Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)

Chapter 235 - 234: Is Athena with you?

Leo doubled over, slapping the table with his hand. "What? She just said that out of nowhere?"

Levi shrugged, cheeks flushing. "I’m serious! I didn’t even know how to respond."

Armand leaned back, chuckling. "That’s some bold energy right there. You sure she wasn’t joking?"

"No joke," Levi argued, lifting his food with a grin. "Dead serious. Straight up said, ’Be my boyfriend.’ Like, I’m supposed to just agree or something?"

Alaric shook his head, amusement in his eyes. "Bro, I’d probably run."

Armand grinned, reaching for his drink. "Welcome to high school chaos," he said lightly.

And they all bursted into laughter again.

Then Leo’s laughter faded a little as he glanced around the cafeteria. "Have you guys seen Athena?" he asked suddenly. "She was in school earlier... but she’s not here."

The table went quiet for half a second.

Alaric frowned, scanning the room instinctively. "No. I haven’t seen her since this morning."

Armand’s smirk slipped. "Same. Maybe she’s with Azrael or Theo by now."

Levi leaned back in his chair, rolling his shoulders. "Maybe she skipped lunch?"

Leo frowned, confusion etched across his face.

"Why would she do that?"

Before anyone could answer, a shadow fell over their table. They all looked up at the same time and froze.

"Felicia?" Armand said, eyebrows shooting up.

She shifted awkwardly on her feet. "Uh... hi, guys."

"Sit," Levi said immediately, pulling a chair out with his foot.

Felicia hesitated, then sat, twisting her fingers together.

Alaric studied her. "You’ve been in school since morning. How come we haven’t seen you?"

Her cheeks flushed. She looked down at the table, clearly uncomfortable. "I’ve been... avoiding you people," she admitted. "I’m kind of embarrassed to show my face after what I did."

The table went quiet for a long moment, everyone watching her carefully.

Levi finally spoke softly, breaking the tension. "It’s okay, Felicia. Everybody makes mistakes."

Leo nodded. "Yeah. Just... own up, apologize if you have to, and move on."

Felicia bit her lip, then nodded slowly. "I—I do. I owe Athena an apology."

Alaric leaned back slightly, his eyes softening. "Have you... seen her today?"

Felicia shook her head, a small frown forming. "I tried to look for her, but I couldn’t find her anywhere."

The group exchanged glances, the worry for Athena unspoken but heavy in the air.

Armand, meanwhile, just kept on staring at her and she caught him staring and she looked away embarrassed.

After school...

Azrael sat in the car, his fingers drumming impatiently on the steering wheel. Normally, Athena would be at the car by now, ready to head home. But twenty minutes had passed, and she still hadn’t appeared.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. It rang once... twice... but went straight to voicemail. He tried again and again, his jaw tightening each time. Still response.

Frustrated, he pull the phone from his ear and dialed Theo instead. Maybe she was with him, who knows?

Theo picked up on the second ring. "What’s up, man?"

Azrael’s voice was tight. "Where’s Athena? She’s supposed to meet me at the car, and I’ve been waiting forever."

There was a pause on the line. "She... hasn’t come by? I haven’t seen her either." Theo’s tone carried a hint of concern.

Azrael ran a hand through his hair, leaning back in his seat. "I’ve called her a dozen times. No response. Something seems off."

Theo sighed. "Alright... I’ll try to find her. Maybe she’s with her friends or... you know, just lost track of time."

Azrael’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Don’t take too long. I don’t like waiting."

Theo chuckled softly. "Yeah, yeah. I got it. I’ll let you know."

Azrael ended the call, eyes scanning the school parking lot. Something in him refused to relax until he knew Athena was safe.

===========================

A few minutes later, Theo walked up to the parking lot and opened the passenger seat, got in and say down.

"I couldn’t find her," he said, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I met some girls on my way, and I asked. They said she came to their class, that’s Rhydric’s class and left without a word."

Azrael’s jaw tightened, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "Why would she go to Rhydric’s class?" His voice was sharp, tinged with worry.

"I don’t know," Theo admitted, concern flickering in his eyes. "Maybe we should call Rhydric first, see if she’s with him."

"Okay." Azrael’s fingers drummed on the steering wheel, restless.

Theo dialed Rhydric’s number, his face slightly tense as it rang. Rhydric picked up. "What up? Is Athena with you?"

"Why would she be with me?" Rhydric’s tone was casual, almost indifferent.

"Some students said she came to your class earlier today. Maybe she was looking for you."

"She isn’t with me. We talked this morning at the den, but she left."

Azrael’s eyes narrowed dangerously. His heart pounded in his chest as he snatched the phone from Theo. "What did you two talk about?"

Rhydric went silent for a moment, and Azrael could feel his irritation building. "I don’t think it’s something you’d want to know," Rhydric finally said.

Azrael’s hands tightened on the phone, knuckles white, a low growl forming in his throat. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" His voice was a mixture of frustration and suspicion.

"What we talked about has nothing to do with her missing, okay?" Rhydric said firmly.

"And what if it does?" Azrael shot back, his heart hammering, the fear of not knowing twisting in his chest.

"It’s not," Rhydric said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Theo, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally rolled his eyes and snapped at both of them. "Enough! Both of you are acting like children. Focus on finding her instead of arguing!"

He paused, taking a deep breath, then added, "Rhydric, let’s talk at my house."

Rhydric went silent at the other end for a while before answering. "Fine," he said, his tone flat but carrying a hint of resignation.

Azrael clenched his fists, frustration still simmering beneath the surface, but he knew Theo was right. They couldn’t waste time bickering, they needed to find Athena.

Theo sighed, giving a quick glance to Azrael. "Let’s move. Now."