The Alpha's Chubby Obsession. novel Chapter 152

Side Story 8-1

Aria

Something in my head told me to push him away, to end this before it even began. It was better for

both of us if we rejected each other right now, but Dee hated that idea. My wolf fought me at every turn, refusing to see reason, and I was stuck arguing with her inside my own mind.

“I have to go clear my head,” I said, pulling myself out of his grasp.

He looked hurt, and I saw it-felt it-but I forced myself not to care as I walked away.

When I reached our friends, they stared at me like they were trying to figure out what had happened to the girl who was all smiles moments ago. “I’ll be off. I don’t think I feel fine,” I said,

grabbing my bag.

Suzy stood up immediately. “Then I’ll go with you.”

I nodded. “Okay… bye.”

They waved us off, and I could practically feel Owen’s eyes on my back until we finally disappeared

from sight.

“So,” Suzy began casually, “are you gonna tell me why your mood shifted from excited to ‘I want to

die’?”

I swallowed and glanced at her, then let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Owen is my mate,” I said quietly.

She gasped, covering her mouth. “Isn’t that good news?” She started smiling, but when she saw my expression, her smile died. “It’s not?”

I shook my head. “The alpha already planned who his mate would be.”

Suzy gasped again, louder this time. “Oh… well, that is bad, Aria.”

“But he doesn’t want to reject me,” I blurted out.

She looked at me with a kind of pity that made my chest tighten. “Then why don’t you trust him?”

I frowned, confused. “What?”

“Yes,” she insisted, nodding. “What if he fights for the bond you two share? What if he goes against whatever his father says?”

I thought about it. It could be possible… but I knew Owen. I knew how terrified he was of his father,

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Clair

the alpha. That fear controlled him. That fear shaped him. That fear made him obey every word, the man said.

If I accepted this bond, wouldn’t I end up hurt?

Should I really allow my emotions-and Dee’s desperate attachment-to blind me?

I was lost in thought when one of our friends waved from afar. “Hey! You two, wait up!” Emilia called out. Her smile was blinding, her blonde hair bouncing, her dimples practically illegal.

“God, are you guys sprinters? You walk fast,” she complained, and we all laughed.

“Well, I realized I didn’t want to be left alone with the boys,” she added, and that was enough for me and Suzy to drop the topic of Owen for the rest of the walk. We stuck to gossip and random talk, pretending nothing was wrong.

Later that evening at dinner, I planned to tell my father everything. I wanted to confront him about

it… but the words never came.

Instead, I went straight to my room after we ate.

The moment I stepped inside and shut the door, I felt it – a presence.

I turned slowly… and there he was. Owen. Standing in the dim light, staring right at me.

“Sorry,” he said quietly, his hands tucked into his pockets. “I had to come through the window.”

“Hm,” was all I managed to say.

“Look, Aria…” His voice softened. “I know why you’re scared. But please… don’t reject me like that.”

I hated how my body reacted. I hated how Dee perked up, urging me toward him, aching for him.

“What guarantee do I have that you won’t listen to your father when the time comes, Owen?” I

asked.

But he stepped closer-too close-and his eyes didn’t waver.

“I love you, Aria,” he said quietly. “I have for a long time. Even before the bond. I promise you… it’s

you I’ll choose.”

But I shouldn’t have believed the promise of a sixteen-year-old boy.

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