Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 169 - 167: Perfect teamwork

The next morning, Athena woke to an empty bed.

She blinked sleepily, her hand instinctively reaching for Azrael’s warmth, only to find cool sheets instead.

With a small frown, she rolled onto her back, hair sticking out in every possible direction, strands falling into her eyes until she looked like she’d survived a small storm in her sleep.

Groaning, she dragged herself up and padded into the walk-in closet. And there he was.

Azrael stood in the middle of the room. He was wearing a white loose shirt that flexed his hard chest. He calmly folded the clothes and placing them into an open suitcase.

Everything was neat. Like he’d been at this for a while.

The moment he noticed her reflection in the mirror, his lips stretched into a wide, amused grin. He paused, tilted his head, then shook it slowly.

"Wow," he said, clearly entertained. "Not my mate looking this hot first thing in the morning."

Athena narrowed her eyes at him, unimpressed. "Please," she muttered, pushing hair out of her face as she walked closer. "I know I look like a high-ranked monster, so don’t disguise insults as compliments."

Azrael laughed, the sound warm and effortless, and stepped toward her. He reached out, gently tucking a wild strand of hair behind her ear.

"You look beautiful regardless," he said simply.

Her irritation melted immediately. She smiled despite herself, eyes soft as she glanced at the suitcase. "Why are you packing my clothes?" she asked. "What about yours?"

"Already packed," he replied smoothly, nodding toward another suitcase she hadn’t noticed earlier.

She blinked, then nodded slowly. "Of course you did."

Azrael turned back to the suitcase, completely unbothered. "I also helped with the important things."

Athena paused. "...Important things?"

He looked at her, with an innocent expression. "Your panties. And bras."

Her face went red instantly.

What the fuck?

"You—what?" she sputtered.

Azrael hummed thoughtfully, as if this were a perfectly normal topic. "I just have one question, though."

She stared at him, mortified. "Azrael."

"Why," he continued calmly, "do you like wearing net underwear so much?"

Athena choked on absolutely nothing. She coughed, slapped a hand over her mouth, then glared at him with burning cheeks. "Are you trying to kill me this early in the morning?"

Azrael’s grin turned downright smug. "No," he said. "Just curious."

She muttered something incoherent under her breath while he laughed, completely pleased with himself.

Athena shut her eyes, mortified. Her ears burned, red as tomatoes.

"I like it because... I like it."

He hummed thoughtfully. "That’s not a good reason."

She opened her eyes and glared at him. "Then what do you want me to say?"

He shrugged, still far too pleased with himself.

Athena huffed, throwing her hands up. "Fine. I hate cotton panties, and I like net panties. There. There’s absolutely no deep reason. I just like them."

Azrael smiled slowly and nodded, as if he’d just won something important. "Mm. Thought so."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Was that the reason you bought me net panties the first time you got me clothes?"

That did it. His expression softened into something almost boyish, a little sheepish, a lot amused.

"Oh. About that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guessed."

Athena blinked. "You guessed."

He nodded. "Yeah. Remember your first day at school? In the cafeteria?"

Her stomach dropped. No no no don’t remember that please...

"You were wearing a net bra," he continued casually. "So I just... assumed. And turns out, I was right."

Athena groaned and covered her face, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

Azrael burst out laughing the moment he saw her expression. "What?" he teased. "You embarrassed?"

"Don’t you dare." she muttered into her hands.

"You were a complete badass that day," he went on, unabashed. "Honestly? That was when I fell head over heels for you."

Athena let out a muffled sound of pure suffering. "Shut the fuck up, Azrael."

His laughter only grew louder. "Okay, okay," he said, still chuckling. "I’ll stop teasing you."

She slowly lowered her hands, shoulders relaxing just a little.

Then he tilted his head, eyes innocent. "So... do you use tampons or pads?"

"Azrael!" Athena screamed, swatting his chest as hard as she could, face flaming all over again.

He laughed, catching her wrists easily. "What? It’s a harmless question. You’re the one with the rotten mind."

She stared at him in disbelief. Was he really dumping that on her now?

Athena stared at him like she was deciding whether to commit murder before breakfast. "You are disgusting."

He laughed, deep and unapologetic, the sound filling the closet. "You’re the one screaming. That sounds like a rotten mind to me."

She gaped at him. "Excuse me? You ask that out of nowhere and I’m the problem?"

"Yes," he said smoothly. "Absolutely."

Athena lunged at him again, smacking his chest, this time harder. "You are lucky, you’re my mate... else I would have murdered you."

He caught her wrists easily, tugging her closer until she was flush against him. "Oh, really?" he said, grin lazy and confident. "you can’t get rid of me that easily, even if you want to."

Her face burned hotter. "Let go of me."

"Nope." He leaned down, brushing his nose against her hair. "I’m enjoying this."

She huffed, trying, and failing to pull free. "You’re impossibe."

"And you’re adorable when you’re flustered," he replied, finally releasing her, only to tap her forehead lightly.

"Relax. I promise I won’t ask anything else... questionable."

She eyed him suspiciously. "That didn’t sound convincing at all."

He crossed his heart dramatically. "Scout’s honor."

Athena rolled her eyes and turned back to the closet. "Finish packing before I change my mind about this vacation."

Azrael watched her for a second, expression softening, then nodded. "Alright, boss."

She paused, then glanced back at him. "But if you tease me in public like this—"

"I’ll deserve whatever punishment you choose?" he offered.

Her lips twitched despite herself. "Exactly."

He smiled, wide and warm. "See? Perfect teamwork."