The Mate He Hates

Taking my place

Amanda’s POV

I have been grounded for the past two weeks; neither did I go to school nor leave home. My stepmother has imprinted so many lies about me on my father's mind, and he didn’t bother to ask me or hear from me, but rather, he agreed with my stepmother's decision to keep me grounded.

Sighing frustratedly, I sat on my bed, and my thoughts drifted to the stranger I had saved in the woods. It's been two weeks, and never a day has passed without me thinking about him. It goes as far as seeing him in my dreams. I have countless dreams of him, and when I wake up, I begin wondering why I think of him so much.

Never a day goes by without me worrying about him. I was worried if he was okay, worried if he was being taken care of, and sometimes concerned if he had tried to attempt another suicide. I was so confused at how I agonized over a stranger who didn't even know I existed.

Feeling thirsty, I left my room and went to the living room to get a water bottle from the fridge. On my way to the kitchen, a knock landed on the door, and I shifted my attention to it.

“Amanda, get the door,” Aunt Ana, my stepmother, shouted from the kitchen.

Feeling reluctant, I went for the door, held the doorknob, and pulled it open. My breath seized in my chest at what stood before me.

Standing before me was him! The young man I saved in the woods, the one who had occupied my mind and thoughts for the past two weeks, the one I couldn’t stop thinking and worrying about.

Our gazes met, and I swallowed hard. He stood tall, dressed in a simple wear of black jeans and a black T-shirt. His black hair was gelled backward, while his green eyes were captivating.

“Is she the one?” He asked, despite being a young man; his voice carried authority.

“No, my lord,” the man beside him responded, and I immediately recognized him. I recognized him as one of the men who took him that day in the woods.

“Are you sure we are in the right place?” The green-eyed man asked, his piercing gaze not leaving mine.

“How long does it take you to answer the door?” I heard Aunt Ana's voice behind me. “Who is there?” She said as she pushed me aside and stood before the visitor.

I noticed my stepmother was silent for a moment, and immediately she bowed. “It's an honor to have you, Alpha Edward, in my home.” Her words confused me, and I had to look at the young man, whose blank expression hadn’t left his face.

He looked at me one more time and then looked away.

“A young damsel saved me two weeks ago, and I was told she lives here. She goes by the name Elisa.” He spoke, and my eyes widened. That was me, not Elisa.

“Wow, Elisa is my daughter; please come in.” Aunt Ana stepped aside for them to walk in.

The young man was the first to step in, followed by two men I recognized.

Aunt Ana led them to the sitting room and offered them seats, which they took.

Confused, I stood there and watched them.

“Don’t just stand there; get refreshments for our guest,” Aunt Ana ordered, but the young man shook his head. “That will not be needed; I need to see your daughter. Where is she?” The young man asked.

“She is in her room…”

Aunt Ana turned to me, “Go call Elisa.” She instructed, while I just remained numb, not attempting to make a move. I didn’t see the need to call Elisa when I was the one who saved him, and Aunt Ana was fully aware of that.

“Don’t just stand there; go call your sister,” Aunt Ana urged. I frowned and looked at Aunt Ana, who glared back at me.

“You want to exhibit your stubborn character to the guests; bravo.” Aunt Ana sneered at me before looking away.

“Elisa darling, please come downstairs,” Aunt Ana called out to Elisa.

Moving my gaze back to the young man, our gaze met, but he just looked away. There was something different about him. Back in the woods, he seemed like an innocent, broken young man, but right now, he seemed like an entirely different person.

“Yes, Mother,” Elisa responded while descending the stairs, and immediately, the young man got up and began making his way toward Elisa.

I could see the stunned look on Elisa's face; I believe she must have recognized him.

“You are Elisa.” He asked, and Elisa nodded.

The young man turned to his men. “Is she the one?” he asked, and the two nodded. “Yes, Alpha, she is the one who saved you.”

My eyes widened, and I looked at Aunt Ana, who gave me a threatening look and placed a finger on her lips, signaling me to keep quiet.

“Do you remember me?” His voice sounded tender.

“Yes, you were the man in the woods,” Elisa responded shyly.

“You saved me,” the young man said to Elisa, and I thought Elisa would decline and say it was me, but surprisingly, she didn’t; instead, she smiled and nodded.

“No,” I whispered in disbelief.

“I am Alpha Edward Parker,” he introduced himself.

“I’m Elisa.” Elisa bowed with respect.

Stunned and confused, I looked at Aunt Ana, who gave me a threatening look, and I gulped.

“Let's have a seat,” he led Elisa to sit beside him while I stood there like an outcast. In fact, I became invisible. My heart clenched, and I wished to speak; I wanted to scream that I was the one who saved him. It was me and not Elisa, but somehow, I realized my mouth was sealed.

“I am here to make a proposal,” Alpha Edward spoke, which got my attention.

“I am just twenty-one and was made the alpha after the death of my father…” he announced, and Mother nodded. She seemed so excited.

“I will be leaving for China for my training, which might take four to five years, so I won’t be around…” he paused and looked at Elisa, who smiled shyly at him.

He looked at Elisa briefly and then at me, but he quickly looked away and then back to Aunt Ana.

“I want to swear my betrothal to your daughter, Elisa. I wish to get married to her and make her my Luna when I'm done with my training,” he announced, and Mother jumped up on her feet with excitement.

“Really?” Mother asked, not able to control her excitement.

“I am not a man of many words; I have thought of this before coming here. If not for the help of Elisa, then I wouldn’t be alive, and besides, my seer had told me that the young lady who saved me is destined to be my second chance mate in the future,” he revealed, and my eyes widened.

I wanted to open my mouth to say something, but fear and panic couldn’t let me. I just remained numb where I stood.

He turned to Elisa, who was smiling widely. “Do you agree to wait for me?” he asked. Without thinking, Elisa nodded, saying, “Yes, I will wait for you,” with a shy smile, looking away.

The air in the room was charged with excitement, but my heart sank as I realized the depth of the misunderstanding. Everything in me was compelling me to speak, to say the truth, but I just couldn’t; I was so scared.

“Go check what I was cooking,” Aunt Ana ordered, and I gulped. “Now!” she commanded, and my feet moved. Slowly and with heavy steps, I made my way to the kitchen. When I reached the kitchen door, I turned and looked at them, but none of them were looking my way. Edward was glancing at Elisa while Mother was smiling at them. He looked at Elisa with so much love and admiration in his eyes; it felt like Elisa was the most precious thing on earth to him.

Tears gathered in my eyes, and I quickly walked into the kitchen, letting the tears fall on my cheek. I couldn't tell why I was crying or why my heart was aching so badly. It felt like my world was crumbling right before me. More tears fell freely on my cheek, and I didn't bother to wipe them away.

I continued crying until I heard the sound of a car, and I had to peep through the window and realize they were leaving.

My breath seized in my chest, and I ran out of the kitchen to the living room. I needed to speak to him; I had to tell him the truth. Reaching the living room, I met Aunt Ana, who glared at me. “We have to talk,” she demanded.

I positioned myself in front of Aunt, meeting her stern gaze. “Henceforth, Elisa is the one who saved Alpha Edward’s life. You're never to disclose the truth to anyone. Understand?” she insisted, her threat lingering in the air as confusion and shock gripped me.

“But, Aunt, why…”

“Silence!” She interrupted sharply, and I nervously swallowed. “If you breathe a word to anyone, I won't only kill you, but your father will cease paying your mother’s hospital bills. And you know what that means.” She threatened.