Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 209 - 207: Pentagon

"And holding his hand was the solution?" His voice cracked just slightly at the edges. He hated that it did.

"It all happened so fast... And" she said, eyes shining. "the moment I saw you, I pulled away. I chose you."

He leaned in closer, forehead almost touching hers. "But you still went with him."

"I’m sorry," Athena whispered. "it won’t happen again."

Azrael closed his eyes briefly, breathing through it. "You have no idea what it does to me," he said quietly and open his eyes. "Seeing him look at you like he still belongs there."

"I don’t belong to him," she said firmly, lifting her hands to his chest. "I belong with you. And not him."

His gaze dropped to where her hands rested over his heart, then lifted again. "Then don’t make me feel like I’m fighting for you alone," he said. "Because I will fight, but I need to know you’re standing with me."

Athena vision blurred as she nodded.

Finally, Azrael straightened slightly, his hands sliding to her waist. "I love you," he confessed. "That’s why this scares me."

Athena swallowed hard. "I love you too."

He rested his forehead against hers.

"Next time," he murmured, "don’t let anyone pull you away from me."

She nodded. "I won’t."

Azrael brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

"There’s something else," he said, "I heard Adrianna’s birthday is tonight. Pretty much the whole student body will be there."

Athena’s eyes lit up as a smile curved her lips.

"Of course we’ll attend," she said lightly. "Where’s the fun if I don’t?"

Azrael’s gaze narrowed, suspicion flashing. "Why did you look... dangerous just now?"

She tilted her head, innocence painted perfectly on her face. "I did?"

"Yes," he said flatly.

"Must be your imagination," she replied with a smile that gave nothing away.

He studied her for a beat longer, then shook his head. "I’m not even going to ask." He leaned in, pressing a firm kiss to her lips. "Let’s eat at the cafeteria first."

She smiled back. "Aren’t you going with your friends?"

His jaw tightened slightly. "I don’t want to. I’ll probably end up fighting Eryx."

Athena sighed softly and shook her head. "That’s not fair, Azrael. They were your friends before me. I don’t want to be the reason you drift apart. Go with them. Not me."

He looked away, wrestling with it, then turned back to her. "Fine," he said grudgingly. "But don’t complain if I snap Eryx’s head off."

She laughed, the tension easing. "I’d rather you didn’t cause a scene and embarrass us all."

He leaned in once more, and kiss her intensely as his hand tightened on her waist. "Remember," he murmured against her lips, "I’m the only one allowed to kiss you like this."

Athena smiled against his mouth and nodded. "Always."

Satisfied, Azrael stepped back, gave her a wink, then turned and left the room.

The door clicked shut and Athena’s smile faded.

She closed her eyes and dragged a tired hand through her hair, exhaling slowly as the weight of everything settled on her shoulders. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Tonight," she murmured to herself, eyes opening with a glint of resolve, "is going to be interesting."

Athena stepped into the cafeteria, the familiar buzz of voices washing over her. Her eyes lifted instinctively, and collided with the Phantom Fours.

Rhydric was the first she noticed. He was already watching her, his grey eyes locked on her carrying an intensity that made her stomach tighten. It felt like he was burning a hole through her.

Athena quickly averted her gaze. And her eyes found Azrael instead.

He was leaning back in his seat, relaxed, as if he hadn’t just been ready to tear the hallway apart earlier. The moment their eyes met, his expression softened. A small smile tugged at his lips.

She smiled back, warmth blooming briefly in her chest.

Turning away, Athena headed toward her usual seat beside her friends. She had barely near the table when Leo spoke.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show her face," Leo drawled, grinning widely. "Careful, Athena. Azrael might charge us rent for sitting this close to you now."

Levi snorted. "Yeah, pretty sure he bribed us with food just to make sure we behaved around you."

Athena laughed, shaking her head as she sat down. "You’re both ridiculous."

"Hey," Leo said, hands raised in mock surrender. "We’re just doing what your boyfriend asked, keeping things... friendly."

Alaric leaned over then, offering her a gentle smile. "It’s good to see you back," he said quietly. "You were missed."

"Thank you," Athena replied softly, genuinely touched.

Armand, sitting across from her, simply gave her a brief nod and a small, approving smile.

Leo leaned back dramatically, his eyes scanning her from head to toe like a detective on a case.

"So," he said loudly, "should we bow now or later? Since you’re officially a royalty."

Levi choked on his drink. "Bow later. Let her eat first. Wouldn’t want the queen fainting."

Athena groaned. "If you two don’t stop, I swear I’ll tell Azrael you were talking trash about him."

Leo gasped, clutching his chest. "Betrayal. Absolute betrayal."

"That man terrifies me," Levi added quickly. "I value my life."

Alaric chuckled softly beside her. "They’re just happy you’re back," he said. "Even if they refuse to say it like normal people."

Alaric wasn’t jealous this time, it looks like he already knew he had no chance with her long ago.

"I said it!" Leo protested. "In my own emotionally complex way."

Athena laughed, shaking her head as she reached for her food. "You guys didn’t change at all."

"And you did?" Levi raised a brow. "You disappeared, came back with a possessive boyfriend that caused hallway chaos, and now you’re acting like this is a regular Tuesday."

Armand finally spoke, dry as ever. "To be fair, chaos follows her."

Athena pointed at him. "I feel attacked."

"You should," Armand replied calmly, sipping his drink. "It’s accurate."

The table burst into laughter.

Across the cafeteria, Azrael glanced over at them, watching Athena throw her head back laughing, surrounded by her friends. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

Leo suddenly leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table, his grin turning sharp with curiosity.

"So," he said casually, way too casually, "what’s the scene I heard, and saw, in the school group chat where Eryx was hugging you like his long-lost soulmate?"

Athena nearly choked. "Leo?"

He cut in quickly, his eyes wide with mock concern. "Don’t tell me you’re stuck in a love triangle."

Before she could respond, Levi snapped his fingers. "Triangle? Nah."

Everyone turned to him. "I think it’s more like a... pentagon," Levi continued thoughtfully. "You know. Five sides."

There was a split second of silence, before the table exploded with laughter.