to kiss her again, but Athena barely pulled away, her voice soft as she pleaded, "Can we at least look for Azrael first?"

Theo nodded. "Alright," he said, then paused. "But wait a minute."

Before she could react, he grabbed her again and kissed her intensely. Athena smiled against his lips, kissing him back just as fiercely before finally pulling away.

Theo chuckled when she broke the kiss again. He knew she’s worried so he would let her have her way for now. He brushed his thumb lightly over her cheek. "You’re dangerous," he said, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Athena scoffed, getting off his laps, smoothing down her skirt as if it could hide how flustered she still was. "Please. You started it."

"I absolutely did," he replied, unapologetic. "And I’d do it again."

She shook her head, fighting a smile. "We’re supposed to be looking for Azrael, remember?"

Theo raised his hands in mock surrender. "Right. Mission first. Kissing later."

Athena laughed, the tension easing as she turned toward the door. "Later," she echoed, throwing him a look over her shoulder.

Theo grinned, following after her. "I’m holding you to that."

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Rhydric opened the door to the room and leaned against the frame.

"Are you going to sleep yourself to death or make yourself useful?" he asked flatly.

Azrael didn’t even glance at him. His face, and most of his body was buried under the duvet like the world didn’t exist.

Rhydric clicked his tongue softly and walked in. In one sharp motion, he grabbed the duvet and yanked it off.

"Hey..." Azrael growled, eyes snapping open red with anger. "Fuck off."

Rhydric stared down at him, unimpressed but he could feel how near his wolf was. "In my house? Don’t be a fucker."

Azrael turned his face away, jaw tight, breath uneven as he hugged his fingers into the mattress to hide his claws.