The Mate He Hates

Amanda’s POV

“Mother, I look so much like him,” Liam muttered as I led him away.

“No, you don’t, Liam. You are just seeing things wrongly,” I corrected him immediately, even though I knew he was right. This had been my initial fear about coming here. I was worried about Alpha Edward meeting Liam because Liam was his exact look-alike. I knew Alpha Edward would notice the resemblance, and it was beginning to trouble me.

“Mother, look properly. I look so much like him, Mom, his eyes, his…” Liam argued more.

“No, you don’t.” I shunned him, and he frowned before looking away. Luckily, we met Beta Matthew, who took him from me and offered to show Liam around the mansion.

After Liam went with Beta Matthew, I made my way to Sophia’s room and found her still arranging her things.

“Hi,” she greeted me, and I smiled before sitting on the bed.

“Are you comfortable here?” I was concerned about her. The war had made her leave many things behind.

“I think that question is supposed to be for you. Amanda, are you okay living here?” She raised a concerned brow at me, and I inhaled deeply.

“I don’t know. It’s not like I have a choice,” I murmured and saw her leave what she was doing to sit beside me.

“Aren’t you scared that he will recognize Liam as his son?”

“He doesn’t have his wolf yet, so there is nothing to be scared of,” I assured Sophia, who didn’t seem okay with my words.

“Well, it’s risky. You are taking a big risk by staying here.”

I nodded. She was right. Staying here was a big risk, but I had no other choice. “It will be just for a week. After a week, we will leave,” I assured Sophia and, at the same time, assured myself.

Sophia shrugged her shoulders and went back to unloading her things. “I’m just worried about you. Hell will break loose if Alpha Edward gets to know the truth,” she spoke, reminding me of my greatest fear.

“He won’t,” I assured her and, at the same time, reassuring myself.

Sophia glanced at me for a moment before shrugging her shoulders again. “I pray so.” She went back to unpacking her bags while I pondered in thought. I knew what Sophia said was right-hell would break loose if Alpha Edward got to know I had kept his son away from him for so many years. He would be furious, and heaven knows what he would do. A wave of fear flooded me, but I composed myself. Now wasn’t the time to get frightened.

Leaving Sophia’s room, I went back to my room. Feeling exhausted, I decided to take a nap. The only person who flooded my memory was Alpha Edward. Despite how much I hated him, I couldn’t stop the compelling attraction towards him. It was as if my body recognized and submitted to his touch and presence.

After five years of staying away, I thought I had gotten over him, but I was wrong. Seeing him again made me realize his effect on me was still there. And damn, he was still fucking hot. Age had nothing on him.

Sighing heavily, I forced myself to sleep and was awoken by a knock on my door. Grumbling from my sleep, I left the bed and went to the door to find a maid announcing dinner was ready.

“Thank you. I will be down shortly.” I closed the door and went to the washroom. After washing my face, I applied some face cream before heading to Liam’s room. When I got there, he wasn’t there, so I presumed he was still with Beta Matthew.

I continued to the dining room and was shocked to see Liam with Alpha Edward alone at the dining table.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of Liam sitting next to Alpha Edward at the dinner table. They were deep in conversation, and Liam was laughing at something Alpha Edward had said. My heart pounded in my chest, and I had to remind myself to breathe. Alpha Edward’s eyes flicked to mine as I entered, and for a split second, he held my gaze before returning his gaze to Liam.

“Greetings.” I greeted with unease, wondering what they must have talked about.

“Amanda,” Alpha Edward responded, his voice calm and collected. “Join us. Your son has been keeping me entertained.”

I forced a smile and walked over to them. “I hope he hasn’t been too much trouble.”

“Not at all,” Alpha Edward replied, his gaze lingering on Liam before returning to me. “He’s quite a smart young man.” He complimented, and I frowned inwardly. I believed that was a trait Liam took from him.

I took a seat opposite them, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me. Liam looked up at me with a grin, oblivious to the tension. “Mom, Alpha Edward was telling me about his adventures. Did you know he once fought off a group of ten men by himself?”

“Really?” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I glanced at Alpha Edward, who was watching me intently. “That was impressive.”

Alpha Edward chuckled. “I wouldn’t call it impressive, just another day in the life of an Alpha.”

I swallowed nervously and looked around, wondering where Beta Matthew and Sophia might have gone.

