Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 116 - 115: Feelings for two

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet garden, the tension between Eryx and Athena settling like a storm cloud just overhead.

Athena’s heart thudded in her chest, and she instinctively glanced at Eryx, unsure of what he was going to say next.

Eryx’s gaze didn’t waver from hers. He ran a hand through his hair, as if trying to find the words that could make this less unbearable.

"I... don’t even know where to start," he admitted, voice low, raw. "And I know you’re probably going to be annoyed with me after this, but I need you to understand... I didn’t take advantage of you."

Athena’s chest tightened at his words, her hands clutching the folds of her white gown.

Eryx stepped closer, his presence heavy, unwavering. "If I wanted... if I wanted to sleep with you, I would’ve done it. We were alone in that room... but I didn’t."

He paused, swallowing hard, letting the weight of what he just said hang between them. "I know we made out. We kissed...we made out. And... yeah, I get it, to you it might’ve felt like you betrayed Oliver. But... if I’m being completely honest... I liked every single bit of it."

Athena froze, her stomach twisting. His words weren’t careless or teasing, they were raw, admitted in a way that made her heart pound. She wanted to speak, to ask him how he could say something so bold, so... honest, but no words came.

Eryx let out a quiet breath, his jaw tight, his eyes searching hers. "I’m not trying to complicate things. I just... I needed you to know the truth. About me. About last night. About how I feel..."

The air around them felt colder, but somehow the tension was almost... intimate. Athena could feel it settling around them, the weight of unspoken truths pressing against her chest, and she realized she didn’t know how to respond.

Eryx hesitated, his molten gold eyes flicking to the ground for a heartbeat before meeting hers again. His usual cockiness softened, replaced with a rare vulnerability.

He took a cautious step closer, closing the distance between them, and gently took her hand in his. His touch was firm yet soft, as if holding something precious.

"We... we can actually make this real," he began, his voice low and deliberate. "Be mine, Athena. Let me be yours. I’ll... I’ll give you everything. I’ll get you the moon if that’s what you want. I’ll..." He swallowed hard, his eyes searching hers. "I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe, happy... and no one, ever, can hurt you again."

Athena’s breath caught. She froze, her mind swirling with guilt, confusion, and a faint, unexpected warmth at the edge of her chest. She wanted to tell him not to say such a thing, but the words died in her throat before she could even speak. She could only stare at him, letting him hold her hand, her fingers twitching nervously in his grip.

"I’m not asking for a promise right now," Eryx continued, his voice steady despite the intensity in his gaze. "I just... I want you to know that if you let me, I’ll be here. For everything. You don’t have to face any of it alone."

Athena’s eyes widened slightly, a lump forming in her throat. Her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Oh...fuck Eryx for making her heart tumble.

"Athena... you don’t have to decide now," he said finally, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand, grounding her. "But... I mean it. I’ll make you mine, and I’ll protect you. You just have to let me."

Athena’s hand trembled in his grasp, and slowly, she pulled away. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her voice cracked, heavy with guilt.

"You... you don’t understand, do you?" she whispered, stepping back slightly, keeping her distance yet unable to tear her eyes away from him. "This... this isn’t about me. Or what I feel." She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "It’s about... not hurting that one person. The one who’s been there for me... the one who trusts me more than anyone... more than himself."

Eryx’s jaw tightened, the words hitting him like a physical blow. He opened his mouth, about to argue, to tell her he understood, but he paused. He could see the storm in her eyes, the guilt and the anguish she was carrying. He could feel the weight of it, heavy and suffocating. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Then... tell me," he said finally, his voice quieter now, almost pleading. "Tell me what I can do. Don’t shut me out, Athena. Please."

Her lips quivered, and she looked down, shaking her head. "You can’t... no one can fix this. I have to... I have to deal with it myself. I can’t... not yet."

Eryx’s hand hovered near hers, uncertain if he should reach out again. The sharp edge of frustration and the ache of wanting to protect her clawed at him, but he held back. He nodded slowly, letting her words sink in, even as his heart throbbed with a mix of helplessness and determination.

