The Mate He Hates

Amanda’s POV

“But what, Matthew?” I asked, while getting closer to him. My heart was thumping in my chest.

“Alpha Edward was shot by poisoned arrows, but he is fine.” He tried reassuring me, but my heart dropped at his words, and my body froze in place. “Poisoned arrows? What do you mean, is he fine?” I demanded, my voice trembling.

Matthew sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “The poison was strong, but Edward is a fighter. The healers are working on him as we speak.”

I swallowed hard, trying to process the information. The relief that he was alive battled with the fear of the unknown.

“Where are they?” I asked in panic.

“They are almost here…”

I heard the sounds of cars driving into the mansion, and I quickly ran out of the sitting room. Getting outside, I noticed some warriors getting out of the car, but there was no Alpha Edward. “Where is he?” I asked in panic, but just then, I noticed the men went to one of the cars, and someone was brought out of it. Instantly, I recognized him as Alpha Edward. My eyes widened when I realized he was put on a stretcher while the men carried him on their shoulders and approached us.

“What…” I stuttered in fear as I almost fell to the ground, but a hand gripped me, and when I turned, I realized it was Levi. “He is not dead,” Levi whispered to me, and I gulped in pain and fear.

The men carried him into the mansion, and we followed behind. They carried him up the stairs until we arrived at his room, and he was taken off the stretcher and laid on his bed. Panicked, I tried going to him, but Levi stopped me. “Not now. The healers need to work on him without interruption,” he said, and I swallowed my tears and settled my gaze on Alpha Edward.

I noticed he had no bruises on his body but realized there were arrow holes in his knees. My heart clenched in pain, and tears threatened to fall down my cheeks, but I held them back. I didn’t want to seem weak before everyone.

The healers continued their incantations while everyone just stood aside and watched a half-conscious Alpha Edward, who hadn’t opened his eyes since he arrived. But I could tell he was alive because of his shallow breathing.

Soon, the wounds on his knees disappeared, and I sighed in relief. The healers didn’t stop, but continued with their incantations until I noticed Alpha Edward slightly opened his eyes, and I inhaled deeply. I could hear the relieved sighs from everyone in the room as his two eyes were finally open.

Impulsively, I rushed to Edward’s side. “Edward,” I whispered, my voice shaky. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, it was just the two of us in the room. He was pale and weak, but alive.

“Amanda,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. I could see the pain etched on his face, but there was also a glimmer of joy in his eyes.

I was so scared,” I confessed, tears welling up in my eyes. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Edward reached out, his hand trembling as he took mine. “I’m still here,” he said softly. “I promised you and Liam I’d come back.”

The healers moved closer. “Alpha, can you feel your legs?” One of the healers asked and I furrowed our brows. Why would they be asking that?

“Please move your legs,” they suggested. I watched Alpha Edward trying to move his legs, but he couldn’t. In fact, his legs felt so heavy for him.

“What is wrong with his legs? Why can’t he move them?” I directed these questions to the healer, but they didn’t respond. Instead, they placed their hands back on Alpha Edward’s knees and began their incantation.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Alpha Edward’s breathing grew more labored, and I could see the strain on his face. The healers worked tirelessly, their incantations growing more intense, but the worry in their eyes did little to ease my fear. Matthew, who had been standing nearby, stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“He’s strong, Amanda. He’ll pull through this,” Matthew whispered, though his voice was thick with concern.

I clung to his words, desperate for hope. The minutes stretched into an eternity as the healers continued their work. My mind raced with thoughts of what might happen if Alpha Edward couldn’t walk again. What would that mean for him, for the pack, for us?

Finally, one of the healers stepped back, her face pale. “The poison was potent, and it has affected his nervous system. We have neutralized it, but it will take time for his body to recover fully. He will need rest and rehabilitation.”

I nodded, trying to absorb everything. “But he will walk soon, right?”

The healer hesitated before responding. “It’s too soon to say for certain. We have done all we can for now. The rest is up to him and his will to recover.”

I frowned at her words and looked at Alpha Edward, who couldn’t look at me; rather, he looked at the healer. “Stop beating around the bush and go straight to the point. Don’t lie or keep anything from me,” he demanded. The healer bowed and hesitated for a moment. “The poison on the arrow was a dangerous one, and despite healing you of it, it had already poisoned your bones…” She paused while I swallowed in fear. “Go on,” Alpha Edward urged, his voice strained.

“Alpha… I doubt you can use your legs again,” she announced, and my heart hitched.

The room fell silent, the tension thick and suffocating. Edward’s hand tightened around mine for a moment before he let go.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath. “An alpha who can’t walk… what kind of leader am I? What kind of protector?”

“You’re still the same strong, brave alpha,” Matthew spoke up, and tears welled up in my eyes. “And we’ll find a way. There are other healers, other remedies. We’ll keep searching.”

Edward’s eyes met mine, and I saw the pain and vulnerability he rarely showed. “And if we don’t? What then?”

Matthew went silent, and I swallowed in pain.

“Everyone out,” he ordered, his voice low and filled with anger. “Now!”