Cland
Side Story 13
Aria
Well… this is odd. I never imagined I’d ever get a second-chance mate. I turned my head away quickly, pretending I hadn’t felt that spark shoot through me the moment I felt him. Even my nostrils were filled with his scent, warm and distinct, and Dee’s voice instantly stirred inside me
“Aria, that’s our mate. We have to claim him.”
She sounded desperate, hopeful-exactly what I didn’t want to hear. I listened to her once, and it
didn’t end well. I wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.
Just then, a deep masculine voice spoke right beside me, and my eyes widened as I turned to look
at him.
“Will you be rejecting me? It’s better I know on time,” he said.
Well… this one was bold. Direct. No hesitation at all. And in that instant, I found myself liking that
about him.
“What do you think?” I asked, clearly amused:
He didn’t look away, didn’t blink-just kept his gaze fixed on mine. Then he sighed.
“Well, it’s not something new. People reject people.”
I raised a brow.
“Well, definitely.”
I forced the words out because honestly, he was my type-straightforward, not someone who
played around or twisted their words. Just direct.
“Can I sit?” he asked.
I nodded, and he took the seat beside me. If I say I don’t know him, I’d be lying. We weren’t close,
but I’ve seen him a couple of times before. Still, why didn’t the bond hit us back then?
He sat close enough that Dee practically jumped with excitement inside me, but I held myself still.
“So you’re not rejecting me?” he asked again.
Honestly… I didn’t know. But if everyone else gets to move on and find happiness, then maybe I get
to do that too.
“I don’t think so,” I finally said, though my eyes weren’t even on him-they were on Sara, who was
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already hitting it off with one of those guys.
“Well, that’s good,” he said after a short silence.
I turned to him, brow raised.
“What’s good about it?”
He chuckled softly.
“Everyone knows you, Aria.”
Well… I couldn’t exactly deny that.
Clair
“And I know damn well you’re not interested in anyone, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if you rejected me,” he finished.
And instead of feeling offended, I found myself genuinely smiling.
“Okay,” I said with a nod.
He smiled too, and in that moment, I knew-this one would be different.
When I got home that day, my father was on the couch, reading like he always did.
“Hey mister,” I greeted, and he smiled at me.
“How was the celebration?” he asked as I sat beside him.
I sighed softly.
“Well, the celebration was good… and the moon goddess decided to look down on your daughter
again.”
The moment those words left my mouth, he slowly lowered his book and stared at me.
“Shut up,” he said playfully, eyes widening.
I smiled.
“Yes.”
His face lit up immediately, a genuine happiness spreading across it.
“Oh my goddess, this is great news-we should tell your mother,” he said, practically beaming.
I laughed shyly. Seeing him that happy… who wouldn’t be moved? In that moment, watching the joy
on his face, I knew I was going to make this one work.
It wasn’t long after that when we began preparing for our mating ceremony. His family was
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excited, and honestly, so was I. They were thrilled that their unmated son had finally found his
mate, and the warmth they showed me made everything feel real.
Meanwhile, there was Suzy-crying both tears of joy and pain at the same time.
“I thought you said ‘fuck males,” I teased, nudging her lightly.
She let out a wet laugh, still sniffling.
Clair
“You’re wicked,” she said, half laughing and half crying. “I thought we were in that together, but now
you’re leaving me.” Her voice was soft, almost wounded.
“Ohh, come here,” I said, pulling her into a tight hug.
She clung to me, still shaking with her mixed emotions.
ו”
guess I’ll have to focus on my business now,” she muttered, “and not those stupid males.”
I chuckled.
“Don’t worry, Suzy. I’ll give you a special place at the reception… you’ll eat till your heart’s content.”
She finally let out a real laugh, and I joined her, holding her close.
On the day of my wedding, as I stood staring at my reflection in the mirror, both my parents stepped into the room. Their faces were glowing with pride-pride in me, and pride in how far I had managed to come. And truthfully, I was proud of myself too.
“You’ve come a long way,” my father murmured, his voice thick with emotion. My mother immediately slipped her hand into his, steadying him.
“My baby will finally have the happiness she deserves,” he added, reaching up to wipe the tears that
slipped freely from his eyes.
“Oh, darling, don’t spoil her big day,” my mom chided gently, and I couldn’t help but let out a small
chuckle.
“Do you need a hug?” I offered teasingly.
He shook his head quickly.
“Don’t want to ruin your dress,” he said, making all three of us laugh softly.
But then, the air shifted. A heaviness settled between them as my mother stepped closer and held
out an envelope.
“We kept this,” she said quietly. “We didn’t know if we should give it to you… but we think now is the
right moment.”
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Clair
I took it from her, and the handwriting on the front sent a dull, distant ache straight through me
recognized that signature anywhere.
So… he actually wrote back.
I opened the envelope with steady hands. Inside, in his handwriting, were the words:
“I reject you, Aria, as my mate and Luna.”
A low, humorless laugh slipped out of me. I flicked the letter away without a second thought.
“There’s no need for this,” I said simply, lifting my eyes to meet my parents’.
“I have a wedding to attend. And I’m the main character.”
They both chuckled, relief softening their faces.
Behind us, lying forgotten on the floor, was Owen’s letter-his pathetic, meaningless rejection.
Owen
Benson was looking a little too sharp for someone who claimed he was only attending a party. His
suit, his hair-everything was too polished.
“So this right here is the final thing for me to do,” he said, clearing his throat like he was trying to
calm himself.
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