The Alpha's Chubby Obsession. novel Chapter 161

Side Story 14-1

Owen

As soon as those words left Benson’s mouth, everything inside me went still. I opened my lips to

speak, but nothing-absolutely nothing-came out. It was as if every word I knew had abandoned

“So… I guess I’ll be off then,” he said quietly.

All I could do was nod. He took the hint and excused himself, leaving the office in a silence that

suddenly felt too heavy.

Funny enough, the first time my beta ever punched me was the first time he saw me after my marriage. He didn’t even hesitate-just swung at me. And it was all because of what I had done to

Aria. I still remember the look in his eyes; pure disappointment… anger… something I deserved.

I leaned back in my chair now, staring at nothing. What’s done is done, I tried to reason with myself.

I knew I hurt her. Deeply. More than any words could describe. But everything I did… I did for the

pack. For its future. For stability. For benefits that would touch everyone, Aira included.

So her finding a second chance mate… that was a good thing. A blessing even. I had moved on,

hadn’t I? I had Olivia now. Sweet, patient Olivia who turned out to be a wonderful Luna and who

gave me my heir. My son. My legacy.

I reached for my tie, loosening it until the fabric slipped slightly. Then I unbuttoned the collar of my

shirt, needing space-air-something to stop the tightness building in my chest.

I rose from my seat and walked toward the window. I opened it wide, letting the fresh breeze rush into the room. My throat bobbed as I tried to steady my breath, but it only made the ache sharper.

My hand moved to my chest on its own. I pressed lightly, rubbing the spot as if that would soothe the pain shooting through me.

A sharp wince escaped before I could stop it.

“Breathe… breathe, Owen…” Leo murmured inside me, steady and calm.

I tried. Goddess knows I tried. I dragged in breath after breath-slow, deep-but the air only made my eyes sting more. When I finally exhaled, the tears followed, slipping down without permission.

Yes, I loved my Luna. I loved Olivia. I repeated it over and over in my mind. I had marked her, claimed her, chosen her. That should have been enough. That should have filled whatever piece of me was empty.

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Side Story 14-1

But the ache wouldn’t stop. It throbbed, pulsed, twisted itself deeper as if reminding me of something I had long buried.

Clain

“It is for the best,” I whispered to no one, to myself, to the wind-maybe hoping it would carry the lie far away.

I turned back to my desk slowly. My legs felt heavy as if they had to drag themselves forward. I crouched, opened the bottom drawer, and there it was.

The photograph.

Her face.

Those eyes.

Staring up at me like a ghost I never fully buried.

Haunting me.

Accusing me.

Reminding me.

I couldn’t look away. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself otherwise, my eyes stayed glued to that photograph… to her. And suddenly, everything I had been holding back for years-everything I thought I had caged, buried, erased-poured out of me all at once.

I should be happy for her.

I should be excited.

Leo had come to love Olivia; he adored her scent, the warmth of her presence, the comfort of her when we had marked her. Olivia had been good to us-steady, gentle, loyal. So by all means, I should feel nothing but relief that Aria finally found someone who would worship her the way she

deserved.

Someone who would love her openly.

Someone who wouldn’t fail her the way I did.

So why then… why does Owen feel like this?

The question tore through me like claws. My vision blurred. My breathing cracked.

I couldn’t hold myself up anymore.

I sank to the floor-my knees hitting the ground first, then my palms-but eventually even my hands gave out, and I folded into myself. My body curled as if trying to protect something fragile inside

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