The Mate He Hates

Alpha Edward’s POV

The look of guilt was etched all over Amanda’s face when she realized I had caught them in the act. Pain and rage bubbled inside of me, and for a moment, I wished I could go over to Levi, grab him by the collar, and warn him to stay away from Amanda. But I couldn’t; I was confined to a wheelchair. What could I possibly do?

Amanda couldn’t look at me any longer and turned away. I noticed Levi whispered something to her, which I could hear. “See you tomorrow,” he said before making his way toward me. When he reached me, he grinned. “Goodnight, cousin,” he smirked and walked past me.

As Levi walked past, I felt a surge of anger and frustration. What was going on between them? Were they already having an affair? How could Amanda do this to me? And with my own cousin? Was this payback from her? I tried to calm myself down, taking deep breaths and focusing my attention on Amanda.

I looked up to see Amanda still standing there, her eyes avoiding mine. She knew she had been caught, and she knew she had hurt me deeply. I could see the guilt written all over her face, but there was something else in her eyes, something I couldn’t quite place.

Glancing at her, I noticed she was well-dressed, as was Levi, and I came to the conclusion that they had gone out on a date.

She hesitated for a moment before making her way towards me. When she got to me, she went silent for a moment before speaking. “Today was Levi’s birthday, and he asked me to go out with him,” she announced, while a bitter scoff left my lips.

“Really? Since when did you and Levi become friends, huh?” I asked bitterly. “Oh, since you realized I couldn’t use my legs anymore?”

“Stop it!” she yelled. “What are you trying to accuse me of? Are you saying I’m fucking your cousin?” she yelled while I swallowed in pain. “If that’s what you’re thinking, well, for now, you’re wrong, but who knows, it might not be for long. Maybe I’ll find more comfort in his arms than I ever did in yours. Maybe I’ll finally get the love and attention I deserve.”

Her words were like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. She showed no sign of remorse, only anger and hate.

“Good night, Alpha Edward.” With those final words, she left me, and a strand of tears fell on my cheek. I had to quickly wipe it off; I am an Alpha, Alphas are not allowed to cry and let their followers see it.

Turning my wheelchair away, I wheeled myself to the garden. Getting to the garden, I closed my eyes and let the tears fall freely on my cheeks. Amanda’s words played in my head, causing my heart to ache in pain. Yet again, Levi was going to take another mate from me.

Levi, with his charm and charisma, could win over any woman he desired. He always had that ability, a natural magnetism that I could never match, even when I was at my strongest.

Levi had always been able to get what he wanted, his charm disarming everyone around him. He had a way of making people feel special, and I could see how Amanda might be drawn to that. In my current state, I was no match for him.

The thought of Amanda being in his arms was killing me, and I hated myself for being so helpless. What could I possibly do? How could I possibly win her back? Not when I’m crippled, why would she want to be with a crippled man who hurt her?

Opening my eyes, I wiped off my tears, and memories of this place with Amanda played in my head. I remembered how we made love here the night before she left. It was one of the best nights of my life, and also one of the nights which made me realize I was actually in love with her. I had always loved Amanda, but never knew it because I was clouded by pain and hate.

“Alpha Edward.” I heard Matthew’s voice behind me and quickly composed myself.

“You are here all alone,” he said as he walked over to me and stood before me, his inquisitive eyes on me. “Have you been crying?” he asked, but I didn’t respond. Rather, I looked away.

“Is it because of Levi and Amanda going out? Are you scared?” Matthew asked while I sighed and closed my eyes. There was no need lying to him; Matthew knows me well.

“Levi wants her, Matthew. I could see it in his eyes, and whatever woman he wants, he gets her.”

“Not Amanda. Edward, Amanda is different,” Matthew assured me while I chuckled bitterly and shook my head. “You are wrong this time, Matthew. Amanda wants payback, and she will be with Levi to pay me back.” I sighed, while holding myself from breaking down.

“Amanda will not do that, Edward. She is just being friendly with Levi…”

“That was the same thing we thought about Veronica, my first mate, but guess what? She fell in love and ended up with him!” I grunted, my fear rising to its peak.

“Calm down, I will speak to Amanda…”

“There is no need speaking to her, Matthew. I don’t see a future with her. I mean, I’m crippled. What could I possibly give her?” I sighed and looked up at Matthew.

“Take me to her. I need to have a word with her.” I pleaded, and Matthew, who seemed confused, nodded and wheeled me back inside the mansion.

We didn’t use the stairs, but rather the elevator and arrived at the hallway.

We reached the door to Amanda’s room, and Matthew hesitated before knocking. “Are you sure you want to do this, Edward?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. “You can talk to her tomorrow.”

I shook my head, steeling myself for what’s to come. “I need to talk to her, Matthew.”

Matthew nodded and opened the door, wheeling me inside. Amanda looked up from her seat on the couch, a look of surprise on her face.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “We need to talk, Amanda. About what I saw earlier.”

Amanda’s expression changed, and she looked away, anger written all over her face. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, Alpha Edward.” She sneered.

“Amanda!” Matthew cautioned.

Amanda sighed and took a deep breath and began to speak, her words spilling out in a rush. “Levi asked me out on a date, and I didn’t see the harm in it. I thought it would be nice to get out of the house and have some fun.”

“Fun?” I repeated, my voice rising. “You call going out with my cousin fun?”

Amanda’s eyes flashed with anger. “Don’t be ridiculous, Alpha Edward. I’m not interested in Levi romantically. We were just having a friendly outing.”

I scoffed, disbelief etched on my face. “Friendly outing? At night? Alone?”

Amanda’s face reddened, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s none of your business what I do.”

I felt a pang in my chest, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. “You’re tearing me apart, Amanda. You’re ripping my heart to shreds.”

Amanda’s eyes snapped back to mine, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of remorse. But it was quickly replaced by anger. “I’m not doing anything wrong, Alpha Edward. I’m just living my life.”

I nodded, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “You’re living your life, all right. And I’m just a crippled Alpha, stuck in this chair, unable to do anything about it,” I said bitterly, and silence hung in the room.

“Amanda, you are right. You deserve better, so I want to set you free for a better man to have you, perhaps Levi.” I said, and Amanda turned to face me, her eyes etched with confusion.

“Let’s reject each other, and let’s do it now. After all, that has been what you always wanted.”

Amanda flared up, her eyes blazing with anger. “You think that’s what I wanted all along? To be free of you? You think I went through all this pain just to end up with your cousin?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “I don’t know what to think anymore, Amanda. I just know that you deserve better, and I can’t give you that.”

Her face twisted in pain and anger. “Don’t you dare decide what I deserve. You don’t get to make that choice for me.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Matthew, sensing the rising tension, stepped forward. “Edward, maybe we should-”

“No,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “We need to settle this now.”

Amanda crossed her arms, her gaze cold and unyielding. “Fine. You want to end this? Then let’s end it. But don’t you dare think for a second that this is about Levi. This is about you and your inability to see beyond your own pain.”

Her words stung, but I held my ground. “If that’s how you feel, then let’s make it official.”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed. “Fine, let’s do it!”