The Mate He Hates

Amanda’s POV

A cold chill ran down my spine, and for a moment, Beta Matthew and I remained silent as we pondered our different thoughts. I knew this day would come. Every moment of my life, I dreaded this day, and now that it has arrived, I know I have already decided about it.

“Don’t worry, Amanda. I will talk to her…”

“For how long?” I said and looked at Beta Matthew, who had a worried look etched on his face. “How long will you decide to keep her secret? She is a woman and would love to have your attention in public. How long will you hide her?” I said while Beta Matthew sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I’m just so confused,” he muttered, and I stared at him with a weak smile. He seemed so worried about me; it was evident in him. But I think it is time I stop thinking about myself and think about the man who has helped me over the years.

“You will have to announce her,” I said, and Beta Matthew stared at me like I was insane. “Then what do we tell Alpha Edward? He will be so mad to know that you weren’t my mate and I lied to him. He might even suspect Liam is his son. Amanda, everything will go wrong if I tell him that we weren’t mates,” Beta Matthew spoke worriedly. I knew he was right, but I wouldn’t let him have issues with his mate just because of me.

“We can’t keep hiding your mate, Beta Matthew.”

“Let it be; I will look for other alternatives.”

“No, Beta Matthew, I won’t rob you of your happiness just because of my messed-up life,” I argued and heard Beta Matthew grunt as he got up.

I watched him pace around the room as he pondered his thoughts. “I know telling the truth will be disastrous, but Alpha Edward won’t know I am his mate. We can keep that away from him,” I suggested, and Beta Matthew sighed and looked my way.

“Alpha Edward has sent witch hunters to look for your stepmother,” Beta Matthew announced, and my eyes twitched. “Yes, and the people he hired are good at such jobs,” he added, and a nervous gulp passed down my throat. “I wish I could buy them off like I bought your father into not telling the truth, but I can’t buy them off. They are professionals, and if I dare mention bribing them, they will inform Alpha Edward, and you know what that means.” Beta Matthew explained while I remained silent as thoughts buzzed in my head.

“If your stepmother is alive, then I am sure they will find her, and once Alpha Edward gets her, she will spill the whole truth to him.”

I swallowed in fear as worry gripped me. Alpha Edward finding out the whole truth will be a disaster. Not only will he be furious, but he will also take Liam away from me.

“Amanda, I have something to tell you,” Beta Matthew paused, and I looked up at him, curious about what he wanted to say.

“It’s about Alpha Edward,” he said, and my curiosity piqued. “What about him?” I was eager to hear it.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Beta Matthew hesitated for a moment before he sighed. “You know I will never lie to you,” he said, while I nodded, wondering where all this was going. “Alpha Edward and I have been friends for a long time, and I know so much about him. I can easily predict all his moves. I know when he means his words and when he doesn’t.”

I raised a brow, and my curiosity piqued.

“Amanda, Alpha Edward is in love with you.” He announced, and my eyes widened. “He has been in love with you for over five years now, and the reason he didn’t come for you in France is because of the respect and love he has for me. He thought we were actually mates and together, and that single reason was the only thing that kept him away from you.” A lump formed in my throat, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

“Amanda, Alpha Edward is genuinely sorry for what he did to you. I shouldn’t say this to you, but I just have to do it. Every day, he regrets all he did to you, and he would give up everything he has to turn back the hands of time and rectify his mistakes.”

I remained silent, not knowing what to make of what he had just said to me. I was having mixed feelings about this. But then I recalled the death of my mother, and I frowned. There was no way I was forgiving him for that.

“Amanda…” Beta Matthew wanted to speak, but his phone ringing stopped him, and I watched him go for the phone. He picked up the call and listened to the person on the other end, and suddenly, a big smile spread across his face.

“Thank you. I will be there immediately,” he said excitedly, ending the call. He looked over at me, and his smile widened. It seemed he had received good news, and I was eager to know what it was.

“What is going on?”

His smile broadened. “I have found my lost sister.” He said, and I raised a brow at him. “Sister?”

