Amanda's POVIt 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 awkwa
Alpha Edward’s POVPain was what I felt hearing those hurtful words from her. I wanted to scream, yell, or do something to her, but I found myself numb, unable to believe what I had just heard. I wanted to urge her to tell me that all she was saying was a lie, maybe she just wanted me to get angry, but the look on her face showed that she wasn’t joking about it. Unable to withstand her presence, I sent her away, and she dashed out of my room.Slowly, I slumped on my bed while her words buzzed in my head. I could vividly hear her words in my head, the way she said it when she declared her love for him, the way she talked about how he treated her. Everything was sending me insane. With a grunt, I ran a hand through my hair. I couldn’t explain why I was feeling so restless because of her confession. I mean, this was a lady I should hate. I was supposed to torment her and inflict pain on her, but I don’t get why I have softened this much. Why was her confession having this effect on me? W
Amanda’s POVWhile changing into a new uniform, I noticed the head maid's eyes on me. She stood at the door, staring at me with a questioning look. After I was done dressing, I turned to face her. “I had no idea he doesn't like sugar in his coffee,” I defended myself, but she didn’t say a word; instead, she just left.Inhaling deeply, I stared at the mirror and realized I had red marks on my face and arms from the hot coffee poured on me. I knew Alpha Edward overreacted; in fact, he would have just asked me to change it and get another one, but since he wanted to punish me, he decided to pour the hot coffee on me. I sighed in discomfort at the ache I was feeling in my body. The head maid had already given me an ointment I used to apply on my body, but I could still feel a little discomfort.Leaving the maids quarter, I returned to the mansion and arrived at the laundry room, where I was assigned to do the laundry. Two other maids were there, and I could feel their constant gazes on me
Alpha Edward's POVMy entire being went numb at Matthew's declaration. My mind raced, my heart pounding in my chest. The words echoed in my ears, reverberating through my thoughts like a thunderclap. Amanda, my slave, the one who had killed my mate and I have brutally tortured, was Matthew's mate? That can't be true!“You are lying, Matthew; she is not your mate; she can't be your mate!” I spoke with disbelief. There was no way he would trick me into believing such lies.“Yes, she is my mate,” Matthew declared, his gaze not wavering from mine. “I knew she was my mate the very first day I saw her, but I couldn’t say it, I couldn’t accept it. How can I tell everyone that my mate is a murderer? How can I look you in the face and tell you that the lady who killed your mate and brought you so much pain was my mate? I was too ashamed and heartbroken to say it to anyone, so I decided to keep it to myself and reject our bond. I even wanted you to kill her, so that was why, at first, I was urg
Amanda's POVI followed Beta Matthew into his room, and when we entered, he locked the door. He stood by the window while I positioned myself beside the door.“Have a seat,” he gestured, and I sat on one of the couches.An awkward silence filled the air as I waited for him to speak, to explain why he lied to Alpha Edward. After several minutes of silence, realizing he wouldn't initiate the conversation, I decided to break it.“Why did you lie?” I asked.He raised a brow and glanced at me before sighing and moving away from the window. Sitting on the couch across from me, he locked gazes with me.“You were the first to lie,” he remarked.I gulped nervously and tucked my hair behind my ears.“It's okay. I understand why you lied. Maybe it was to spite him, and I'm not angry at you. You did a good job,” he said with a smile. I furrowed my brow, confused by his words.“Listen, I had to lie about us being mates. It's the only way I can set you free from Alpha Edward torture, and it's the o
Alpha Edward’s POVKicking everything in my way, I grunted and ran a hand through my hair. What Matthew had told me kept replaying in my head, making me feel insane as I struggled to accept it. How could it be? How could she turn out to be his mate? A surge of jealousy, anger, and possessiveness washed over me. I couldn’t explain the emotions bubbling inside of me. I thought of Matthew and wondered how much he must have endured. He must have gone through a lot until now he decided to speak. And he also made mention of loving her? Of course, he was supposed to love her; she was his mate!A frustrated groan left my lips as I ran a hand through my already scattered hair. I felt panicked, restless, and bothered. If Amanda was indeed Matthew's mate, then I have done a horrible thing to my best friend. But come to think of it, it wasn’t my fault. I never knew they were mates, and he never mentioned it. And come to think of it, Amanda was my wife; we are married, and…“Shit!” I had totally
Alpha Edward's POVOf course, I knew she wasn’t going to refuse me. Obediently, I watched her slowly take off her clothes, including her underwear, and stand naked before me. Gazing lustfully at her nude body, I gulped and sipped my drink. As instructed, she went over to the bed and lay on it like a motionless woman.The sight of it made me uncomfortable. I wanted her to be obedient but not motionless. So, I dropped the glass of wine in my hand and took a deep breath.“Amanda,” I called, “come over here.”At first, she was confused, but she obeyed and left the bed. She walked over to where I sat and stood before me, her eyes void of emotion.I gazed at her body, and unexpectedly, I pulled her to myself and made her sit on my lap while I positioned her legs on each side. Our gazes met, and I felt compelled to look into her eyes. There was something about those eyes of hers that kept me locked in.As we exchanged glances, my eyes went to her lips, and out of impulse, I slammed my lips a
Amanda's POVI held his gaze, confused by what he had just said. “Excuse me?”“You heard me right, dear wife; your place is right here with me,” he stated firmly, with no hint of humor in his voice.“I'm not your wife,” I shook my head and tried to release myself from his grip, but he tightened his arm around my waist and scoffed. “Really? It seems you have forgotten our marriage vows; well, you might have forgotten, but I haven't. We are married, and you and Matthew will have to accept that,” he said, sounding serious, which made me frown and look at him with disbelief; he was acting strangely.“Now tell me, where is your ring?” he questioned as he took hold of my hand and checked my finger. “Where did you keep it?” He sounded displeased not to see it on my finger.“Where is it?” he asked again, and I furrowed my brow, staring at him with confusion and questioning gaze. I couldn’t believe he would ask about the ring after all this time.“Where did you keep it?” he demanded, and I fro