Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 214 - 212: Happy birthday

Athena continued, not satisfied. "But hey, if tonight is about manifesting," she added, lifting her drink slightly, "then good for you. Dream big."

Leo nearly lost it, he slapped his hand over his mouth.

Levi leaned toward Alaric and whispered, "That wasn’t shade. That was a blackout."

Theo let out a low whistle. Azrael’s lips twitched despite himself.

Rhydric’s eyes stayed on Athena, and a satisfied smile pulled at his lips. No wonder he fell head over heels for her.

Adrianna stood frozen, the veil suddenly feeling very heavy on her head.

After a beat, she laughed sharply. "Right," she said sharply. "Anyway!"

She got down from the chair with anger, turned and walked inside the building.

Athena leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of her drink like nothing had happened.

Suddenly Athena pushed back her chair and rose smoothly. "Excuse me," she told her table, already moving.

The walk to the Phantom Four felt longer than it should have. She could feel the shift in their composure as their eyes landed on her.

Her heart skipped that it hurt, but she didn’t let it show.

She stopped by their table and turned to Theo, stretching out her hand. "Theo."

He didn’t even ask questions. Just reached under the table, pulled out a small box, and placed it in her palm.

"Thanks." Athena muttered after collecting the box from him.

"Anytime," he said with a smile.

Azrael’s head snapped to her as he raised his eyebrows in confusion. "What’s that?"

"Something I asked him to get for me," Athena replied casually.

Azrael clicked his tongue. "You could’ve asked me."

She sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Azrael, please."

He studied her for a second, then leaned back with a resigned huff. "Fine."

She smiled, turned to leave, but his hand closed around hers.

Athena stopped, looked back at him, then at he raised his brow. She rolled her eyes dramatically, leaned down, and pressed a quick, soft kiss to his lips.

"There. Satisfied?"

Azrael smiled.

Across the table, Eryx lifted his glass and drained it in one go. Even the burn didn’t help to calm his jealousy. He set it down harder than necessary and looked away with tight jaw.

Azrael released her hand, Athena turned and walked toward the building.

She stepped into the building with a smirk as her eyes searched for Adrianna.

It wasn’t long before she found her. I mean the veil gave her away.

Athena almost laughed under her breath as she spotted her near the bar, surrounded by a small crowd.

As if sensing her stare, Adrianna turned. The moment their eyes met, Adrianna’s lips curved into a sweet smile. She tilted her head. "Oh look who’s here..." she drawled, voice loud enough to pull attention. "Athena."

Athena lifted a brow slowly, her lips curving into an amused smile. "Wow," she said, tilting her head. "You sound really happy to see me. Should I be flattered, or are you just that desperate for attention tonight?"

A couple of gasps slipped through the crowd.

Adrianna’s smile hardened. "Please," she snapped, flipping her veil back again and Athena rolled her eyes. "I’m happy because this is my night. You’re just here to remind everyone what doesn’t belong."

Athena let out a soft scoff, eyes dragging over Adrianna with a smile. "Oh." She clapped lightly once. "Wow. You finally learned how to bite back." Her gaze met Adrianna’s, calm and cutting. "Good for you."

The words landed harder than a slap that Adrianna’s smile vanished in an instant.

Before Athena could react, Adrianna grabbed her wrist and dragged her away from the noise, past the glass doors, down the dim side corridor toward the back of the building where the music faded into a dull thump.

The moment they stopped, Athena yanked her hand free.

Adrianna spun on her, eyes blazing. "What exactly is your problem?"

Athena laughed like she’d just been told the funniest joke of the night. "My problem?" She tilted her head, eyes glittering. "That’s rich."

She took a step closer, voice dropping but sharper. "Oh I’m the one with a problem now?"

Her smile returned sweetly. "No, Adrianna. If anything, my only problem is that you keep mistaking my silence for weakness." She crossed her arms. "So go on. Since you dragged me all the way out here, what is it you actually want to say?"

Adrianna let out a sharp laugh, the kind with no humor in it. "Oh please," she snapped, stepping right back into Athena’s space. "Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not that important. I dragged you out here because I’m tired of you acting all high and mighty, like you’re better than everyone else."

Her eyes flicked Athena up and down slowly. "You walk in, laugh at me, whisper with your little group, and suddenly you’re the victim?" She scoffed. "No. You knew exactly what you were doing."

Adrianna tugged at the ridiculous veil on her head like it annoyed even her. "You think you’re untouchable now, huh? Dating him? Sitting with them?"

She leaned in, voice low and venomous.

"Wipe that smug smile off your face. Because this little queen act?" She gestured between them. "It doesn’t scare me. It just tells me you’re scared I might take what you think is yours."

She straightened, chin lifted. "And trust me, I don’t like losing."

Athena stared at her for half a second... then she burst out laughing. She bent forward, clutching her stomach, laughing so hard she had to wipe at the corner of her eyes.

"Oh my God." she gasped between laughs. "Wait, wait... let me breathe. That was.." she straightened just enough to look at Adrianna, eyes sparkling with pure mockery, "...a great speech."

She clapped slowly. "Truly. Very passionate. Lots of drama. I almost felt threatened." Her lips curved. "Almost."

Adrianna’s composure cracked.

Athena tilted her head, smile sweet but sharp enough to cut. "But here’s the thing, Adrianna... people who are actually confident don’t need monologues. They don’t need veils, or volume, or an audience."

Her gaze flicked pointedly to the white veil, then back to Adrianna’s eyes. "They just... exist. And the room adjusts."

She shrugged lightly. "So if you think I’m scared of you, that’s cute. Really." Her smile widened. "Because all I see is someone throwing a birthday party for herself and still begging for attention."

She leaned in just a little closer. "And trust me, if I ever wanted what you have?" A soft laugh escaped her lips. "You’d already know. I wouldn’t be standing here explaining it."

Adrianna’s face darkened instantly, her jaw tightening, fingers curling at her sides as the words landed like a blow, every single one of them.

Athena straightened, still smiling. "Anyway," she added breezily, "happy birthday."

Adrianna hand flew up ready to slap Athena, but she caught her wrist mid hair.

Adrianna barely had time to register it before Athena shoved her back, hard enough that she stumbled a step, her heels scraping against the ground.

Athena stepped forward immediately, closing the distance as she grabbed Adrianna’s hand. Her face hard as stone. "Don’t," her eyes blazing.

"You don’t get to raise your hand at me," she continued. "Not today. Not ever."