"I’ll wait," he said softly, voice steady but filled with raw emotion. "I’ll wait... however long it takes. But I’m not leaving you, Athena. Not ever."

Athena swallowed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. For a moment, she just stared at him. Then slowly....Athena shook her head, her tears spilling freely now, and her voice trembled as she spoke.

"No... don’t wait for me," she whispered, stepping back though her body still trembled. "It’s not worth it, Eryx. I... I’m going to keep hurting everyone around me. I can’t... I can’t let you, anyone...get caught up in this mess. You deserve better than me."

Her hands shook at her sides, and she buried her face in them for a moment, as if trying to hold herself together. The guilt radiated off her in waves, suffocating, almost tangible.

Eryx’s eyes softened but darkened with intensity at the same time. He didn’t hesitate as he closed the distance between them in a single step. He moved his hand and use it to guild her hands down her face. He gently wiped the tears from her cheek and Athena almost broke again as she stared at him.

"You think that’s what’s going to protect me?" he asked quietly, his voice breaking just slightly. "Athena... I don’t care about the hurt. I don’t care about the mess. I care about you. That’s it. Only you."

She blinked, trembling, unable to speak, her lips parting slightly as sobs caught in her throat.

"You’re wrong," she whispered, voice breaking, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I’ll only drag you down with me. I’ve... I’ve hurt so many people already. I can’t... I can’t do it to you too."

Eryx’s thumb brushed her tears away, his hand lingering on her cheek. "Listen to me," he said, voice fierce but gentle. "I don’t care about the past. I don’t care about the hurt. You don’t get to decide that for me. I’m not walking away, Athena. I won’t. You’re not alone in this."

Her body shook violently, the sobs escaping her uncontrollably, and she pressed her forehead against his chest, as if trying to anchor herself in him. "I... I don’t deserve you," she choked out.

Eryx wrapped both arms around her tightly, holding her like he could shield her from the world. "Stop saying that," he murmured into her hair, voice thick with emotion. "You’re worth everything to me. And I’ll fight for you... every damn day, Athena. Even if you think it’s impossible, even if you try to push me away. I’m here. Always."

Her tears soaked his shirt, her body trembling in his embrace.

From the corner of the garden, Theodore leaned against the cold glass wall, his arms folded, observing without a sound. He didn’t intervene not because he didn’t care, but because this moment belonged entirely to them.

His sharp eyes followed every motion: Athena’s trembling hands brushing against Eryx’s chest, the slight quiver in her shoulders, the tears she didn’t bother to hide. And Eryx’s hands around her, anchoring her. Theodore’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t jealous, not truly, but it was impossible to ignore the unmistakable truth written across her face...confusion, longing, guilt, desire all intertwined in ways that were impossible to untangle.

And yet... the same look had been in her eyes when she spoke to him last night. That flicker of desire, trust, curiousity. Seeing it now, mirrored back at someone else, unsettled him in a way he didn’t like.

He shifted slightly, just enough to rest his gaze, letting his mind wander to a thought he couldn’t ignore. She’s drawn to Eryx...she likes him, even a blind person could see it. She wants something from him she won’t admit to herself. And yet... there’s a part of her that looks at him(Theodore)like that too. That trust, that openness... it’s confusing, maddening even.

A sharp pang pressed against his chest, and he realized that it wasn’t jealousy at least, not the petty, possessive kind. It was something quieter, something heavier. He cared for her in ways that went beyond attraction or curiosity. He wanted her to be safe, to be understood, to find herself without the burden of guilt pressing her down. And yet, he couldn’t reach her...not now, not with Eryx standing between them in this pivotal moment.

Theodore exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain a silent observer. He could step in, He could protect her, but would that really help? Or would it just complicate everything further? No. Sometimes the right thing was to stay on the sidelines, to let her navigate her own heart, even if it tore his own chest a little in the process.

So he stayed silent. What he considered the best choice.