The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 171

Alexander’s POV…

At Ramona’s announcement, I wasn’t too certain about how I was supposed to react to that. It took her time to catch the look on my face as she mouthed a hurried sorry and walked back out. Every one of the men tried looking at every other place to distract themselves from glancing at me.

I hate how it seems like they are all working on eggshells around me. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to look the way I did, but it was unintentional. Seems like my mind worked on its own.

When Caleb decided to break the silence in the room, I couldn’t be more grateful. “Let’s continue with the talks, please.”

Carlos gulped hard before talking again. You would think he lost track of what he was to do. To my annoyance, he kept searching around for nothing in particular.

“What the hell, man!” Jason whispered at him.

I turned away, the food I had eaten turned sour in my mouth. I wouldn’t blame Carlos for looking so confused; we went from zero to a thousand a bit too quick.

Clearing his throat, Carlos finally got a grip on himself. “If you give the order right now, my men will go down to the tunnel and clear whatever clog we might possibly experience within thirty-six hours. The rest of us can work on ensuring our weapons are in place.”

“Where does the end of the tunnel lead to?” Inquired Caleb.

I was really not interested anymore. My mind worked in the form of a spiral, preventing me from hearing a thing aside from the thoughts running through my head.

Jason answered this time, “now that is where it gets really interesting. Right here….” He pointed at the map. “It had four exit points, one of which leads directly into the packhouse where the pack council members of the sizzlers pack hold their most secret meetings. They had given this information away at that time due to their desperate need for help.”

“How sure are we that these structures are still in place? It’s been a long while, you know.” I finally said, my throat clogged at it, though.

“Alpha bethel isn’t exactly a creative mind. He doesn’t like doing much, from what I have learnt he only had them redesigned, new paintings and furniture. It’s all still the same.” Carlos found it funny as he let out a cackle.

“Then we might have to use this opportunity granted to us on a platter of gold. But, if you know about this, don’t you think Ben would know that too?” Caleb added.

Jason shook his head, “the gamma clan, especially the watchers like myself, are the only ones who are aware of this, and it’s passed on to each generation.”

“How did I not know about this?” It came as an utmost surprise to me.

Bowing his head, Jason mused. “I am sorry, alpha, but it’s just as your grandfather has made my clan promise him. No offence, alpha, but if you had known, Ben would have taken his chance at it because you would definitely have told him about it. Our last resort right now would have been flopped.”

I thought for a while, letting his truth sink in. Jason was right. Ben took advantage of being the beta and used all the depth he knew about the night howlers to infiltrate the pack under my very nose. I want to believe it’s not my fault and probably out of my control.

“I am sorry, alpha,” Jason repeated, his face contorting in worry.

I laughed. He must have been worried that I got angry. “Really, Jason! I am in no way angry, please. I was just thinking of how right you are. Thanks for holding onto it till this crucial time.” I glanced around at each of them. “Thank you all so much for your hard work. It means a whole lot!”

“We are here to serve you and the night howlers pack, Alpha Xander!” Carlos said, smiling at me.

“You can order your men, Carlos. Let’s work start immediately.” I ordered.

Carlos and Jason bowed their heads. “Thanks, Alpha. We will take our leave now.”

They nodded their heads towards Caleb before leaving. Caleb sat, staring at me like he would bore a hole through my skin.

“Don’t say a word,” I warned him.

Sitting upright with a raised eyebrow, he gave me a stern look. “Are you going to sit here and not act appropriately?” Caleb bellowed.

I frowned, “what nonsense are you talking about?”

He let out a loud breath, “I know how hard this must be for you, Xander. Just say something. You don’t necessarily have to show up. You can ask me to go on your behalf, but you can ignore this situation.”

I gulped hard, not knowing what to say. My every thought was jumbled. Me hearing about Sonia birthing the child she had conceived through her betrayal. A child who is the seed of the two people I had trusted with my whole heart, and both took turns stabbing me in the back. Whichever way I was meant to act, I really don’t know. As much as I was healing from it all, it still seemed surreal, and I couldn’t imagine how Edwina would be feeling.

“How do you think Edwina is at this moment?” I directed my question at Caleb.

“She is more forgiving than you are.” He snorted in response.

I laughed, “really?”

“Yes.” Caleb grinned. “You can do this, Xander. You are bigger than all of this. We would go there, congratulate her and let her know you have gone past all of those things. And you have a new life now. What do you think?”

I bowed my head, letting Caleb’s advice sink in. I searched my heart again to affirm the exact feeling I was getting. It wasn’t that of anger or hate; I just still felt uncomfortable being around her, almost like I was still being forced to forgive someone when I didn’t want to.

But at the same time, letting grudges go brings utmost peace of mind. It’s one thing I really respect Edwina for. That woman has too much of a large heart to be treated the way she got treated. It’s a promise I am making to myself to be a better person for her sake.

I guess it’s time to really face Sonia and let all the grudges go, especially now that I would be going after Ben in less than a week.

Exhaling, I stared at my good friend. “let’s go home and welcome the new cub, Caleb.”

He grinned proudly at me. I have never felt so good about myself.