The Mate He Hates

Alpha Edward’s POV

For the past three days, Amanda has been making sure to avoid me. She ensured our paths didn’t cross. Despite my busy schedule, I made sure to eat at the table to see her, but she never showed up. Only Sophie and Liam appeared at the table.

My thoughts drifted to the last time I saw her, when we made out right here in my office. I could recall how she moaned for my touch, making me wonder if she was also feeling what I felt.

A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts, and I asked the person to come in. Walking in was one of the spies I had sent to investigate Matthew.

“Any news?” I asked, eager to know what Matthew had been up to.

“Greetings, Alpha.” He bowed his head, and I gestured for him to speak.

“Sire, according to my findings, I am 100% sure that Beta Matthew is having an affair with a woman named Lina.”

“Her name is Lina?” I raised a brow, and he nodded. “Yes, sire. Inside here is all the information you will need.” He stepped forward and handed me a brown envelope.

“Thank you.”

He bowed before leaving and shutting the door. After he left, I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should open the file or not. I knew I shouldn’t be monitoring Matthew’s private life, but I couldn’t help it. I was curious and eager to know if he had been cheating on Amanda.

Taking a deep breath, I unsealed the envelope and took out the first document. The contents felt heavy in my hands. The first item was a photograph. Lina was a striking woman with long blonde hair, standing close to Matthew in a dimly lit bar. The next few photos showed them together in various intimate settings: romantic dinners, bars, and even at the park. He was moving freely with this woman, not fearing Amanda might catch him.

Feeling enraged, I set the photographs aside and read the typed report. It detailed their meetings, times, and locations, confirming my suspicions-Matthew was having an affair with Lina.

I thought back to Amanda, remembering her laugh, her smile, the way she felt in my arms. A part of me wanted to protect her from this pain, but another part of me wanted to confront Matthew directly and demand answers.

I realized my suspicions were correct. Amanda hasn’t been touched by Matthew; in fact, they might just be co-parenting and nothing more. This explains why they were able to live away from each other without complaints.

My heart ached for Amanda, imagining what she must have gone through, having a mate who doesn’t love her and hasn’t touched her for years. It pained me to know that after leaving me, I thought she was going to be happy with Matthew, that he would show her love and make her happy. But it seems I was wrong; Matthew never loved Amanda. He was just drawn to her by the mate bond.

Grunting angrily, I slammed my fist onto the desk, causing a few papers to flutter to the ground. My emotions were a turbulent mix of rage, sorrow, and confusion. How could Matthew do this to Amanda? He was supposed to give her all the happiness in the world, he was supposed to love her and make her forget all I ever did to her. Why this?

I picked up the photos again, staring at them with renewed rage. The sight of Matthew’s carefree smile next to Lina’s made my blood boil. Amanda deserved better than this. She deserved someone who would cherish her, someone who would love her unconditionally. Someone like me.

I pushed the thought away, knowing it was selfish. Amanda had made her choice, and she had chosen Matthew. But seeing these pictures, reading this report, made me question everything. Did she know about the affair? Was she suffering in silence? Or had she accepted this as her fate, believing she had no other options?

A knock landed on my door, and I quickly put the stuff back into the envelope before asking the person to come in.

The door opened, and Liam stepped in, a big smile spreading across his face. “Liam, you are here?”

“Yes, Alpha Edward, can I come in?” he sought permission, and I chuckled at his words. “You are already in my office, Liam.”

“Oh!” He smiled and walked closer to me.

“Who showed you here? How did you find your way?” I asked, and he shrugged and took the seat before me.

“I was just moving around and spotted this door. I remember father told me this was your study, so I presumed you would be here.”

I smiled at his smartness and fixed my gaze on him. He looks so much like me, it was as if I was staring at the younger version of myself. His striking resemblance to me was so much that a silly thought came to my head, but I brushed it off-it couldn’t be possible.

“Is there something you need, Liam?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light despite the storm brewing inside me.

He looked down for a moment, his small hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “I just wanted to see you, father. You’ve been busy.”

Calling me his father brought a wave of emotions over me. I knew he was referring to me as godfather, but hearing him address me as father was overwhelming.

Gathering my emotions, I decided to speak. “I’m sorry, Liam. Things have been hectic,” I said, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “But I’m always here for you. Do you want to go out and play for a bit?”

His eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. “Can we? That would be great!”

I chuckled and rose to my feet. “Where do you want us to go?” I asked, not knowing what he would love us to do. It was funny how I had a lot of work in my hands, but I was willing to leave it all behind just to spend time with this kid.

“I heard you have a game room. Can we go there and play some games?”

I smiled at his enthusiasm and nodded. “Of course, we can go to the game room. Follow me.”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

As we walked down the hallways, Liam’s small hand slipped into mine, and the warmth of his touch sent a wave of unexpected tenderness through me. The worries and questions in my heart all vanished, and all that mattered was this kid. Currently, he was all that mattered.

When we reached the game room, Liam’s eyes widened with delight at the array of games and toys. “Wow, this is amazing!” he exclaimed, rushing over to a racing car simulator. “Can we try this one?”

I chuckled and nodded, helping him into the seat and setting up the game. As he raced virtual cars, his laughter filled the room, a sound so pure and innocent that it made me forget my worries, if only for a moment.

“You’re really good at this,” I said, watching him expertly navigate the track.

“I play a lot of this,” Liam replied, not taking his eyes off the screen. “But it’s more fun with you here.”

His words struck a chord deep within me. Despite all that had been happening in my life, these moments with Liam felt right and lovely. It was as if a missing piece of my heart had finally been found.

“Pick your team, father,” Liam urged, and my heart fluttered. Just that word from him was making me react in a way I couldn’t explain.

Smiling at him, I picked up the controller, and we began selecting our players. I watched how skillfully he chose the players.

Soon we began playing, and I noticed how skillful he was with the controller.

“You’re really good at this, Liam,” I said as he scored yet another goal against me.

He beamed at the compliment. “Thanks, father! You’re pretty good too, but I think I’m better!”

I laughed at his confidence. “You might be right about that.”

As we continued playing, I glanced at him every now and then, feeling a strange mix of emotions. The resemblance between us was uncanny, and his calling me father stirred something deep within me.

Suddenly, the door of the game room opened, and Matthew barged in. “Father!” Liam dropped the controller and ran to give Matthew a hug, who in return hugged him and kissed his head.

“How are you doing, son?” he asked.

“Doing great, Dad! Alpha Edward and I were playing this awesome game,” Liam said, his excitement obvious as he clung to Matthew.

Matthew smiled, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes when he glanced at me. “I’m glad you’re having fun, Liam,” he said, ruffling the boy’s hair affectionately. “But it’s getting late. You should be heading to bed soon.”

Liam pouted but didn’t argue. “Okay, Dad,” he said reluctantly. Then, turning back to me, he added, “Thank you for playing with me, Father. Can we do this again sometime?”

I forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil within. “Of course, Liam. Anytime you want.”

Liam beamed at me before reluctantly letting go of Matthew and heading toward the door, where a maid was waiting to take him. “Goodnight, father. Goodnight, Alpha Edward.”

As the door closed behind him, Matthew turned to me with anger-filled eyes. “Why did you send spies on me?”