Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 192 - 190: I made a mistake...

Theo stood up slowly, pacing once, then stopping.

"You’re not stupid," he continued. "And you’re definitely not disgusting. You are not a bitch. You hear me?"

On the other end of the call, Athena cried harder.

And Theo closed his eyes, as he felt his heart tightened too. What could have broken her to this point? whatever happened where she was, it had broken her far deeper than he expected.

Eryx snatched the phone from Theo like it was his lifeline. "Baby... are you okay?" His voice was softer than she expected.

Athena froze. Her heart plummeted straight to her stomach. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the phone, unsure whether to speak or just end the call.

"I... I—" she stammered, but her voice caught in her throat.

Eryx’s tone softened. "Hey... look at me. If there’s anything wrong, you should say something please."

Her lips quivered as tears dropped freely from her eyes. Athena closed her eyes tightly, willing herself to stay steady. "I... I’m fine," she whispered, though her voice betrayed her entirely.

Before Athena could even realise anything. Azrael snatched the phone from Athena’s ear. Anger rolling off his like volcano.

Azrael growled. "Eryx... How dare you?"

On the other end, Eryx chuckled, unapologetic.

"Damn," he said lazily. "So you finally decided to join the conversation."

Athena’s stomach dropped as she slowly stood to her feet.

"You don’t get to call her baby," Azrael said coldly. "Ever again."

Eryx laughed. "You don’t own words, Azrael. And you sure as hell don’t own her mouth, or the sounds she makes."

Something in Azrael snapped. His grip tightened so hard the phone creaked. "Say another word like that," he said softly, "and I swear I will peel your wolf off your bones and hang what’s left in the den as a warning."

Eryx scoffed clearly unbothered by the threat. "You’re angry because you know I’m not lying."

Athena sucked in a sharp breath.

Eryx continued coolly. "Now if you’re done, please give the phone back to my beloved Athena.

Azrael’s eyes burned red with rage.

"You touched what was mine," Azrael growled. "You fucking put her freaking hands inside, my mate like you were entitled to her. And you talk like you’re doing me a favour? Have you gone completely insane?"

"Mate?" Eryx scoffed. "Funny word for someone who was shaking under my hands and didn’t say your name once."

From the other end of the phone, Rhydric voice could be heard. "Eryx, stop it."

The room felt like it might explode. Athena’s knees nearly buckled.

Azrael leaned forward, his voice dropping into something lethal. "Listen to me very carefully. You don’t get to talk about my female in that manner to soothe your ego."

"You were a mistake she shouldn’t have encounter. And if you ever mistake that for permission again, I will end your miserable life and throw it at your pathetic mother’s feet."

Eryx’s nose flared. " Don’t you dare..."

Azrael cut him off. "Or what? All you know how to do is steal someone’s mate."

Eryx exhaled through his nose, amused. "You’re scared," he said plainly. "That’s what this is. Scared that your mate is going to come running to me."

Azrael didn’t deny it. Instead, he smiled.

"You’re right," he said. "I am scared."

Eryx stilled.

"Because if I lose control," Azrael continued calmly, "I won’t stop at hurting you. I’ll destroy everything you are. Your rank. Your legacy. Your wolf will beg me to kill it. And the worst part?" Azrael added. "The Moon Goddess herself wouldn’t stop me."

Silence stretched between them.

Eryx exhaled slowly. "You can lock her away," he said. "But you can’t erase me from her body. From her memory. From her head."

Athena moved and snatched the phone from Azrael’s grip and said. "Please," she said again, her voice breaking apart. "Don’t call me. Don’t look for me. Whatever you think was between us... it’s over."

Tears streamed freely down her face now, blurring everything. Her chest ached like it was being crushed from the inside. "Azrael is my mate," she continued, each word trembling. "And I love him." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Eryx’s breath hitched on the other end of the line.

"Athena... please..." he pleaded. "Wait. Listen to me—" But she was already shaking her head, even though he couldn’t see it.

She cut the call without hesitation. Athena stared at the dark screen for half a second before her hand dropped limply to her side. Her shoulders sagged as if all the strength had been drained from her body.

She turned slowly. wiped her tears roughly with the back of her hand and walked toward him.

Then, suddenly, she dropped straight to her knees.

"I’m sorry," she sobbed. "I don’t deserve you—"

Azrael reacted instantly. He caught her before her legs could even touch the floor, hauling her back up with a sharp inhale, hands gripping her arms firmly.

"Don’t," he said hoarsely. "Don’t you ever do that. Don’t you dare do that again."

She looked up at him, eyes red, face crumpled with guilt. "I hurt you. I humiliated you. I made you feel like you weren’t enough and..."

He shook his head violently. "Stop."

His hands slid up to her face, thumbs brushing away tears even as his own eyes burned. "You will not kneel for me. Never."

Her lips trembled. "Azrael."

"I don’t want your apology like this," he cut in, voice cracking despite himself. "I don’t want you broken at my feet. I want you standing. Choosing me."

She swallowed hard. "I am choosing you."

He searched her face like he was afraid to find doubt there. "Not because I forced you. Not because you’re scared."

She shook her head. "Because I love you," she whispered. "I made a mistake. And I’m sorry."

Something in Azrael’s chest finally gave.

He pulled her into him desperately.. Like he needed to feel her breathing to believe she was real.

His forehead pressed to hers. "You nearly destroyed me," he murmured. "Do you know that?"

A sob escaped her. "I know."