Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 191 - 189: Why are you crying?
Eryx scoffed loudly. "Athena cannot block me. Why would she?" He smirked, then added, lowering his voice with mock arrogance, "Especially when I haven’t even shown her how much I’ve got going on down here." He glanced pointedly at his trousers.
Theo froze. Then he whipped a pillow straight at Eryx’s face. "You’re disgusting."
Eryx burst out laughing, catching the pillow and tossing it back. "What? I’m just saying. Facts are facts."
"Silly ass, " Theo shot back. "If anyone’s impressive, it’s definitely not you."
Eryx clutched his chest again. "Wow. First my gaming skills, now my manhood? You’re really choosing violence today."
Theo snorted. "Please. If confidence made size, you’d still lose."
"Oh, you wanna compare now?" Eryx grinned. "Because I guarantee..."
"Don’t finish that sentence," Theo warned.
"I’m bigger," Eryx said smugly.
Theo laughed dryly. "In your wildest dreams, bro."
The door opened and Rhydric walked in, already unimpressed. "Are you both dumb, or did I walk in at the worst possible time?"
Theo’s face lit up instantly. He pointed at Rhydric like he’d just won a prize. "Perfect timing. The master of big dick has arrived."
Rhydric blinked once, then laughed, before smacking Theo lightly at the back of the head. "Watch your mouth."
Eryx was wheezing. "I did not know you were capable of making Mr. Stone Cold crack," he said between laughs. "Theo, send me your account details. I need to reward this hardwork."
Theo rubbed the back of his head, grinning anyway. "You’re welcome. I live to serve."
Rhydric shook his head, still amused. "You two are insufferable."
Eryx grinned wider. "Thanks."
Eryx turned toward Rhydric, his grin fading just a notch. "So," he asked casually, "did you call Athena?"
Rhydric looked at him like he’d just asked the dumbest question on earth. His eyes nearly rolled out of his skull. "Are you really asking me that question?"
Eryx lifted his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Point taken."
Theo leaned back on the couch and shot Eryx a look. "Did you try calling Azrael?"
Eryx scoffed. "Please. He won’t pick up."
He snorted. "He knows I wouldn’t be calling for him. I’d be calling for his mate. And that man already hates my ass."
Rhydric hummed quietly at that, not disagreeing.
Eryx then turned back to Theo, eyes lighting up with renewed determination. "Why don’t you try calling Athena?"
Theo shut his eyes immediately, dragging a hand down his face. "Eryx... please."
Eryx clasped his hands together dramatically. "Pleaseee. Just try."
He leaned closer. "I’ll get you anything. Chocolate chips. Ice cream. A whole box of donuts. Protein bars. Hell, I’ll even throw in a new controller."
Theo cracked one eye open. "You’re ridiculous."
"I’m desperate," Eryx corrected. "And generous."
Theo groaned. "You’re annoying."
"I prefer persistent."
Theo snapped his eyes open. "Fine. Fine!" He pointed a finger at Eryx. "But if this causes drama, I’m blaming you."
Eryx’s face lit up. "Yes!" He bounced forward and planted a loud kiss on Theo’s cheek.
Theo recoiled instantly, his face twisting in pure horror. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" he barked. "Get the hell off me, you unhinged bastard. I swear to the Moon, do that again and I’ll break your damn nose."
Eryx burst out laughing, holding his stomach. "Worth it. Totally worth it."
Rhydric shook his head slowly, lips twitching despite himself. "You’re both idiots," he muttered.
Theo picked up his phone and dialed Athena’s number. Eryx immediately scooted closer, practically leaning into him, eyes glued to the screen. Theo shoved him away with his elbow.
"Back the hell up," he muttered. "You’re breathing on my neck."
Eryx hissed. "I’m invested." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"Sit. Down," Theo snapped, pushing him again. "Or I swear I’ll hang up just to spite you."
Eryx straightened up immediately. " Okay... sorry."
The phone rang.
Once. Twice. Three times.
Theo was just about to end the call when it connected.
He straightened instantly, clearing his throat, suddenly awkward. "Hi," he said softly.
But silence greeted him instead of Athena.
Theo frowned. "Athena? Are you there?"
Still he heard nothing.
Then he heard a shaky sniffle.
Theo’s spine went rigid. His expression turning more serious and worried. "Hey," he said, voice dropping. "Are you okay?"
On the other end of the line, Athena cracked.
And Theo froze.
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Athena was still curled in on herself, arms wrapped tight around her body like she could keep herself from falling apart if she just held on hard enough.
Her phone beeped. She stared at it through blurred vision, tears dripping down her chin as the phone kept ringing.
Her chest hurt, if felt it’s been ripped out. With shaking hands, she picked it up. "Hi," Theo said.
The word hit her like a knife, and for some reason her heart broke even more that, the lump in her throat grew to the point that, she couldn’t find her own voice.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"Athena?" he asked gently. "Are you there?"
Her lips trembled. She sniffled, trying but failing, to stop the tears.
"Are you okay?" he asked, worry threading through his voice now.
Athena broke at that. "Theo." She mummered as the tears kept falling.
"I’m so stupid, Theo," she sobbed, the words spilling out ugly and raw. "I’ve never, never felt this foolish in my entire life." Her voice broke completely. "I’m disgusting. I’m such a mess. I ruin everything. I don’t even know what’s wrong with me anymore."
Her shoulders shook violently as she cried, breaths coming out uneven and painful.
"I hate myself," she whispered, barely audible. "I hate that I’m like this. I hate that I hurt people. I hate... " she choked on a sob, "Fuck...I’m such a bitch, I fucking... hate that I still care."
Theo was so shocked that he didn’t know what to say.
He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening as he listened to her cry. "Athena," he said softly. "Stop. Don’t talk about yourself like that."
Eryx, who had been smirking seconds ago, had gone completely still.
Rhydric who was now leaning against the doorway, became alert.
