The Mate He Hates

Amanda’s POV

I held his gaze, confused by what he had just said. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me right, dear wife; your place is right here with me,” he stated firmly, with no hint of humor in his voice.

“I’m not your wife,” I shook my head and tried to release myself from his grip, but he tightened his arm around my waist and scoffed. “Really? It seems you have forgotten our marriage vows; well, you might have forgotten, but I haven’t. We are married, and you and Matthew will have to accept that,” he said, sounding serious, which made me frown and look at him with disbelief; he was acting strangely.

“Now tell me, where is your ring?” he questioned as he took hold of my hand and checked my finger. “Where did you keep it?” He sounded displeased not to see it on my finger.

“Where is it?” he asked again, and I furrowed my brow, staring at him with confusion and questioning gaze. I couldn’t believe he would ask about the ring after all this time.

“Where did you keep it?” he demanded, and I frowned. “I can’t remember.” I lied. Actually, I threw the ring in my cell, and I was sure it was still there.

“I don’t believe that.” The expression on his face showed that he knew I was lying.

“Tell me where it is now.” He commanded, but I remained silent.

“Men!” he called, and two guards came in.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“Go into her cell and search for a gold ring; when you find it, bring it to me,” he instructed the men while I just stared at him, dumbfounded.

The men left, and Alpha Edward let go of me and sat on the couch. I watched him take a sip of his drink while I just stood there, fuming with anger and irritation.

“Have a seat,” he urged, but I found it strange. He had never asked me to sit before.

“I said, have a seat,” he demanded, and I was forced to sit on one of the single-seater couches.

An awkward silence filled the room as neither of us said a word. I could see his eyes fixed on me, making me uncomfortable. I just wanted to leave; I couldn’t even bear to stay in a room with him.

The guards came back with the ring and handed it over to Alpha Edward, who stared at it for a moment before asking them to leave.

After they left, I saw him get up from his seat and go into the bathroom. At first, I wanted to use that as an opportunity to leave, but I knew that would be a bad idea, so I had to stay back.

A few moments later, he returned with the ring still in his hand and walked over to where I sat.

“Here, wear it,” he demanded as he stretched forth the ring for me. I looked at the ring for a moment before lifting my gaze to look at him. “I should wear it?” I asked, confused, and he nodded.

“We are married, and this ring symbolizes our marriage,” he stated firmly, and I frowned. Something was definitely wrong with him; he had been acting weird.

“I’m sorry, I can’t wear that, and besides, this marriage was forced.”

He growled and took my hand, and I tried to withdraw my hand, but he held it firmly.

“It’s either you allow me to put it on you peacefully, or I’ll break your fingers and still put it on, so make your choice,” he threatened, and I swallowed in fear before giving in.

He took hold of my hand and put the ring on me. Frowning, I stared at my finger before withdrawing my hand away.

“It should always be on you; don’t even think of taking it off,” his words sounded like a warning.

He stared at me for a moment before he returned to his seat. His eyes were constantly on me, making me uncomfortable. Everything seemed strange and weird.

A knock came on the door, and he asked the person in. When the door opened, two maids walked in with trays of food in their hands. p

“Drop it over there,” he instructed the maids, who did as he had said. After the maids left, he turned to me. “The food is for you; come over and eat.”

I furrowed my brow at his words, wondering if I had heard him wrong.

“I believe I didn’t speak Latin; come over here and eat your meal,” he demanded, and I still couldn’t believe I heard him right.

“I should…” I trailed off.

“It’s either you get up and come over here, or I’ll do it my way,” he threatened, forcing me to stand on my feet.

Shocked and confused, I walked over to the table and sat on a couch right across from him.

“Now eat,” he urged.

At first, I couldn’t pick up the spoon. Instead, I interlocked gazes with him, wondering if he was really Alpha Edward or maybe someone was impersonating him. I mean, why would he ask the maid to bring me a meal?

“Eat, Amanda; the food is getting cold,” he urged.

Gulping nervously, I picked up the spoon, took a small portion of the food, and put it into my mouth. As I chewed, I realized his gaze was fixed on me, but this time not with anger, but with an expression I couldn’t just place.

“Keep eating, wife; you will need a lot of strength for the next round,” he smirked, and I frowned. Next round? Does it mean we would have sex again?

“Take off that frown on your face; I know you loved it,” he smirked, which I found irritating. His behavior was strange and new, and it was all thanks to Beta Matthew’s plan.

“Keep eating,” he urged.

I forced myself to take a few spoons, and when I could no longer, I decided to stop.

“I’m full. Can I go?”

He scoffed and got up from his seat. He moved over to my side and lowered himself above me. “Your husband is sweaty and would want you to bathe him, so join me in the bathroom,” he smirked and stood upright, with an annoying smug playing at the left corner of his cheek.

“I can’t,” I murmured, feeling the weight of his gaze. “I belong to your Beta.”

I heard him scoff as he lowered himself onto me.

“In case you’ve forgotten,” he began, his voice laced with bitterness, “you killed my mate. It was supposed to be her duty-to love me, care for me, bathe with me, and satisfy my sexual urges. But you took her away from me because you were jealous and wanted me, didn’t you? Now, you have me all to yourself. You’ll perform the duties of my mate.”

Those were his last words before he left me, disappearing into the bathroom.