Amanda’s POV
It was already past 1 am, and I was unable to sleep. The painful events of the day flooded my head, tormenting me from drifting to sleep. Realizing that I wouldn’t be able to get any sleep even if I tried, I decided to seek solace and comfort in the garden, knowing it wouldn’t be a big deal to spend the night there. Leaving the servant quarters, I arrived at the garden and was surprised to see Beta Matthew standing there, staring at a flower. As if he felt my presence, he turned, and our gazes interlocked.
“I had no idea you would be here; I will take my leave,” I said, turning to leave.
“Wait,” he stopped me, compelling me to turn around. “You don’t have to leave. I wanted to speak with you,” he said, piquing my curiosity.
“You wish to speak to me? About what?” I asked, curious.
“Come closer,” he urged.
Obeying his words, I got closer and stood before him. Holding his gaze, I waited for him to speak, but he didn’t. Instead, he just kept staring at me, making me feel awkward. I nervously swallowed and looked away.
“What happened to your wolf?” His unexpected question caught me off guard.
“You’re already eighteen, and you don’t have a wolf. I can’t feel the energy of your wolf, although…” he trailed off.
“What?” I asked, but he only sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, I can’t explain it. It’s just that there is this familiar aura around…” his words trailed off, and then I noticed he was looking at something behind me.
Curious to know what it was, I turned and was dumbfounded to see Alpha Edward glaring at us with anger in his burning eyes. Cold chills passed down my spine, and I had to move away from Beta Matthew. “What is going on here?” Alpha Edward growled, his anger making me uneasy.
“Calm down, Edward…”
“Alpha Edward,” he growled, “I’m Alpha Edward, your alpha. Don’t forget that!” He yelled at Matthew, who took a deep breath.
“Calm down, Alpha Edward…”
“Don’t tell me to calm down!” He shouted, gritting his teeth. “Explain to me why the both of you are in the garden at such an hour. What else could you two be doing if not having a romantic time?” He clenched his jaws.
Moving his gaze to me, I nervously looked away. I knew we weren’t doing anything wrong, and I just felt scared or nervous, but his angry stare was killing me. “Is this where he fucks you?” Alpha Edward asked, and I lifted my gaze to meet his. “Tell me!” He snapped, causing me to flinch with fear. “Calm down, it’s not what you think. Why don’t we go in and talk?” Beta Matthew pleaded, but Alpha Edward gritted his teeth and turned his gaze back to him. “I need no explanation from you, Matthew. I will come for you when the time is right,” he declared those words as a promise and looked my way.
Unexpectedly, Alpha Edward grabbed my hand, and I tried to free myself from his grip. “Alpha Edward, calm down and let me explain,” Beta Matthew said, but Alpha Edward ignored him and pulled me along as he walked away. With panic, I turned to Beta Matthew and could see the concern and helplessness in him, but he knew he couldn’t challenge his alpha.
Gripping my wrist forcefully, Alpha Edward dragged me back into the mansion, pulled me up the stairs, and when we got into his room, he slammed the door and pushed me to the ground. Exclaiming in pain, I looked up at him and saw him fuming with rage. “This is what you want, huh?” He gritted his teeth. “Tell me, how many times has he fucks you?” He demanded but got no answer from me. “Answer me!” He sneered and still got no response from me. Flaring up, he gripped me by the arms and lifted me from the floor, his anger-filled eyes glaring into my soul. “Tell me, what is he good at that I’m not? Is it the way he talks to you, huh? Or the way he kisses you, touches you, fucks?” He demanded with anger, his green eyes filled with rage, but then there was something else I noticed, something like a glint of jealousy, but maybe I was seeing wrong.
“Answer me, don’t keep me silent,” he urged, but I remained mute because there was nothing to say.
Realizing he wouldn’t get an answer from me, he groaned and let go of me. With panting breath, I watched him move around his room while running his hand through his hair. He looked so restless and angry that I became curious, wondering if he was acting this way just because he felt Beta Matthew and I were having an affair or if it was the mate bond working. Was the mate bond making him this angry and jealous? There was only one way to find out.
“I love him,” I murmured, drawing Alpha Edward’s attention back to me. “What did you just say?” Alpha Edward asked, not wanting to believe what I had just said. I knew what I was about to do was risky and stupid, but still… “I love Beta Matthew. He might not love me, but I do love him. He treats me like a woman should be treated; he ensures I’m happy whenever I’m with him, and…” I gulped for what I was about to say. “He doesn’t fuck me like you do, but rather we make love like two lovers should,” I lied effortlessly with no regret.
I waited for Alpha Edward to burst out angrily, yell, or even hit me, but he didn’t. Instead, he remained mute as he stared at me blankly. I waited for him to scream, do something, react, or say something, but he continued staring blankly at me, which confused me even more. This was not what I expected from him; he was supposed to hit me, yell angrily at me, brutally fucks me or send the guards to serve me a punishment, but not this.
“Get out!” I furrowed my brow, confused. “Leave!” He ordered, his raged filled voice echoing in the room and out of impulse I found myself stumbling out of his chambers.