“Beta Matthew is attending to some duties and the maids told me Sophia went for a walk around the pack and isn’t back yet,” Alpha Edward muttered, as if he was reading my thoughts.

“Oh!” Was all I could say.

As dinner progressed, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Alpha Edward’s eyes kept drifting to Liam, and I knew he was seeing the resemblance too. My mind raced with plans to keep Liam occupied and away from Edward for the rest of our stay. The last thing I needed was for him to start asking questions.

After dinner, I quickly made an excuse to leave the table. “Liam, it’s time for bed. You’ve had a long day.”

“Already?” Liam whined, but I gave him a look, and he knew better than to argue. He said goodnight to Alpha Edward, who smiled and ruffled his hair, sending another jolt of panic through me.

“I’ll take him up,” I said, standing and taking Liam’s hand.

Alpha Edward stood as well. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

“No, that’s not necessary,” I said quickly, but Alpha Edward was already leading the way. I had no choice but to follow, my heart racing with every step.

When we reached Liam’s room, Alpha Edward leaned against the door frame, watching as I tucked him in. “Goodnight, Liam.”

“Goodnight, Alpha Edward,” Liam said sleepily, already half-asleep.

I kissed Liam’s forehead and turned to find Alpha Edward’s piercing gaze on me. “Amanda, can we talk?”

“I know what you want to talk about, but my response remains the same, Alpha Edward. I will never forgive you,” I muttered firmly before walking away, not giving him a chance to respond.

Getting back to my room, I took off my clothes and went into the shower. After taking a warm bath, I got dressed in my nightgown and lay on the bed, but I realized I couldn’t sleep as my mind was buzzed with thoughts.

Unable to sleep, I left my bed and decided to go over to the garden to get some fresh air.

I walked into the garden, the cool night air refreshing against my skin. I needed to clear my head and think of a way to get myself out of this mess. As I made my way to a bench, I stopped. Alpha Edward was standing there, his back to me, seemingly lost in thought.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

He turned as if sensing my presence, his eyes locking onto mine. “Amanda,” he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of the calm authority he always exuded.

“Alpha Edward,” I responded, my voice taut. I had no idea he would be here. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same,” he replied, stepping closer. “But I suspect you couldn’t sleep either.”

I crossed my arms, trying to maintain a calm composure. “I came for some fresh air. To clear my head.”

“Is that all?” His eyes bore into mine, and I felt a familiar spark, the one I had been trying to suppress since I saw him again.

“Yes, that’s all,” I said, but my voice wavered, betraying my unease.

Alpha Edward took another step forward, his presence making my heart race. “Amanda, we need to talk. I haven’t been at peace for the past five years. For the past five years, I have been tormented by the horrible things I did to you. Every night I go to bed, and you haunt my dreams and sleep…” He sounded so frustrated.

“Please, Amanda, what can I do to make you forgive me?” He pleaded, and a surge of anger rose within me. He thinks he could make me forget all he did to me just by apologizing?

“Bring back my mother to me…” I spat with hate. “Bring my mother back to life and then I will forget all you ever did to me and forgive you.”

He shook his head. “Believe me, I didn’t send any men to kill your mother. If I did, I would have accepted it a long time ago!”

“Then who did?” I spat.

He took a step closer. “I don’t know.”

I grunted. “You will never accept it, will you?”

“I would have, if only I had done it,” he responded, and I flared up. “I hate you, Alpha Edward, I hate you!” I yelled at him and turned to leave, but he held my wrist and pulled me to himself, my chest crashing against his, our eyes interlocking. For a moment, I lost my senses as I stared into his alluring green eyes. “Amanda, I didn’t do it,” his voice was low and calm, and I felt myself clinging to him, ridiculously wanting him to touch me. “You…” he lifted a finger and gently caressed my face. “What did you do to me? What did you do to my head, Amanda? It’s been five whole years and yet I can’t get over you.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“Amanda.”

“No, Alpha Edward, no…” my voice was breaking down from emotion. Memories flooded my head, bringing back pain I had long buried. “Let me go.” I struggled to release myself from his grip, but it was just too tight.

“Tell me, Amanda, don’t you feel the same way I feel?” he questioned, while I raised a brow at him. “I can’t be the only one feeling the surge of attraction towards you; I believe you do too.”

“I don’t!” I lied.

“Really?” He raised a brow at me. “Then there is only one way to find out.” Before I could think, he sealed his lips with mine.