Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)-Chapter 218 - 216: If the mate bond wasn’t there.

Her lips trembled.

"But don’t mistake my restraint for weakness," he said firmly. "I want you. Fully. Completely. I’ve never wanted anyone like this."

His voice softened. "And if one day the world shifts, if your heart reaches for me freely, without guilt, I’ll be here."

He stepped back, forcing distance between them like it physically hurt. "Until then," he said quietly, "I’ll carry this on my own. Because that’s what a man does when he truly loves a woman, he respects her choice, even when it costs him everything."

His mouth curved into a faint, pained smile. "Just don’t tell me what we had didn’t matter."

Then, barely above a whisper, "Because it still does."

Athena broke as tears broke freely from her face. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Eryx, burying her face against his chest like she’d been holding that ache in for far too long. Her shoulders shook as she cried, fingers clutching his jacket as if letting go would shatter her.

Eryx froze for half a second, then his arms came around her, firm but careful, like he was afraid of hurting her just by holding her too tight. He rested his chin lightly on her head, eyes closing as he breathed her in.

"It’s okay," he murmured, voice rough. "I’ve got you. I promise."

From across the field, Azrael saw them.

Saw her crying in Eryx’s arms.

Something vicious twisted in his chest. Jealousy burned like wildfire inside him, followed by something way worse, hurt.

His jaw clenched as his eyes stung, and he turned his face away before anyone could see the tears gathering there.

He pushed to his feet. Theo reacted instantly, standing too and planting a hand against Azrael’s chest. "Az, don’t."

Azrael’s eyes snapped to him, blazing. "Move."

"Calm down, you’re not thinking straight." Theo said firmly, lowering his voice. "You’ll regret it."

Azrael shoved his hand away without hesitation. "I already do." he said and then he walked off.

Theo exhaled slowly, watching him go, then glanced back toward Athena and Eryx. His expression conflicted.

Back by the trees, Athena slowly pulled away from Eryx, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Her voice was hoarse. "I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry."

Eryx nodded once, even though it clearly hurt. "I know."

She looked past him instinctively, searching the field. Her heart dropped when she didn’t find Azrael. "Azrael..."

Eryx followed her gaze, jaw tightening when he realized Azrael was gone. He said nothing, he just looked at her.

Athena’s chest constricted with guilt and panic.

"I need to go," she whispered.

Eryx gave a small, sad smile. "Yeah. You should."

As she turned to run after Azrael, Eryx stayed where he was, watching her go with his hands at his sides as he tried to pull himself together.

Athena’s feet pounded against the grass as she reached Theo, her chest still heaving from crying.

"Theo!" she gasped, grabbing his arm. "Where’s Azrael? Where did he go?"

Theo glanced at her, his expression tight, almost cautious. "He left."

Her eyes widened, panic rising. "What? Why? Why would he just leave?"

Theo ran a hand through his hair, letting out a short sigh. "Because... jealousy. Hurt. He saw you crying in Eryx’s arms and he couldn’t handle it. He didn’t want anyone seeing him like that."

Athena’s stomach dropped. "But... I—I didn’t ... I mean... I—he—" Her words faltered, panic and guilt making her voice break.

Theo gave her a small, sympathetic look. "I know. He’ll come back when he’s cooled off... but right now, he needs space. Don’t blame yourself." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Athena’s hands fell to her sides. "Space... he’s mad at me?"

Theo shook his head. "Not mad. He just needs space to cool off."

Her heart ached. "I... I have to find him."

Theo placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Wait. Let him calm down first. You running after him now will only make it worse."

Athena’s hands clenched into fists. "I can’t just wait. I—he’s my..."

Theo’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I know. But sometimes... a mate needs time to breathe."

Athena’s gaze drifted toward the dark edge of the field, where Azrael had disappeared, her heart thundering painfully in her chest.

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Azrael stood under the shower, letting it pound over him as if it could wash away the storm inside. Steam curled around him, filling the large bathroom, but it did nothing to soften the fire raging in his chest.

His hand dug into the tile wall, his knuckles whitening as anger, jealousy, and pain collided into one unbearable heat. Every laugh Athena had, every tear she’d shed in Eryx’s arms, played on a loop in his mind.

"Damn it," he muttered, voice rough, swallowed by the hiss of the water. "Why... why did she have to cry for him?"

He let the water stream over his face, hoping it would hide the tightness in his jaw, the sting of tears threatening behind his eyelids. But no amount of heat could burn away the ache of seeing her in someone else’s arms, even if it was only for five minutes.

Azrael’s chest heaved, the anger bleeding into raw hurt. "She’s meant to be mine," he whispered fiercely, teeth gritting. "You gave her to me right, Moon goddess?" His voice cracked.

He swallowed hard, water running over his hair and down his face. "You can’t... you can’t just watch this happen."

He slammed his palm into the wall, splashing water everywhere, and for a second he just let himself feel it, all the jealousy, the pain, the helplessness. Then he closed his eyes, breathing deep, trying to gather himself.

Still he couldn’t calm down. Why should he always be the one to fight for them? Why does it feel like Athena loves him less? Why does it feel like she’s just here because of the mate bond? Will she still love him if the mate bond wasn’t there?

He felt totally helpless, stupid for being a total fool when it comes to her.