The Mate He Hates

Alpha Edward’s POV

The festival drew a crowd just as expected. Every member of the pack, even those from far away, came for the festival, and the field was so crowded.

Making my way to where I would be seated with other deities, everyone who saw me bowed their heads, and I exchanged greetings with some childhood friends before getting to my seat. I exchanged greetings with my gammas and council of elders and then a few alphas who attended before taking my seat, which looked like a throne.

After settling down, I declared the festival to begin, and drums began to play. It was a cultural festival, so only local drums and instruments were used. As the drums played, dancers began to dance around the fire while people cheered and watched.

After the dancers entertained us, the next set of people to entertain us were the warriors. They showcased their skills, and soon the wrestling began. Some fought in their human form, while some in their wolf form. The winners won prizes, which were given to them by Matthew.

My eyes scanned around, and I noticed Levi standing in a corner, but he seemed lost as his eyes were fixed on something. Curious to know what he was staring at, I looked in the direction of his eyes, and that was when it dawned on me that he was staring at Amanda. For a second, I had forgotten that she would be out for the festival.

She was standing where other prisoners were lined up. Her clothes were clean and neat, and her hair was neatly packed. Although she was wearing the clothing of the prisoners, and her both hands were chained, yet she still stood out among the crowd; her beauty was something that could easily spot her out in the midst of the crowd. Her eyes were lowered to the ground, and it was obvious she didn’t seem interested in the festival.

My eyes moved back to the direction of Levi, and I noticed he was still lustfully staring at her, his gaze fixed on her.

A sudden rush of jealousy and possessiveness enveloped me, and I gritted my teeth while glaring at him. For a long moment, his eyes never left her, and I knew that was not a good sign. I know Levi and the things he was capable of doing.

“Guard,” I called the head guard who was standing right behind me. “Tell some guards to keep a close eye on my prisoner. They should make sure Levi doesn’t talk or meet with her. If Levi insists on seeing her or getting close to her, tell him it is my order that he shouldn’t get close to her,” I stated firmly, and the head guard nodded.

I relaxed back on my throne and tried to pay attention to the events of the festival, but I couldn’t. Constantly, I would look in Levi’s way and then at Amanda, who hadn’t taken her eyes off the ground.

Finally, the important event of the night came, where I would have to fight anyone who would challenge. Rising to my feet, the crowd roared, and I began taking off my shirt, handed it to a guard, and then I took off my shoes, my wristwatch, and chains.

I went to the center of the field, and the declaration was made, challenging anyone to combat with me, but the field was silent as no one stood out. As usual, they knew I would win, so no one wanted to disgrace themselves by coming out.

“I will challenge you, Alpha Edward,” Levi declared as he stood out of the crowd. I glared at him, but I smiled within me; this was a good chance to teach him some lessons.

The drums began to play as he took off his shirt and shoes. But as he made his way toward me, he was stopped by Matthew who stood before him, requesting that he has to be searched to make sure he didn’t have anything with him. Levi glared at Matthew, but Matthew ignored him and began searching Levi, making sure Levi had nothing on him before allowing him to get close to me.

The fight began, and I picked up a spear, and Levi did the same. As the drums intensified their rhythm, I gripped the spear tightly, focusing on Levi, who stood before me, determined to prove himself, Which I knew was a silly act from him because there was no way I would let him win. With each step he took, I could feel the anticipation in the air, the crowd holding their breath as the clash between us seemed imminent.

Levi lunged forward, his movements swift and calculated, but I anticipated his every move, dodging his strikes with ease. With a swift maneuver, I disarmed him, sending his spear clattering to the ground.

The crowd erupted into cheers, but I remained focused, knowing that Levi was a smart fighter. Closing in on Levi, I seized the opportunity to demonstrate my skills. With a powerful thrust, I knocked him off balance, sending him sprawling to the ground. I didn’t rush to attack him like I would have done; I didn’t want the fight to end so soon.

Levi spat on the ground, stood on his feet, and glared at me. I noticed he didn’t go for his spear, which meant he wanted us to fight with our bare hands, which was another mistake from him; I wasn’t named the Alpha of Strength for nothing.

With a confident smirk, I accepted his challenge to fight bare-handed. Levi rushed to make an attack, but I dodged it and hit him a blow on his back. He groaned and tried to return my blow, but I was swift to move away and landed another blow on his stomach.

The crowd cheered at my moves. Levi’s attempts to match my skill were futile, his attacks easily dodged and countered. With each blow I landed, the crowd’s cheers grew louder.

There were so many things I could have done to him, but I stopped myself from doing them because of my aunt.

Getting fed up with the fight, I decided to wrap it up. So I allowed him to get close to me, and just when he was about to send a blow, I skillfully dodged and pushed him to the ground. Swiftly, I climbed on him, and I wrapped my hands around his neck. As Levi struggled beneath me, I tightened my grip, wishing I could strangle him to death for what he did years ago, but I held back my rage. The crowd fell silent, watching the intense struggle between us. Levi’s eyes widened with panic, realizing he was at my mercy. He was a fool to think he could actually win me in a fight.

“Submit,” I growled, my voice low and commanding. For a moment, Levi hesitated, his pride warring with the reality of his defeat. But then, with a defeated nod, he acknowledged his defeat. Releasing my hold, I stood up and glared at him.

“You were lucky this time, but next time you won’t,” I said in a tone only he could hear. The crowd erupted into cheers once again, celebrating my victory. I glanced over at Amanda, who held my gaze, but unlike the crowd, she didn’t seem excited or interested in my victory.