“Yes, I have a sister who was lost just two days after her birth. It’s a long story, but for the past six years, I have been searching for her, but all the clues have been useless until now. I just got a call that they have found the midwife who stole my sister from my sleeping mother, and she has confessed and agreed to show us the family she gave my sister to.” Beta Matthew spoke excitedly, and a big smile spread across my face.

“I have to go, Amanda. I will be back soon.” He smiled at me before hurrying out of the room.

After he left, I sat back on the couch and began pondering the words he had told me. If Beta Matthew had said it, then I knew it was the truth, but why should it matter? And why was I having a tingling sensation in my body just at the mere thought that Alpha Edward loved me? This was a man I was supposed to hate, and his feelings for me shouldn’t change that.

A knock landed on my door, and it was a maid informing me breakfast was ready.

Leaving my room, I went downstairs to the dining table and met Alpha Edward, Liam, and Sophie, already seated.

“Good morning, everyone,” I greeted as I approached my seat.

“Good morning, Momma. How was your night?” Liam asked with a smile spreading across his face.

“It was fine, dear. How was yours?” I replied, trying to muster a smile.

“It was great! I dreamt about you, me, and Godfather,” Liam said enthusiastically, making my heart pound.

“What did you dream?” Alpha Edward asked, seemingly interested in Liam’s dream, but I wouldn’t let Liam talk about it.

“Liam can tell us after the meal; we should obey table manners,” I said with uneasiness, while wondering what Liam had dreamt this time.

I could feel Alpha Edward’s eyes on me, but I refused to meet his gaze. The revelation from Beta Matthew still swirled in my mind, creating a storm of emotions I couldn’t quite handle yet.

“Good morning, Amanda,” Alpha Edward greeted, his voice calm and steady. I nodded in acknowledgment, focusing on the food in front of me.

The maid helped Liam dish out his meal, but Liam shook his head as he called for her attention.

“Excuse me, miss, I don’t eat gizzard.” He announced to the maid, who nodded as she tried to take the gizzard out of his meal.

“You also don’t eat gizzards?” Alpha Edward asked, his voice filled with curiosity, and I fixed my gaze on him.

“Yes, Father, it makes me want to throw up whenever I do,” Liam responded, and I swallowed hard.

Alpha Edward’s gaze was fixed on me. His eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and something deeper-something I couldn’t quite place.

“I also don’t eat gizzard,” he announced, his suspicious gaze on me, and I couldn’t hold his gaze; instead, I looked away. It seemed Liam had shared many traits with him.

The air was thick with tension, and I could feel Alpha Edward’s gaze burning into me. It was obvious his curiosity had been piqued, and it would only take a matter of time before he started asking questions.

“Liam, what month and year were you born?” Alpha Edward popped that question out of nowhere, and my eyes widened.

“Really? You don’t know, Father?” Liam asked in disbelief. “No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?” Alpha Edward urged, his questioning gaze on me. It seemed he had suspected my greatest fear.

“I was born…” Liam’s words were cut short when he noticed Beta Matthew walking towards us. “Father.” He greeted Beta Matthew, who had an unreadable look on his face. Beta Matthew smiled at Liam before looking my way. “Amanda, could you please excuse me for a moment?”

I nodded and got up on my feet.

“What is going on?” Alpha Edward asked, looking curious and concerned.

“It’s a family matter,” Beta Matthew responded and gestured for me to leave with him, but I looked at Sophie, signalling her to make sure Liam didn’t say a word.

Leaving the dining room with Beta Matthew, we arrived at the sitting room, and I was shocked to see my aunt, my mother’s younger sister, there.

“Aunt,” I smiled widely and tried to approach her, but the entrance door opened, and my eyes widened at what I saw. Walking into the sitting room was my stepmother, Elisa’s mother, chained with a magical cord. Our eyes interlocked, and she frowned at me.

“Where is Alpha Edward? Tell him his present is here!” One of the men who escorted my stepmother spoke, and my breath hitched.