Not His Type Of Mate
Chapter 23

Alpha Leo's POV

"Are you hurt?" I asked Mother in a worried tone as I scanned her body. "I'm fine. It's not me you should be worried about." She grumbled, her eyes fixed on the stairs. "She will be fine," I assured Mother with a groan. Madison was not just an ordinary healer; he was the best. "You should go and check on her," my wolf pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears. "Maybe if she dies, I will be given a second chance mate," I grumbled within me while my wolf howled angrily at my words.

I heard footsteps coming from the stairs and moved my gaze towards them. Madison walked down the stairs with an expressionless look, making it difficult for me to detect his mood.

"How is she?" Mother asked as she made her way to him. "She is fine," he responded and got a quick hug from Mother before she hurriedly took the stairs. I watched him sit on the couch with a heavy sigh and go into deep thought for quite a while before speaking. "I have already made a call. I'm tracing the buyer of the bullet," he said and got a nod from me. We both remained silent until I noticed his questioning gaze on me. "What do you want to ask?" I asked and saw a suspicious look on his face before he asked, "Why do you hate her so much?" he questioned while I furrowed my eyebrows, acting confused. "You know who I'm talking about. Your hatred for her could be seen in your eyes." He questioned while I scoffed and shook my head. We both remained silent before I responded, "I don't know what you are talking about, and I believe you have better things to pay attention to." With those words, I stood to my feet and walked away.

I knew how I reacted was terrible, but I knew I had to do it to avoid being interrogated by Madison. Madison was going through a lot, and I was glad he decided to spend his mourning days here with us. As his best friend and cousin, I was supposed to comfort him, but my problems took the best of me. With a heavy sigh, I returned to the sitting room and saw him resting his head on the couch's headrest while his eyes were closed. Without being told, I knew he was thinking about his loss. "Hey!" I called, getting his attention. "Let's check out some books at the library," I suggested, and saw him go silent for a moment before nodding.

I sent for Lady Emma to open the library for us, which she did, and we both went in. Madison and I went over to the shelf of books, picked up the books of our choice, and sat on the couch. I opened the first page and tried reading, but I was interrupted by Mother coming in. "Thank you, Madison." Mom thanked him as she made her way to us, "I thought your abilities wouldn't work on her." She spoke in relief while I groaned and met the gaze of Madison, staring at me with a questioning look. He didn't respond to Mother's words; instead, he kept his watch on me, which was uncomfortable. "She is staying for dinner." Mom announced, while I stared at her with furrowed eyebrows, "No!" I blurted out, "She isn't joining us for dinner. It's a family dinner, and no outsiders are allowed." I spoke firmly while holding my Mother's gaze. She was displeased by the way I reacted. "She is not a stranger." Mother said firmly, "She tried to save me today, not minding that she might've died. Only good friends and family would do that," she said while I released a disapproving groan from my lips. "Don't tell me you are fatphobic," Mother asked while I scoffed and held the gaze of Madison, who had been quiet since Mother came in. By the look on his face, it was obvious he was already getting irritated by my argument with my mother. "What do you think your subjects will say of you if they get to know that you discriminate against plus-size people?" she asked and didn't get a response from me. "I'm having dinner with her, with or without you." With those words, she turned and left. With an angry groan, I ran my fingers through my hair and went into deep thought. I must ensure she leaves the mansion before things get out of hand. "What are you hiding?" Madison questioned, and I could not give him a response. "I know you too well, Léo; you are not fatphobic; there is something wrong, but it's your business." With those words, he stood to his feet and walked away, leaving me alone in the library.

"Damn it!" I groaned and frustratedly ran my fingers through my hair. Things would get complicated if Mother gets too close to her, and she decides to tell Mother about our secret.

I left the library, returned to my room, and indulged myself with my work until a servant informed me that Vera was in the mansion. I left the room and met her downstairs, conversing with Mother. When she noticed my presence, she stood to her feet and flickered a warm smile, which I had no choice but to return. I got to where she stood and placed a peck on her lips, just to give Mother a good impression and no reason to suspect a thing. "We were just talking about you," Mother spoke as I took my seat. "About me? For what?" I asked with raised eyebrows. "We were wondering when you would pick the date for your wedding. I see no need in delaying.