The Mate He Hates

Alpha Edward’s POV

We fell into silence once more, the tension between us consuming but overshadowed by our shared concern for our son. Hours passed, each minute dragging on interminably. The doctors returned periodically, checking on Liam and updating us on his condition.

I thought Amanda would close her eyes for even a second, but she never did. She was wide awake, just as I was.

Finally, as the first light of dawn filtered through the window, Liam stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked around groggily.

“Liam?” I whispered, my heart leaping with hope.

“Father?” he croaked, his voice weak.

I leaned in, tears glittering in my eyes. “I’m here, baby. I’m right here.”

Amanda moved closer, her expression one of intense relief. “Hey, Liam,” she said softly. “You gave us quite a scare.”

Liam’s eyes flickered to Amanda, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Mama,” he murmured, reaching out weakly.

Amanda took his hand, her own eyes brimming with tears. “I’m here too, Liam. We’re both here.”

Liam smiled weakly and then turned to me. “I had a dream about you, Father,” he said, sounding so worried.

“Really? Tell me about it.”

Liam swallowed hard. “I saw you… lying in a pool of blood, Father. I ran to you and begged you to wake up, but you were numb.” His voice broke with emotion. “Father, I’m scared.”

“You don’t have to be.” I flashed him an assuring smile. “It’s just a dream, buddy, just a dream.”

Liam shook his head. “No, Father, it seemed so real. You have to be careful.” Liam pleaded, his eyes filled with concern and worry for me. “Promise me that you will be careful.” He pleaded desperately, and my heart fluttered. It was overwhelming to know Liam genuinely cared for me.

“I will, buddy, I will.” I promised.

Just then, the doctors came in and examined Liam before injecting him. Within seconds, he fell asleep. The doctor examined him again before turning to us.

“Alpha, he is now stable and will be asleep for at least five hours. You two should please go rest; the nurse will watch over him.”

I looked at Amanda, who nodded and got to her feet. “Please look after him and call us if anything happens,” she pleaded to the nurse, who nodded.

I watched her glance at Liam for another moment before she turned and looked at me, frowning. “You should also get some rest as well,” she said before walking out of the door.

I glanced at Liam for another moment, making sure he was okay, before I wheeled myself out of his room. Upon getting out of his room, I met Amanda leaning against the wall, obviously waiting for me.

“We need to talk,” she said, folding her arms.

“What is it?” I asked, hoping it had nothing to do with the rejection. I still didn’t want to let her go.

“About Liam’s dream, you have to take it seriously. Liam’s dreams have come to pass on different occasions,” she grumbled while I furrowed my brow and looked at her. “Are you worried about me?” I asked because it seemed she was.

“Hell no,” Amanda scoffed. “I care about Liam and how this will affect him so badly if anything happens to you,” she sneered, but somehow it felt she was lying, or perhaps I was just imagining things.

“Be careful, if not for yourself, at least for Liam.” With those words, she turned and began walking away while I just kept staring at her until she was out of sight.

Inhaling deeply, I took the elevator to my room. Reaching my room, two guards were positioned at the door, personal guards that will have to be with me 24/7 to attend to my needs. Seeing them made me realize how much I had reduced to a helpless man, who is at the mercy of others.

Swallowing in pain, I got into my room and moved over to the window where I stood and inhaled the fresh morning air. My mind was occupied with different thoughts as I wondered how I was going to rule my people from a crippled chair. Most members of the pack don’t know I’m in a wheelchair yet, and I feared what their reaction would be when they found out, not just them but the neighboring pack who might want to use my helplessness as an advantage and wage war.

Still pondering in thoughts, I noticed the door to my room open, and when I moved my attention to the door, I realized it was Levi. Just the mere sight of him deepened my frown.

“What do you want?” I asked, wheeling over to him.

A smirk appeared on his face as he mockingly glanced at me as I wheeled up to him. “You are really fast on this chair. It seems you are already getting used to it, what a fast learner.” He mocked, and I could feel my anger rising.

“What do you want, Levi? Say it and get out before I call the guards on you!” I yelled in an outburst, but he only smirked and lowered himself to my height.

“I heard you and Amanda almost rejected each other.”

“That is none of your business,” I spat, and he smiled.

“You think so? From what I discovered, you were pained and scared of losing her to me, so you decided to reject her instead so what happened nine years ago wouldn’t repeat itself!” He smirked, causing my anger to flare up.

“Amanda is different from Veronica, you can never have her!” I declared possessively, and I heard Levi let out a loud chuckle, his eyes filled with mockery.

“You think so? Is that what you think? That Amanda is different? Are you so sure about it?” Levi challenged, and a sudden fear enveloped me, but I masked it up and put on a straight face.

“Yes, Amanda is different from Veronica and other girls you have been able to lure into your bed, Levi. You can’t have her, now get out,” I said dismissively, and Levi’s smirk widened.

I watched him stand upright before he took a step away from me. “Two weeks, Edward, give me two weeks, and you will see Amanda hovering around me. But not just that, I will fuck her under this roof, and you will hear her moan out my name.”

“Get out!” I yelled and tried getting to him.

But As I struggled to get up, it was useless, my feet couldn’t carry my weight. The two guards rushed into the room and glared at Levi.

“Take him out,” I yelled, my blood boiling with anger.

“Don’t worry, I’m leaving already. Two weeks, cousin, two weeks.” He smirked before leaving the room.

“Damn it!” I yelled, my whole body vibrating with rage and helplessness.

“Alpha…”

“Get out!” I yelled at the guards who bowed and dashed out of the room.