The Mate He Hates

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I staggered back, the weight of her accusations pressing down on me. The memories of every hurtful word, every act of cruelty I had inflicted on her came rushing back. I wanted to protest, to argue that I hadn’t known, that I had been deceived too, but the truth was, nothing could excuse the pain I had caused her.

“Amanda, I-” I began, but she cut me off, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt.

“Do you know what it’s like to live in constant fear, Alpha Edward? To wake up every day wondering what fresh hell awaits you? You took everything from me: my dignity, my peace, my hope. And now, you expect me to just forgive and forget because you were also a victim of deceit?” Her voice cracked, but she held herself with a strength that made me realize just how much I had underestimated her.

“I don’t regret lying to you, and for the mate bond, I don’t want to be your mate. I’d rather be wolfless than bear your mark and be your mate!” she yelled, and I frowned at her words.

Amanda, you…” I stopped when I noticed Liam making his way to the living room.

A gulp formed in my throat as I stared at Liam; he was my son, my flesh, and blood, and he doesn’t even have a tiny knowledge about it. Liam’s eyes widened with curiosity as he looked around the room, sensing the tension. My heart ached as I watched him, a boy who had no idea of the storm swirling around him. I wished I could hug him and announce to him that I’m his father and he was my son, but I knew that would be too rational, so I held back myself and swallowed my pain.

Amanda quickly moved towards Liam, shielding him. “Liam, sweetheart, why don’t you go play in your room for a little while?” she said gently, her voice strained. Liam nodded slowly. “Okay, Mama.” He glanced at me curiously before he walked out. My heart fluttered in my chest; Liam was my son, my first seed.

As soon as he was gone, Amanda turned back to me, her expression hardening. “We can’t tell Liam the truth, at least not now.” She demanded, but I shook my head. “I’m not in this with you; I’m telling my son that I’m his father…” I stated firmly, and Amanda chuckled bitterly, her angry gaze interlocking with mine. “His father? You call yourself his father? Do you even know one thing about Liam? Do you know his likes and dislikes?” She mocked while I clenched my fist with anger and pain. “You just happen to be Liam’s biological father, but you are not his dad. You haven’t earned that title. You don’t get to just claim him because of blood.”

Her words were like knives, cutting deep. I took a step back, my mind reeling. She was right. I had no idea about the boy’s life, his joys, his fears. I had been robbed of those moments, but could I really be blamed for it?

“And it’s all your fault! Not mine! You two kept my son away from me!” I yelled.

“Yes, I did! My son deserves a good father and not one as brutal and heartless as you. What will you teach him? Huh? How to torture and inflict pain on people without a proper investigation?” She spat, and I glared at her. “I’m not a monster; circumstances turned me into what I turned out to be!”

“I don’t care, just stay away from my son…”

“Our son, you mean?” I stated firmly, and Amanda stared at me with anger and hate, but I wasn’t bothered about it.

“Listen, you can decide not to be mates with me, but we will have to figure a way how to tell Liam the truth; he is my son, and I’m not letting go of him.”

Amanda looked at me, her eyes hardening again. “The only thing we need to figure out is how to keep you out of his life. You’ve caused enough damage, Alpha Edward.”

“I won’t stay away from him, Amanda. He’s my son, and I have a right to be in his life. I’ll fight for that right if I have to.”

She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “You think you can just demand to be a part of his life? After everything? You think you can waltz in and claim him like a prize?”

“What happened between us has nothing to do with Liam. Liam is my son, and there is nothing you or anyone could do about it.” I stated firmly.

Amanda gave me a daggering glare; it was obvious she hates me so much and the sight of that pained me. It pained me to know that she hates me this much. We locked gazes, and I could see that she wanted to say something, but she held back her words and walked out of the sitting room.

After she left, I turned to Matthew, who had been quiet. “How could you?” I asked with pain and anger. “How could you betray me in such a manner, Matthew? I’m not just your alpha, but we are best friends!” I demanded with pain.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Matthew looked down, his face a mixture of regret and guilt. “I did what, I thought, was right, Edward. You were blinded by rage and grief, and Amanda was suffering because of it. She was dying inside, and I had to save her, even if it meant betraying you. And about Liam… I was trying to protect him too.”

“Protect him from what? From his father?” I spat, my voice trembling with anger and hurt.

“From the man you had become,” Matthew replied quietly. “You were not in your right mind. The rage, the grief, the manipulation by Elisa’s mother-they had turned you into someone unrecognizable. I couldn’t let that version of you destroy everything. I hoped that, given time, you would see the truth and come back to your senses. But until then, I had to keep Amanda and Liam safe.”

“Really?” I scoffed in pain. “So I’m the bad person here!” I spat in anger. “Do you know or realize what I was going through? Believe me Matthew, if you were in my shoes, you would have done worse. Don’t play that saint card on me!” I yelled before storming out of the living room.