Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 196 - 194: Throwing tantrums

Eryx followed her line of sight, and the moment he saw Alaric and Armand, something in his expression hardened.

"Who are they?" Laila asked, distracted as she kept staring. "Are they models or something?"

Eryx grabbed her wrist abruptly. "Not important."

She blinked at him. "What’s wrong with you?" but, her eyes drifted back.

For a brief second, Alaric looked up. And his gaze met hers. His eyes rolled over her from head to toe and he sure look like, he liked what he saw.

Then his eyes slid to Eryx, lingering there for half a second longer than necessary, before he looked away as if she didn’t exist.

Eryx’s grip tightened around her wrist.

"Eryx—" Laila was about to protest, but he didn’t let her finish.

He pulled her toward the car, opened the door, and practically shoved her inside. The door slammed shut.

"What the hell?" Laila protested.

Eryx rounded the car, got into the passenger seat, and shut the door hard. "Drive. Now."

She stared at him, then huffed and started the engine. "You’re acting insane."

As the car pulled away, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, lips curling into a grin despite everything. "You didn’t tell me your school has beautiful men like that."

Eryx finally spoke, voice flat and edged with warning. "Keep your eyes where they belong," he said. "And forget what you just saw."

Laila snorted. "Oh please. Since when do you get to decide what I look at?"

He turned to her slowly. "Since looking at the wrong thing gets people hurt."

That wiped the smile off her face, just a little.

She scoffed, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "You’re being dramatic."

"I’m being serious."

She glanced at him again. "So what, they’re criminals? Cult leaders? Secret assassins? Because if this is some forbidden-hot-guys situation, I deserve details."

Eryx exhaled through his nose. "Drop it, Laila."

"No." She smirked, undeterred. "Now I’m curious."

His jaw flexed. "Curiosity is what gets idiots buried."

She laughed once. "Wow. Touchy."

He leaned back in the seat, eyes closing briefly

like he was counting to ten. "Just drive."

Silence filled the car for a few seconds before she spoke again, softer this time. "You don’t overreact like that unless something is wrong."

"Because some doors, once noticed, don’t stay closed. And I’d rather you never walk through that one." Eryx said and shut his eyes back like he was already done with the conversation.

Laila swallowed, her teasing fading, but only for a moment. "...Still," she muttered, eyes flicking back to the road, "the one with black hair? Absolute menace."

Eryx shot her a sharp look. "You like him already?"

Laila didn’t even hesitate. She grinned. "Yes. Should I hide my feelings or something?"

His jaw tightened in irritation. "Me and that particular guy fought once," he said flatly. "And I beat him up. So forget about it."

She blinked. "...And what does that have to do with the fact that I like him?"

"Everything," Eryx snapped. "You need a high-standard protector. Not someone like him."

Laila rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. "Oh please. The Moon Goddess is my protector, not him." She smirked dreamily. "And have you looked at him? He’s gorgeous."

"Drop it," Eryx said, voice low.

"You know I always go for what I like," she replied lightly. "And you can’t stop me."

Something in him finally snapped. "Fine," he barked. "Do whatever the fuck you want. Just drive."

The car went dead silent.

Laila’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Slowly, she turned to look at him, stunned.

Then her face twisted in anger as she packed the car. "...Get out."

Eryx frowned. "What?"

"You heard me," she said, voice trembling. "Get. Out."

He stared at her like she’d lost her mind. "Laila, don’t be..."

He flicked her forehead lightly. "Stop being dramatic."

Her lips wobbled. Her eyes filled up instantly. And then she burst into tears. Abroken sobs that ripped straight through his chest.

"Why are you always like this?" she cried. "You think you get to control everything! You don’t listen, you don’t care, you’re just like them!"

Eryx froze. "What the fuck?" he muttered.

She shoved at his arm weakly. "Get out! I don’t want you here!"

He didn’t even know how to comfort her, he just kept on staring at her how tears streamed down her face, because of him.

He dragged a hand down his face. "Laila... I didn’t mean—"

She sobbed harder. Eryx swore under his breath.

Before she could shove him away again, he reached across and pulled her toward him, locking his arms around her. Laila cried harder, her fists hitting his chest several times before her strength gave out.

"Hey," he said roughly, pressing her head against his shoulder. " I’m sorry okay. Big brother won’t do that again."

She struggled for a second, then completely broke.

Her tears soaked into his shirt as she clutched him back, fingers twisting into the fabric like he was the only thing keeping her upright. Her sobs came loud and shaky, the kind that left her breathless.

"I hate you," she cried weakly.

"I know," he said, tightening his hold.

Then he mutter out of nowhere. "I hate you too."

She attempt to raise her head. "What?"

He pushed her head back to his chest. "Nothing... I said I love you."

He rested his chin on her head, one hand coming up to cradle the back of her neck, grounding her. "I shouldn’t have snapped. That’s on me."

She sniffled, voice muffled against him. "You’re such a jerk."

"Yeah," he agreed quietly. "But I’m your jerk."

Her grip tightened, and slowly, her crying eased into soft hiccups. He let out a breathe of relief. Atleast she wasn’t crying again, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t trlhrow tantrums, so he held her a little longer.

After a moment, he added softly, almost reluctantly, "I just don’t want anyone hurting you."

She didn’t answer, but she leaned into him a little more like a spoilt brat that she is.

And that’s actually all thanks to him. He had no one to blame for that. He was the one that made her a spoilt brat after all.