The Mate He Hates

Alpha Edward’s POV

I could see the terrified look on Amanda’s face as she quickly arranged herself and got up from the table. She looked so worried, and the sight bothered me. “Calm down,” I said to her, but she eyed me and glanced at the door.

“Who is there?” I questioned.

“Alpha, it’s I.” I recognized the voice as one of my men. “Yes, what is it?”

“Alpha, it’s time for your private meeting with Alpha Linus.”

“Prepare the car. I will be out shortly.”

“Roger that, Alpha,” he said and left.

Turning around, I met with a furious-looking Amanda, and before I could say a word, a slap landed on my cheek. It was shocking, but somehow, I wasn’t angry; I just felt numb.

“How dare you?” she spat with anger while I raised a brow at her. “You…” Her voice broke with rage, and I saw her inhale deeply, close her eyes, open them and then glare at me. “Stay away from me, Alpha Edward. If you come anywhere close, I will tell this to Matthew.” She threatened, and I raised a brow at her. “Is that to scare me?” I questioned and saw her fuming with anger.

I took a step closer to her so that we were just an inch apart. “The last time I checked, you are still my wife. Or have you forgotten that?” I raised a brow and saw her eyes widen in shock.

“Excuse me?” she retorted, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and disbelief. “How dare you even mention that after everything you’ve done? You think you can just control me because of a title? Because of a stupid fake marriage?”

Her words cut deep, but I kept my composure, stepping even closer until I could feel the heat of her anger radiating off her. “Amanda, listen to me,” I said quietly, my tone steady. “I’m not trying to control you. I just need you to understand…”

“Understand what, Alpha Edward?” she interrupted, her voice rising. “That you think you own me? That you can do whatever you want without any consequences? Well, guess what? I’m not afraid of you. And I will report this to Matthew if you keep pushing me. Let him know the kind of man you are, a friend who wants his best friend’s mate!”

The mention of Matthew’s name ignited a spark of jealousy and frustration within me. “Matthew can’t take you from me, Amanda,” I declared, my voice low and dangerous. “You are mine, and no one can change that.”

She laughed bitterly, a sound that echoed painfully in the room. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m not some possession for you to claim. I’m a person, Alpha Edward. I have my own life, my own choices.”

Before I could respond, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving me standing there, seething with a mixture of anger and helplessness. I watched her go, the slam of the door echoing in my ears, and clenched my fists.

“Prepare the car,” I barked to the guard who had been waiting outside. “I’m leaving now.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he replied, scurrying away to follow my orders.

As I made my way to the car, I couldn’t shake the image of Amanda’s furious, defiant eyes from my mind. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

We arrived at the hotel where the meeting would take place, and I got out of the car. I walked into the hotel, and while at the entrance, I spotted Matthew. His back was turned, but I could easily recognize him. He was standing at the reception, talking to the receptionist while a lady stood beside him, clinging to him like they were lovers.

My brow furrowed as I watched Matthew take the keys from the receptionist and walk away with the lady. Confused, I watched them enter the elevator and vanish from my sight.

For a moment, I didn’t move from the spot I stood. I was confused about why Matthew was here. From what I remembered, he should be at the combat ground and not here. He wasn’t even aware of the meeting I was having here.

Seeing Matthew with the unfamiliar woman raised countless questions in my mind. Why was he here? Who was that woman? And what was he doing in a hotel, especially when he was supposed to be at the combat ground?

“Jack,” I called the attention of one of my men. “Keep an eye on Beta Matthew,” I said, and he nodded.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I met with Alpha Linus in the room he had booked, and we began the private meeting. But constantly, my thoughts would drift to Amanda, and then Matthew and the blonde-haired lady. Suspicion rose within me, and I hoped it wasn’t what I was thinking. Matthew couldn’t be having an affair; it couldn’t be possible.

“Beta Matthew spotted leaving the hotel with the same woman, heading towards the city outskirts,” the man I asked to check on Matthew told me through the mind link.

I clenched my jaw, my suspicions intensifying. What the hell was Matthew up to? And why was he sneaking around behind my back?

Alpha Linus called back my attention, and I tried to focus on the meeting until we were through and shook hands. Leaving the hotel room, I made a call to one of my trusted men.

“I need information about a blonde-haired girl. I saw her with Matthew, and I want to know who she is and what her relationship with Matthew is.”

“Roger that, Alpha.”

I ended the call, got into the car, and asked my driver to take me back home. Inside the car, I began pondering the possibility of Matthew cheating on Amanda. The thought seemed ridiculous; why would any man in his right senses cheat on Amanda when she’s the most amazing woman anyone could ask for? It didn’t add up.

Arriving at the mansion, I entered the living room and met Amanda making her way towards the stairs. Our gaze interlocked, and she glared at me.

“Amanda,” I called, but she ignored me. “Where is Liam? I haven’t seen him today,” I asked curiously, wondering why I hadn’t seen the charming kid around.

“He followed his father to the combat ground. Do you have any problem with that?”

“Matthew?” I asked, and she raised a brow. “Who did you think I was talking about?” She stared at me with questioning eyes, but I nodded and walked away.

Arriving at my study, I began pacing around, not wanting to believe what I was thinking in my head. But why would he lie that he was at the combat ground when actually he wasn’t, and where did he keep that kid.

Curiously, I made a mind link to the head warrior, and he connected.

“Greetings, Alpha.”

“Is Beta Matthew there?” I asked.

“No, Alpha, he was here but has left about an hour ago,” the head warrior responded, and I wasn’t surprised by it, but then my curiosity piqued. “Is there a little boy there? Did he come with his son?”

“Yes, Liam is here with me,” the head warrior responded, and I frowned. “Keep an eye on that kid, make sure he doesn’t injure himself, and don’t tell Beta Matthew that I asked of his whereabouts.”

“Roger that, Alpha.”

I ended the mind link and ran a hand through my hair. Matthew was up to something, and it better not be what I’m thinking.