Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 180 - 178: Shit fuck Azrael for that

Rhydric huffed. "Says the guy who won’t shut up."

A small smile tugged at Ian’s lips. "Just don’t lose yourself in the process."

Rhydric lifted his glass again, eyes distant. "I already lost something," he said quietly. "I’m just making sure it doesn’t cost me everything else."

Silence wrapped around them for a while.

Ian broke the silence first. "You know," he said casually, though his eyes stayed sharp, "this isn’t going to end cleanly."

Rhydric gave a short, humorless laugh. "Yeah."

"You’re talking like this is already a war."

"It will be," Rhydric replied without hesitation. "The moment word gets out that Azrael’s mate is human? That she’s loved, and wanted by more than just him?" His jaw tightened. "People won’t just watch. They’ll test boundaries."

Ian leaned back against the bar. "And you’ll step in."

Rhydric’s gaze slid to the crowded dance floor, unfocused. "I’m already in."

Ian frowned. "She doesn’t even know you like her, does she?"

"No," Rhydric said.

Ian studied him, then shook his head slowly. "You’re really choosing the hardest path."

Rhydric shrugged. "It’s the only one that lets me sleep at night."

Ian smirked faintly. "That bad, huh?"

Rhydric shot him a look. "Don’t."

Ian raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. But tell me something, if Azrael ever slips up... if he ever fails to protect her..."

"He won’t," Rhydric cut in sharply.

Ian paused, then nodded. "You trust him that much?"

"Yes," he said finally. "That’s exactly why this hurts."

Ian let out a quiet breath. "Damn."

Rhydric straightened, rolling his neck once. "Enough about me. Keep your ears open. If you hear anything, rumors, movements, anything involving Athena, you tell me first."

Ian’s expression turned serious. "Yes boss."

Rhydric reached for the bottle again, then stopped, pushing it away instead. "I should go."

Ian blinked. "You? Leaving early?"

"Yeah," Rhydric said, already standing.

Ian watched him for a second, then nodded. "Try not to break yourself being honorable."

Rhydric paused, glancing back at him. "Honor’s the only thing keeping me human," he said quietly.

Then he turned and walked out of the club.

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

Azrael took Athena to one of the finest restaurants in the valley. He had prepared a private dinner, just the two of them, away from everything and everyone.

His hand stayed firmly wrapped around hers as he led her toward the elevator,their fingers laced together like he was afraid she might slip away if he loosened his grip.

The moment they stepped inside and the doors slid shut, Azrael’s patience snapped.

He slammed his lips onto hers.

Athena’s breath hitched as he kissed her senselessly, stealing the air from her lungs. She smiled against his mouth, but that only seemed to fuel him more. His hand tightened at her waist, pulling her flush against him as the kiss deepened.

He kissed her like a man who had been starving for eternity. And Athena kissed him back just as fiercely.

Her hands slid from his arms to his shoulders, gripping him tightly. Thanks to her heels, she didn’t have to worry about height, only about how quickly her knees were turning weak.

Azrael broke the kiss just long enough to push her gently back against the elevator wall. Before she could even catch her breath, he buried his face in her neck.

Athena gasped.

His tongue traced over the rune there. Electricity exploded through both of them.

A soft, helpless moan slipped from Athena’s lips before she could stop it, heat pooling low in her belly, spreading fast, soaking her panties.

Shit fuck Azrael for that...

He always did this to her. Always found a way to unravel her without even trying. He wasn’t doing anything, nothing at all, he’s literally ust licking her neck. And yet to Athena, it felt like everything.

Pleasure threatened to swallow her whole, her legs trembling as she clutched his shoulders for support.

Suddenly as if remembering something, she tapped his shoulder, breathless and dazed.

But he didn’t stop. Instead, his hand slid from her waist to her ass, grabbing her firmly, then slapping it.

Heat flooded her all over again.

"Shit...Azraeeel... hmmm—" she tried to say, but the words died when he crashed his lips back onto hers again.

A satisfied smile curved against his mouth as he kissed her. He clearly knows what he’s doing to her.

Oh fuck men’s Ego

Their little fantasy didn’t last long. The elevator doors slid open, and a middle-aged woman stepped inside.

They broke apart instantly.

Athena’s heart pounded wildly as she stared straight ahead, her cheeks burning.

Shit. They had been caught.

Athena froze. Like, actually froze.

Her brain short-circuited as soon as her eyes locked on the woman’s face.

Athena tightened her grip on Azrael’s jacket like it was the only thing keeping her from evaporating on the spot.

Oh gods. Oh no no no no.

Please let this be a nightmare.

The middle-aged woman’s eyes flicked from Athena’s flushed face... to Azrael’s very unbothered expression... then very pointedly to the way Athena was still half-pressed against him.

Athena who was still burying her face into Azrael’s chest, praying for the elevator to malfunction, explode, or simply swallow her whole.

Azrael, on the other hand, barely spared the woman a glance.

He was only worried about the woman in his arms, the way she shrank closer to him, her fingers clutching his sleeve, her entire body screaming embarrassment. His arm slid around her shoulders instinctively, pulling her closer, shielding her like a possessive wall of warmth.

The woman cleared her throat loudly.

"Hmm," she said, staring at the elevator numbers like they personally offended her. "Some people really have no shame these days... behaving like this in public places."

She didn’t look at them when she said it.

Athena wanted to die.

Her head dropped forward, forehead hitting Azrael’s chest as her face burned hotter. Shame didn’t even begin to cover it.

She could feel the woman’s judgment radiating through the tiny space.

Azrael leaned down slightly, his lips brushing Athena’s ear as he murmured, far too amused, "Breathe, kitten. You’re going to combust."

She pinched his side, mortified. "This is not funny," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "She thinks we’re—oh my God—"