Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 165 - 163: Miserable Theodore

Rhydric stood there with his usual cold expression carved into his face like stone.

"Didn’t know you’d finally develop such a ridiculous love for your number one enemy," Rhydric said flatly, even though the sarcasm was unmistakable.

Theo scoffed, turning away. "Not in the mood."

Rhydric didn’t leave. Instead, he walked closer and planted both hands on the lab table, leaning in just enough to invade Theo’s space.

Theo looked back and suddenly it felt like he was being stripped bare.

The way Rhydric stared at him... it was suffocating. Like the Moon Goddess herself was peering straight into his soul, seeing every ugly thought, every weakness he tried so hard to bury.

"Okay, fine," Theo muttered, shifting uncomfortably. "Stop staring at me like that."

Rhydric didn’t move. "Are you going to talk," he demanded, "or do I have to keep guessing what’s eating you alive?"

Theo let out a frustrated groan. "I’d probably sound like a complete fool," he said bitterly. "So no."

Rhydric’s brows pulled together. "Does this have anything to do with the fact that Eryx isn’t picking my calls... and Azrael hasn’t been in school all week?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Theo’s lips twitched.

It had been a week since Eryx showed up at school. A week since Azrael disappeared too. Of course... Athena as well.

Rhydric had called Eryx more times than he could count, he ho no answer. When he finally reached Azrael, all he got was a vague I’m busy, I’ll be back soon.

Theo scoffed softly. Azrael busy?

Sure, busy with his new distraction.

Theo laughed under his breath and shook his head. "You’re overthinking it."

Rhydric narrowed his eyes. "I don’t overthink."

"Yeah, and I’m the Moon Goddess," Theo replied dryly.

Rhydric straightened. "Then explain it."

Theo pushed himself upright, grabbing a cloth to wipe his hands as if suddenly very interested in cleaning. "Azrael might be busy, truly."

Rhydric raised an eyebrow. "Busy with what?"

Theo shrugged casually. "Could be training. Could be a mission. Could be someone pissing him off."

Rhydric studied him closely. "And Eryx?"

Theo’s smile faded for just a second. "Eryx?" he repeated lightly. "He’s dramatic. You know that."

Rhydric didn’t look convinced one bit. He wasn’t a fool. He knows they’re hiding something from him.

Theo laughed again, louder this time, forcing the sound. "Relax. They’re not dead. Probably just dealing with their own shit."

Rhydric exhaled slowly. "You’re acting strange."

Theo flashed him a grin. "Takes one to know one."

Rhydric clicked his tongue and stepped back. "If you know something..."

"I don’t," Theo cut in smoothly. "And even if I did, you’d be the last person I’d tell." he joked.

Rhydric glared at him for a long moment, then finally turned toward the door. "Get some sleep. You look like hell."

Theo waited for him to disappear through the door, but then, to his annoyance, Rhydric stopped.

His hand was already on the handle, when he paused.

He stood there for a second, his shoulders tense, like something was clawing at the back of his mind. Slowly, he turned around.

"Do you know why Athena didn’t show up at school too?" Rhydric asked.

He tried to sound casual. But Theo didn’t miss the slight worry in his voice.

Theo didn’t look at him. He shrugged off the white lab jacket and tossed it aside, his movements sharp.

"I don’t know," he said flatly.

Rhydric frowned. He took a step forward. "Why do I feel like you’re hiding something from me?"

Theo let out a breath through his nose. "Why would I hide something from you?"

"I don’t know," Rhydric said slowly, eyes never leaving him. "But I can feel it. Like there’s something the three of you know that I don’t."

Theo clenched his jaw. "Rhydric, stop being difficult."

Rhydric studied him for a long moment before speaking again, his voice lower now. "I thought we were friends. So why does it feel like I’m being shut out?"

Something in Theo snapped. He turned around so fast the chair behind him scraped loudly against the floor.

"Fine," he said sharply. "You want to know?"

Rhydric stiffened.

"Athena is mated to Azrael," Theo continued, the words cutting straight through the air. "They are fated mate."

The silence materialised into the room.

Theo let out a humourless laughed.

"I feel miserable," he went on, with a shaking voice. "And that sxactly why Eryx hasn’t been in school either. And congratulations... now that you know too, heaven knows what pit you’re about to fall into."

He dragged a hand through his hair, his green eyes was exhausted.

"I’d be a fool to think you didn’t like her too."

Rhydric couldn’t react. He just felt numb from within.

Athena... Azrael’s fated mate?

The words echoed in his head, over and over, like a hammer striking bone.

His chest tightened violently, that it hurts.

So this was heartbreak?

He had heard about it. Seen it. Mocked it.

But feeling it?

It was like something was being ripped straight out of him, leaving nothing but a hollow ache behind.

"You think I wanted to care?" he scoffed. "You think I planned to fall for someone who was never meant to be mine?"

He laughed again, quieter this time. "She smiles and the world makes sense. And now I’m supposed to just... what? Accept it?"

Rhydric stared at him.

Theo stepped closer, his eyes blurred, despite trying to calm himself.

"I tried distracting myself. Work. Places. Anything. Nothing works," he admitted. "Because no matter what I do, she’s still there. In my head. In my heart."

He stopped talking when he realized Rhydric hadn’t moved an inch.

Without hesitation, he turned around and left.

The lab door opened, then closed behind him with a soft, final click that somehow sounded louder than if it had been slammed.

Theodore let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

"Fuck..." he muttered under his breath.

He ran a shaking hand through his hair, fingers tugging hard at the strands as he leaned forward against the lab table.