The Mate He Hates

Amanda’s POV

“You are never going to tell anyone the truth,” Aunt Ana warned, but I shook my head stubbornly. “No, Aunt, I won’t keep quiet. I was the one who helped Alpha Edward, and I am also his mate. My wolf confirmed it to me,” I said amidst tears, and she chuckled.

“What wolf? If you two were mates, why did Alpha Edward not recognize you? Why did he recognize Elisa instead?” She asked, and I swallowed painfully. Everything that was happening seemed like a dream I couldn’t explain.

“Now listen carefully, and listen well. You are never going to tell anyone that it was you who saved Alpha Edward, and neither will you mention being his mate. If you do, I won’t hesitate to kill you and your mother. I believe you know my black magic could do that, so don’t tempt me,” she threatened, and a tear dropped on my cheek.

I knew she meant every word she had said, but how could I keep quiet and watch so many things go wrong? “Tomorrow, you will act like a happy sister for Elisa’s wedding. If you think of doing anything stupid, be sure that you will pay for it,” with those words, she turned to leave my room, but I stopped her, and she looked my way.

“My wolf… what about my wolf…” I asked. I was sure she knew what happened to my wolf; my wolf couldn’t disappear just like that.

A smirk appeared on the left corner of her cheek. “If you behave like a good girl tomorrow, I can see what I can do.” She opened the door and left.

Tears streamed down my cheek as I slumped to the floor and rested my back on the wall. I couldn’t believe what was happening; I couldn’t believe all this was happening to me, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

I thought of telling someone, but I was scared. People might not know, but I knew Aunt Ana was a powerful witch, and she could do what she had threatened to do. My thoughts went to my mother, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her being dead, and then what about me? Aunt Ana was sure to kill me if I spoke a word.

I was helpless, and I knew the only way was to let her have her way. I could get my wolf and move away from here and this town; I would build my life and see what destiny has installed for me. With that conclusion, I went to my bed and lay on it.

Throughout the night, I cried my eyes out until it was morning.

I woke up the next morning, bathed, and went downstairs. Reaching the sitting room, I was shocked to see people busy with different tasks. Some were decorating the living room for the wedding; some were bringing in things that would be used in preparing meals. Everyone was so busy that I wondered if Aunt Ana had told them about the marriage long ago or if it was just yesterday.

Moving my eyes around, I spotted Father instructing a man on what to do. Sucking a deep breath, I walked over to him, and when he saw me, he frowned. I wondered why my father would detest me this much.

“Alpha Edward and his people will be here soon, so everything has to be done quickly. Now go,” Father said, and the man nodded and walked away. “I thought you would be in your room all day,” he said, and his words broke my heart, but I brushed it aside; I was already used to his hurtful words.

“Can we talk, father…” I thought of telling him the truth; maybe he could help me at least in getting back my wolf, as that was the most important thing to me.

“No, as you can see, I’m busy, and you should be busy too. It’s your sister’s wedding; stop acting jealous and fix yourself on a task,” he muttered and walked away from me. Tears clouded my eyes, but I drew them back and sucked a deep breath; I have cried a lot, and now is not the right time to cry.

I spotted Aunt Ana talking to a few women who I recognized as her friends. They all seemed busy, like time was against them. When Aunt Ana saw me, she left the women and walked over to where I stood.

“I believe you remembered all I said to you,” she reminded me of her threat. “Keep quiet, and I will help you get your wolf back. But if you do something stupid, then remember the consequences,” she flashed a fake smile before walking out on me.

Her threats hung in the air as I watched her walk away. A part of me wished I could scream, yell at her, and ask her to go to hell, but I was helpless. There was nothing I could do.

Feeling unwanted and outcast, I ran to my room, got in, and shut the door. Burying my head in my pillow, I began to sob. My breathing was laborious, and it was as if I were about to die; life became frustrating to me, and all I wanted to do was just die.

For hours, I wallowed in pain until I got tired of crying and sat back on the bed. I thought of Elisa and wondered how she could do such a thing to me; I was her sister, and it was shocking how she could make me go through such pain.

“I should go talk to her,” I said to myself and got out of bed. I knew talking to her would be useless, but I just wanted to give it a try. So I left my room and went to the next door, Elisa’s room. Sucking a deep breath, I knocked on the door but couldn’t get a response.

“Elisa…” I called out, but there was no response. “Or has the wedding begun already…” I said to myself and pushed the door open to confirm that she wasn’t inside the room. Stepping into the room, I realized no one was in the room, but then my eyes fell on something that seized my breath. Lying in a pool of her blood was my step-sister, Elisa.