Chapter 8 Damian's Obsession

• Theme: Manipulation and Control
• Aria's POV
• I should’ve known Damian wouldn’t leave me alone for long. Ever since the relationship with Xander became evident, I’ve felt his eyes on me. It’s like he’s always watching, waiting for the proper opportunity to strike. Today is no different.
• I’m sitting on a bench near the pack training grounds, trying to clear my head, Suddenly, Damian is standing in front of me, his black eyes locked on mine. His presence is suffocating.
• “Aria,” he murmurs, his voice low and focused.
• I don’t look at him. I can’t. After everything he’s done, the last thing I want is to hear whatever warped justification he’s come up with.
• “I was wrong,” he continues, getting closer. “I didn’t see what I had until it was gone.”
• I finally met his gaze, but there’s no softness in my expression. “It’s too late, Damian.”
• His jaw clenches, and for a minute, I see something flicker in his eyes. Regret? Guilt? But I don’t trust it. Not anymore. I know better now.
• “I made a mistake,” he adds, his voice softening, as if that’s enough to erase the hurt he inflicted. “Rejecting you was the worst decision of my life.”
• My heart burns at his words, but I steel myself. He doesn’t get to do this—he doesn’t get to come crawling back when it’s convenient for him.
• “You hurt me,” I say quietly, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. “In front of everyone. You called me weak. Unworthy. And now, suddenly, you’ve changed your mind?”
• Damian steps closer, his eyes seeking mine, but I don’t back down.
• “I didn’t know, Aria,” he adds, his voice imploring now. “I didn’t know what it would feel like to lose you. But I know now. I was mistaken. I need you. Please, just give me another chance.”
• I shake my head, my heart hardening with every syllable. “No, Damian. It’s over.”
• As I turn to leave, memories of what we once had rush my mind....our time together before the rejection, the times that made me think we were meant to be. But those memories are contaminated now, and I won’t let them distort my judgment. Damian isn’t the man I thought he was.
• He steps in front of me, obstructing my route. “You don’t understand, Aria. You’re mine.”
• Those comments hit me like a punch to the gut. Mine? That’s what this is about? Damian doesn’t love me. He just hates the idea of losing power over me. I can see it in his eyes—this isn’t about regret or love. It’s about possession.
• “No, Damian,” I answer firmly. “I’m not yours. You rejected me, remember?”
• His expression darkens, and the shift in his mood is almost terrifying. “I didn’t know about Xander,” he mutters. “I didn’t know someone else would try to take what’s mine.”
• I flinch at the possessiveness in his voice. It’s not love. It’s obsession.
• “He doesn’t deserve you, Aria. I do,” Damian says, his voice low, almost threatening now. “He’s not one of us. He’s from a rival pack.”
• I stare at him, my rage increasing. “That doesn’t matter. He didn’t treat me like I was worthless. You did.”
• Damian’s eyes narrow, and I see the frustration simmering beneath the surface. He advances closer, his hand stretching out as if to touch me, but I take a step back.
• “I’m not falling for your lies again, Damian,” I reply, my voice quivering with emotion. “You don’t love me. You just want to control me.”
• His hand lowers to his side, and his expression turns from imploring to something darker, more threatening.
• Before I can respond, Damian grabs my arm, his grip firm and terrible. “Don’t say that,” he growls, his face inches from mine. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
• Fear shoots through me as I try to pull away, but his grip just tightens. “Damian, let go of me,” I say, my voice trembling. But he doesn’t listen. His eyes are wild now like he’s losing control, and for the first time, I grasp at how dangerous he is.
• “You belong to me,” he snarls, his fingers burrowing into my arm. “And I won’t let Xander take you from me.”
• Panic builds in my chest, and I push against him, but he’s too strong. My heart races, and for a moment, I believe I might be stuck. But then, just as fast as the anxiety set in, it’s gone because abruptly, Damian is yanked away from me.
• Xander.
• He emerges out of nowhere, his eyes burning with wrath as he shoves Damian back, releasing his hold on me. Damian falls, caught off guard, but he soon recovers, his eyes narrowing as he faces Xander.
• “What do you think you’re doing?” Damian spits, his voice full of hatred.
• Xander doesn’t even glance at him. His eyes are fixated on me, his hand reaching out to gently touch my arm, checking to see if I’m okay. I nod, my breath coming in short spurts, but the dread is slowly receding now that Xander’s here.
• “Touch her again,” Xander growls coldly, his voice low and threatening, “and you won’t live to regret it.”
• Damian glares at him, his hands clenched, but he doesn’t make a move. He knows better than to challenge Xander directly. Even Damian isn’t that careless.
• For a minute, the tension between them is oppressive, the air thick with unsaid threats. But then Damian takes a step back, his gaze flickering between me and Xander. He glances at me one final time, his face twisted with rage and something else—something almost like desperation.
• “This isn’t over,” he adds, his voice full of venom. “You’ll regret choosing him, Aria.”
• With that, Damian turns and stalks away, disappearing into the trees.
• I exhale, my whole body quivering from the adrenaline. Xander is still beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder, his presence calming the storm inside me.
• “He’s not going to give up, is he?” I inquire, my voice barely above a whisper.
• Xander’s jaw tightens, and he shakes his head. “No. But don’t worry, Aria. I’ll make sure he never touches you again.”