Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)

Chapter 230 - 228: Sorry about that.

The moment Athena stepped outside, she spotted Rhydric sitting on the edge of the pool, a cigar resting between his fingers. Smoke curled lazily around him as he stared into the water, his posture relaxed but unreadable.

She walked over and sat beside him, dipping her legs into the pool. The cool water lapped gently against her skin.

He clearly noticed her, but he didn’t turn. He just kept smoking, the smoke slipping out through his nose and mouth in slow exhales.

Athena glanced at him several times but he didn’t react.

"Do you always smoke like that?" she finally asked.

"Why do you care?" he replied at last, turning his head to look at her.

"I don’t care," she muttered, looking away. "I’m just asking."

The words came out softer than she intended.

She stared at the ripples in the water, her brows knitting together.Why was he acting so distant?

Rhydric took another slow drag from the cigar, the ember glowing briefly before dimming again.

"You look pale," he said.

Athena’s shoulders stiffened. She kept on looking away and moving her legs in the water, watching the ripples scatter. "Why do you care?" She threw his words back at him.

A corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk.

"Why are you laughing?" she asked, frowning.

"Nothing."

Silence settled between them for a while.

Athena inhaled finally, then let it out slowly. "I’m sorry."

He glanced at her. "Why are you apologizing?"

Her fingers curled against the edge of the pool. "I’ve caused a lot of damage between you and your friends. And I’m really sorry for that." Her voice dropped, quieter now. "I... I just can’t control how I feel."

Rhydric went still. And for a long moment, he didn’t speak.

"You think all of this is on you?" he asked.He exhaled slowly through his nose.

"Theo is trying not to hurt you, so he’s keeping his distance. Azrael is your mate... and he definitely can’t let go." His jaw tightened. "I didn’t suddenly become distant because of you. I became distant because if I don’t... I won’t hold back. And Eryx—" he scoffed softly, "Eryx is just jealous. Vulnerable. The kind of guy who reacts to the smallest things."

Athena’s throat tightened. "I never wanted to come between you."

"You think I don’t know that?" he asked, staring at her.

She finally looked at him. And for the first time since she came outside, he didn’t look away.

"Feelings don’t ask for permission," he continued quietly. "They don’t wait for the right timing or the right people. They just show up... and make a big mess."

Her eyes burned. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

Rhydric leaned back, bracing his hands behind him, staring at the water. "You don’t have to do anything. Just..." He paused. "Don’t blame yourself for what grown men fail to handle properly."

The water stilled as Athena stopped moving her legs. "And you?" she asked softly. "Why are you pulling away?"

He hesitated, just a second too long. "Because," he said at last, his voice lower now, "if I don’t keep my distance... and I even kiss you..." he swallowed, "I won’t know when to stop, Athena."

Her heart skipped violently at his words.

He looked away and took a deep inhale from the cigar again.

Without thinking, Athena reached out, pulled the cigar from his mouth, and tossed it aside.

"Stop it," she said quietly. "Stop trying to be a bad boy you’re not."

Rhydric’s eyes lingered on her, stunned for just a moment, like he hadn’t expected her to act so boldly. Then, slowly, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Athena avoided his gaze, looking everywhere except his direction.

Athena’s voice cut through again. "I... kissed Theo," she muttered.

Rhydric watched her for a very long time and it felt like he would explode but he didn’t. He only nodded slowly, almost thoughtfully.

"When was that?" he asked.

"This morning..." Her voice wavered. "I probably sound like a fool right now. I kissed Azrael... kissed Eryx... and now Theo too?"

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze darkening. "Do you want to kiss me too?"

He didn’t know where all this was coming from. All he knew was the moment she said she kiss Theo too, a sense of possession gripped him and he wanted to kiss her too. Why should he be the only one left out? He wants to kiss her too just like Theo, Azrael and Eryx did.

Athena froze. Her chest fluttered violently. Didn’t he just say that if he kissed her he wouldn’t be able to hold back? So why was he asking her, gently, if she wanted it?

"I... I don’t know," she whispered.

"I don’t know about you," he said slowly, "but I definitely want to kiss the shit out of you."

Before she could process it, he closed the distance in a heartbeat, capturing her lips with his.

Athena’s body ignited instantly, heat pooled from her lower belly to her panties.

What the fuck? she thought, caught completely off guard.

She was about to deepen the kiss, letting herself get lost in it, when he pulled away sharply.

"Sorry about that," he said tightly, his jaw clenched.

Without another word, he stood and walked away, leaving her trembling where she sat.

Rhydric stormed into his room and slammed the door shut. He stripped off his clothes in one sharp motion, then stepped into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, he leaned back slightly as the water cascaded over him, taking his little brother in his hand and stroking it hard.

A low groan ripped from his throat as he let himself get lost in the moment, heat and frustration twisting together in a tight knot inside him.

Fuck... Why did he fall for her charm? Why did he kiss her? He shouldn’t have.

He knew the moment he let himself fall, he wouldn’t be able to turn back. The knowledge set his blood on fire.