Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 115 - 114: Can you give us some privacy?

Athena and Theodore were sitting in the garden, the sunlight filtering gently through the trees. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. Theodore had ordered a new pair of clothes for her...a simple, white gown that fell respectfully to her knees. It was modest, neat, and surprisingly comfortable, and Athena found herself appreciating the thought behind it.

They sat side by side on the stone bench, the soft rustle of leaves around them providing a quiet backdrop. Theodore leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed, one hand resting on his knee. Athena shifted the folds of her gown, trying not to fidget as she looked around the garden, taking in the serene environment.

"Do you like it?" Theodore asked casually, nodding toward her dress.

"It’s... nice," Athena replied after a moment, glancing at him. "Comfortable, too."

He gave a small nod, satisfied. "Good. Thought it might be easier for you to move around and be comfortable."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, listening to the occasional chirp of birds and the distant hum of the world beyond the garden walls. Neither felt the need to rush into any heavy topics. For now, the moment was just quiet and simple

"You’re quiet today," Theodore said, finally breaking the silence. "I mean you don’t talk much, but you’re more different now."

Athena shook her head lightly. "Just... thinking." She smiled faintly, her gaze wandering back to the flowers. "It’s... nice here and peaceful."

Theodore tilted his head slightly, observing her. "Yeah. It is."

Athena nodded, understanding more than he said. And for a few moments, they just sat there, letting the quiet stretch comfortably between them.

Theodore was scrolling through his phone idly when his eyes widened. He muttered under his breath, "What the actual fuck?"

Athena, curious, leaned over. "What is it?"

He swiped the screen toward her, showing her a video. Her eyes went wide the moment she saw it: Alaric charging at Eryx, shouting like a madman...Athena sucked in a sharp breathe, when Alaric throw a fist at Eryx jaw and to her surprise and satisfaction, Eryx retaliating with a brutal kick to Alaric’s jaw. Her mouth practically hung open when she saw Alaric staggered back, almost falling. Well she didn’t know what happened between them, but Alaric didn’t have the right to just hit Eryx like that. And she was happy Eryx hit him back.

She shouldn’t be happy about something like that, but a part of her liked it.

She pushed the ridiculous thoughts out of her head and continued to watch the video. Then she realised they were actually fighting over her...about the make out incident. And Athena almost cursed under her breath. It wasn’t just the video or the fight that caught her attention the most. It was the comments below it.

"That’s probably what she wanted all along."

"She’s a whore, I’m telling you. Eryx would never have done that if she didn’t seduce him."

"The girl drugged and she still found a way to get herself in his bed. Typical."

"She’s always eyeing every single Phantom Four member. She’s clearly manipulating them all."

Athena’s hands trembled as she scrolled through the venomous comments. Each word felt like a slap, twisting the guilt and shame tighter around her chest. She had already felt small, vulnerable, and now seeing the judgment, the assumptions... it was almost too much to bear.

Theodore noticed the way her hands shook and her eyes burned with unshed tears. He closed the phone gently, placing it beside her. "Don’t...don’t read that," he said firmly, his voice low but steady. "It doesn’t matter what they say. It’s all lies. None of it is true."

Athena blinked, swallowing hard, trying to steady her breath. "But they... they’re all saying it... everyone’s saying it..."

He shook his head, cutting her off. "No. They don’t know the truth. You’re the one who lived it. And that’s all that matters."

She looked down at her hands, still trembling. "But they don’t care. They’ll believe the worst. About me. About him."

Theodore’s gaze hardened, his hand brushing over hers in reassurance. "Let them believe whatever they want. You know the truth, I know the truth. That’s all that matters. And I won’t let anyone hurt you with their lies."

Athena exhaled shakily, trying to let his words sink in, but the echo of the comments still lingered in her mind.

Theodore placed a steady hand on her shoulder, anchoring her. "Focus on what matters, Athena. Forget the rest. Don’t let them define you."

For a moment, Athena let herself process his words...Suddenly, a shadow fell across the garden. Both Theodore and Athena turned, startled, to see Eryx standing not far away from where they’re sitting. Athena froze, her chest tightening.

Both Athena and Theodore stood up in unison.

Theodore’s eyes sharpened instantly, his posture shifting. Without thinking, he stepped slightly in front of her and gripped her hand protectively, his fingers tightening around hers. His gaze locked on Eryx’s.

Eryx’s eyes flicked down to Theodore’s hand on Athena, and for the first time, his face hardened into a look she hadn’t seen before something sharp and dangerous.

The two men stood there, frozen in the tension, the cold wind swirling lightly around them.

Athena’s hand felt small between them, caught in the silent war brewing in the garden. Her heart hammered as she looked from one to the other, realizing that the storm between them was about to collide and she was the center of it.

Was all of this necessary?

"Eryx," Theodore finally said, his voice low and steady. "what are you doing here?"

Eryx’s voice was dark. "I could ask the same thing." His eyes never left Athena. "Why is he holding your hand?"

Theodore’s grip on her hand didn’t falter. "Because I’m not letting anyone..." he paused, letting the weight of his words hang between them, "harm her, in any way." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Eryx’s expression darkened further, the air around him tense with unspoken threat. "Harm her? That’s rich," he muttered under his breath, though Athena caught the edge of venom in it.

Athena swallowed hard, feeling the storm of their emotions before any words were spoken. Her fingers tightened slightly around Theodore’s hand, unsure of what to do.

Eryx’s dark eyes almost rolled, a sharp edge to his expression. "I’m not here for you, Theo," he said, his voice low but cutting through the crisp air. "I need to speak to Athena. Can you give us some privacy?"

Theodore’s gaze flicked to Athena, searching her eyes. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, confirming she understood.

Theodore exhaled slowly, his jaw tight, and said firmly, "You better keep your hands to yourself." His tone left no room for argument.