The Mate He Hates

Alpha Edward’s POV

Kicking everything in my way, I grunted and ran a hand through my hair. What Matthew had told me kept replaying in my head, making me feel insane as I struggled to accept it. How could it be? How could she turn out to be his mate?

A surge of jealousy, anger, and possessiveness washed over me. I couldn’t explain the emotions bubbling inside of me.

I thought of Matthew and wondered how much he must have endured. He must have gone through a lot until now he decided to speak. And he also made mention of loving her? Of course, he was supposed to love her; she was his mate!

A frustrated groan left my lips as I ran a hand through my already scattered hair. I felt panicked, restless, and bothered. If Amanda was indeed Matthew’s mate, then I have done a horrible thing to my best friend. But come to think of it, it wasn’t my fault. I never knew they were mates, and he never mentioned it. And come to think of it, Amanda was my wife; we are married, and…

“Shit!” I had totally forgotten about our marriage. Remembering our marriage, I went to my drawer, pulled it out, and took out our marriage ring.

Getting home that day, I dropped the ring in this drawer and never took it out. My thoughts went to Amanda and her ring. I can’t remember seeing that ring on her finger. Where must she have kept it? Did she throw it away? That was a customized gold ring. I made it, especially for Elisa, and it cost a lot of money. Could she have thrown it away?

“Fuck! Why am I so worried about a ring!” I grunted and rubbed my hands on my face before sitting on the couch. I went into deep thinking and thought about something. Matthew made mention of Amanda being innocent and how he was going to prove it. Was that really true, or was he saying that because she was his mate? Come to think of it, I realized I never investigated the death of Elisa. But why should I do that? I met Amanda in the room, so what better explanation do I need to hear? Or is there a mix-up and misunderstanding?

“Goodness!” My head was becoming messed up. I thought for an instant, what if Amanda was truly innocent? What if I have been wrong all this while? How do I pay for the terrible things I have done to her, and how do I release her to Matthew? She is my wife, for goodness’s sake!

“I’m going insane!” I grunted. Just then, a knock came on the door, and I frowned. I wanted to send the person away, but I realized it was Aunt; I had to let her in.

“The door is open.”

Aunt pushed the door open, stepped into the room, and shut the door. Her gaze fell on me, concern etched on her face.

“What is wrong?” She seemed bothered as she took the couch right across from me.

“Is there something bothering you?” Aunt asked, and I didn’t know what to say to her. Of course, a lot was bothering me, but how could I explain it to her when I couldn’t explain it to myself?

“Son? You can talk to me.” She urged, and I sighed and took a deep breath. “An issue was brought to me to settle, and I am confused on how to give my judgment.” I lied; that was the only way to tell her what was bothering me.

“A case? What kind of case would make you look so worried and restless?”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I sighed and thought of a way to say it to her.

“Two best friends brought a case to me…” I trailed off.

“Yes, go on.” She urged.

“The first friend is married to a woman who isn’t his mate. The lady was indebted to him, so to pay him, the man asked the woman to marry him so she could pay off her debt by her body. He has been with this woman for a couple of weeks, and suddenly, the second friend is claiming that the woman the first friend got married to is his mate.” I paused and saw that Aunt was confused.

“When he was getting married to the woman, was his friend not aware? Had he not seen the woman before?” Aunt inquired, and I sighed. Matthew was not there when I married Elisa. In fact, he was out of the country. If he were present that day, maybe he would have stopped me.

“The friend was out of the country; he only heard his friend was married, and when he came back, he realized the woman his friend got married to was his mate. At first, he was silent about it and didn’t let anyone know, but now he has decided that he loves his mate and wants her.” I explained with a sigh.

“This is complicated.” Aunt shook her head and thought for a moment before she replied. “What about the woman? What does she have to say in all this?”

“Obviously, she wants to be with her mate,” I grumbled.

Aunt nodded and sighed. “Then the friend should let the lady go; after all, she isn’t his mate.”

“But they are married; what about their marriage? And also, she is indebted to him. What about the debt? Doesn’t it mean something?” I was getting frustrated.

Aunt glanced at me for a moment before she responded. “Their marriage wasn’t based on love but on paying debts. The man nor the lady doesn’t love each other, so why would the man not release the lady to his friend? If he really cares for his friend, he will let go of any debt the lady is owing and give her back to her mate; that is the right thing to do.” Aunt concluded, and I groaned inwardly.

Aunt’s words echoed in my mind, resonating with a truth I didn’t want to face. If Amanda truly belonged to Matthew, then keeping her bound to me was selfish and unjust. But releasing her meant admitting my failures, my blindness to what was right in front of me.

“What if the debt is substantial?” I asked, grasping at straws for a reason to hold onto her.

“Debts can be settled in ways other than marriage,” Aunt replied calmly. “If she truly wants to be with her mate, then the debt should not be a barrier. True love transcends material obligations.”

I frowned and looked away.

“But you are the alpha, and any judgment you will give, I believe will be the right one.” She gave me a comforting smile before getting on her feet. “Don’t overthink about it.” She pecked my cheek before leaving my room.

After she left, I groaned and kicked the center table away; I was feeling frustrated and angered.

“Guards!” I called, and two guards entered my room.

“Get me Amanda.”

They bowed and left. I didn’t know why I had sent for her, but I just wanted to see her. Moments later, Amanda was escorted into my room by the guards.

“Leave us,” I instructed the guards, who bowed and left.

My gaze interlocked with hers, and she didn’t look away; instead, she stared back at me. My eyes roamed around her body. Despite the baggy dress she wore, I could still see her curvy shape, which made me uncomfortable in my seat as my dick jerked.

“Undress,” I demanded, my gaze holding hers.

She frowned and shook her head. “I am Beta Matthew’s mate; I can’t do what you ask of me,” she refused, and that got me up on my feet. I walked over to her and towered over her.

“You are my wife,” I asserted, my voice low and commanding. “I have every right to you.”

Amanda’s gaze remained steady, her defiance evident despite the fear flickering in her eyes. “I am his mate,” she countered, her voice trembling slightly. “I belong to him, not to you.”

My jaw clenched at her words, possessive rage bubbling up within me. Without another word, I grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head against the wall, my grip firm but not harsh enough to hurt her. “You are mine,” I growled, my breath hot against her skin. “You are indebted to me, and until you are proven innocent, you still belong to me. Do not forget that.” With a frustrated growl, I released her wrists and stepped back.

“Now, as an obedient wife, you will undress and lay on the bed.”