The Alpha's Chubby Obsession. novel Chapter 176

Side Story 23

Clara

I was taken aback by what he said. I wasn’t in the right place to tell him I had nowhere to stay.

“Because there was no reason to,” I answered, my eyes flicking back to the Edgars.

Clairy

“Mr. Edgar, please, you can stop bowing. You too, ma’am,” I said as respectfully as I could. These

were the people who housed me, for goddess’ sake.

They stopped bowing, and when they did, I saw how shocked both of them looked-maybe

because of how I was speaking to Alpha Abel, or because the alpha himself was here asking why 1

didn’t tell him I had nowhere to go. As if he and I were anything to each other.

He was the same man who had walked out earlier because of the age gap, and now he stood here

like none of that happened.

“Look here,” he said, catching my attention. “Whether I reject you tonight-”

Mrs. Edgar gasped, but he kept going.

“-you should have told me as your alpha.”

I understood what he meant, but I also knew emotions were involved for him to suddenly offer

help.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “And it’s not whether. It is.”

His green eyes widened for a split second before he composed himself again.

“That is for me to decide,” he said, stepping closer, and I eyed him sharply.

“Whatever. Since you’re already here, after I shift, you can reject me all you want.”

I was done. I wasn’t begging anyone anymore.

He went silent-eerily silent. The Edgars and Randy were watching, waiting, almost like they were

expecting him to say something. And he did. Something that made me frown.

“If that’s the case, Clara… there will be no rejection.”

My eyes widened. What sort of nonsense was he saying?

“That’s a change of heart,” Randy said, releasing a relieved sigh.

I planted my hands on my hips like I was scolding a stubborn child.

“You said there would be two rejections. So get it over with.”

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< Side Story 23

Clair

“You should have respect when speaking to the future alpha,” Mrs. Edgar said gently, not knowing

he’d already taken the title privately.

“You see that mouth of yours?” he said finally. “That’s the reason I’ll rethink it.”

I wasn’t having it. I shook my head.

“Absolutely not. You do it tonight.”

“Stop challenging me,” he said, like the very idea irritated him.

“And so?” I shot back. “You said it yourself. Why are you backing out now?”

I could swear I heard Randy trying not to laugh.

“Because I don’t like challenges. And you telling me to reject you makes me not want to.”

“Why do I feel like you’re confused about your feelings? Do you want to reject me or not?”

Silence. Thick. Heavy.

“I think we should excuse them both,” Randy said to the Edgars, who quickly nodded.

They left, leaving just me and this impossible man alone-so we could keep throwing words at each other. And honestly, why was I even arguing with him in the first place?

As soon as they stepped out, he finally broke the silence.

“Yes, I do want to reject you. I need an heir as soon as possible,” he said bluntly. His tone was calm,

almost emotionless.

“So the rejection will happen tonight, then,” I replied immediately, leaving him no opening to change

the subject or explain further.

But instead of agreeing, he frowned slightly, studying my face.

“And you? Do you want me to reject you?” he asked, catching me completely off guard with the question I least expected.

“If it wasn’t you, I probably wouldn’t want to be rejected,” I admitted quietly.

It didn’t ease him; the frown stayed glued to his face./

He let out a long sigh.

“After you shift,” he said, sounding almost tired, “the rejection will take place.”

I nodded. At least we finally had a conclusion.

So why did my chest feel tight? Why didn’t I like the decision I had agreed to?

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< Side Story 23

Clair

They didn’t truly leave the house, but I stayed in the room with Mrs. Edgar. She kept glancing at re with worried eyes.

“I’m sorry a rejection has to happen to you right after your first shift,” she said, her voice gentle and

sympathetic.

I nodded, keeping my lips sealed because I didn’t trust my voice not to crack.

“I mean… he needs an heir,” I said after a moment, trying to sound understanding. “We’re not even in

the same age range, and I’m not legally an adult. I get why he’s doing this.”.

Mrs. Edgar hummed thoughtfully.

“Well, he also has his principles,” she said. “Werewolves consider sixteen the proper age, but humans say eighteen. And honestly? That makes sense too. Plenty of us agree with that.”

Her comment made me chuckle weakly.

“Yeah… I guess so,” I murmured, my eyes drifting off. Suddenly, a sharp headache pulsed across my skull. I touched my forehead lightly, trying to soothe it.

Mrs. Edgar’s eyes widened immediately.

“Is it-?” she started, but her voice faded, muffled, distant.

My breathing became harsher, louder, almost animalistic. She stood up quickly from the bed,

alarmed.

“Clara, are you okay?”

I snapped my head up to look at her, and the moment our eyes met, she gasped and stumbled

back. Fear flickered through her expression.

“If you can hear me, stay here!” she said quickly, then turned and ran out of the room.

But the fire inside me had already ignited, spreading through every limb. There was no way I was

shifting inside their daughter’s room-not when I could end up tearing it apart.

So I stumbled to the window, pushed it open, and jumped out.

The instant my feet touched the ground, I bolted.

I ran across their backyard and straight into the woods. My legs moved on their own, driven by

instinct, by desperation. My wolf clawed inside me, forcing her way out. A low, deep growl ripped from my throat-so primal I barely recognized myself.

“Calm down,” I whispered between panting breaths, but the voice didn’t sound human anymore.

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