Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 193 - 191: Don’t bege to stay... I was never going anywhere
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."
He exhaled shakily. "And still... the thought of losing you hurts more."
Her fingers tightened in his shirt like she was afraid he’d disappear if she loosened her grip.
"Please," Athena whispered, voice breaking apart.
"Please don’t leave me. Don’t walk away from me again." Her words tumbled out fast and desperate.
"I know I messed up, I know I hurt you, but I swear I’m trying. I’m learning. I’m choosing you."
She shook her head, tears spilling freely. "I can’t leave without you. I don’t want to. I don’t want to be strong on my own, I don’t want to be brave alone. I just..." Her breath hitched. "I just want you with me."
She pressed her forehead into his chest, voice muffled but raw. "Don’t shut me out. Don’t lock your heart away because of what I did. Punish me if you have to, yell at me, hate me for a while, but don’t abandon me."
Her hands slid up, clutching him tighter. "I’ll prove it to you. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it if that’s what it takes. I’ll choose you in front of everyone, every time. Just... please don’t let this be the moment you decide I’m not worth fighting for."
She lifted her head, eyes red and shining, searching his face like it held her last hope.
"Don’t leave me behind, Azrael," she whispered. "I’m yours. I’m right here. I’m not running. And I’m begging you—stay."
Azrael stood frozen, like her words had struck something deep and fragile inside him. His jaw clenched hard, throat working as he fought the surge of emotion threatening to tear him apart.
Then his hands came up, and cupped her face.
"Fuck..." he whispered, forehead dropping to hers.
His eyes burned, silver bright and wet. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"
He pulled her into his chest, his heartbeat thundered against her ear. "I’m not leaving," he said hoarsely. "I don’t know how to. Even when I’m angry, even when I’m scared, I still end up right here."
His grip tightened. "You think I don’t want to fight for you? Athena, I’d burn the world down before I let it take you from me."
He pulled back just enough to look at her, his thumb brushing away her tears with gentleness. "But you have to understand, I’m terrified. Not of you. Of losing you. Of what people will do when they realize how much you matter to me."
His voice cracked despite himself. "You’re already my weakness. My heart. And I don’t know how to protect something that precious without turning into a monster."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering. "So don’t beg me to stay," he murmured. "I was never going anywhere."
Athena shattered completely at his words, her body trembling against his. She tried to hold herself together but the damn dam broke away.
A sob tore out of her chest, her fingers fisting into his shirt as if he were the only solid thing left in the world. She clung to him desperately, burying her face against his chest.
She was beginning to have head ache from so much crying.
"I’m sorry," she cried between broken breaths. "I’m so sorry, Azrael... I didn’t mean to hurt you... i..." Her words dissolved into sobs, her shoulders shaking violently.
Azrael’s arms tightened instantly, crushing her to him, one hand pressing firmly at her back, the other sliding up to cradle her head. He held her like she might fall apart if he loosened his grip even a little.
"Shh... it’s okay," he murmured over and over, his voice low and grounding as he pressed his lips into her hair. "Cry. Let it out."
Her sobs grew louder, echoing through the room as she clutched him for dear life, her nails dug into his shoulders.
"I’m so sorry, I’ll never let you feel alone again.," he said, rocking her gently. "I’m not letting go. I swear to you."
He rested his forehead against the top of her head, eyes shut tight, breathing her in like air.
Eryx stood there, staring at nothing, his vision blurred as he grabbed his hair.
A low, vicious growl tore out of his chest as he hurled Theo’s phone across the room. It smashed against the wall and shattered into useless pieces.
Theo spun toward him instantly. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" he snapped, rage exploded through his vein. "Are you out of your damn mind?"
Eryx didn’t even flinch.
Theo stormed forward, pointing at the broken pieces on the floor. "That was my phone, you unhinged asshole! Do you have any idea how much that cost? Or were you too busy throwing a tantrum because she didn’t choose you?"
The words landed like a blow.
Rhydric straightened from where he stood, eyes narrowing. "Theo..."
"No," Theo cut him off sharply, never taking his eyes off Eryx. "I’m serious. What did you think was going to happen, huh? That she’d just drop her mate and run to you?"
Eryx’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides.
Theo laughed once, sharp and humorless. "You pushed. You crossed lines you knew you shouldn’t have crossed. And now you’re acting surprised that it blew up in your face?"
Eryx finally turned, eyes blazing. "But, I couldn’t help it. I love Athena."
"Then act like it!" Theo shouted. "She’s already breaking apart, and you’re here destroying shit like a child because your ego got bruised!"
Silence slammed down between them.
Eryx’s chest heaved, his voice rough when he spoke. "She chose him," he said hoarsely. "How do you expect me to react?"
