The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 179

Alexander’s POV…

The rum burned down my throat as I gripped the bottleneck hard. One interesting thing about my study is having a minibar. You chose to do whatever you feel like in the said study, might study and get drunk.

After ensuring Edwina would have a long night’s rest due to the injection she was induced with, I left the room, ordering Becca to stay with her. Caleb wasn’t back yet, so I decided to have a moment with myself. I locked the study door behind me, getting up from the wheelchair to take a long stretch.

Dipping my hands into my pocket, I stared into the dark night, hoping John wouldn’t have gone far before getting caught. I gulped down the content of the rum bottle. I know it sounds uncultured to drink straight from the bottle, but I don’t feel like indulging in formalities at the moment.

I want to go back to the times things looked pretty fine, but I know that was quite untrue. Nothing was actually fine; I had just paid little attention to it.

Walking towards the table again, my eyes read the content of the paper the theta handed me. Edwina was pregnant, and I didn’t quite understand the mixed feeling raging through me. As much as I would love to be over the moon and happy about the news, It didn’t seem like it, probably because I had heard such news before, and it ended up not being mine.

The theta must have been baffled by my reaction. Not like I really care. None of them would understand my pain like I do myself.

I heard a rapid knock on the door. Knowing who it was, I g*****d inwardly, but just to be sure, I had to ask.

“Who is there?”

“Caleb.”

I g*****d inwardly, not bothering to get back in my wheelchair. I walked to the door and peeped through the hole before opening it. I stood behind the door just in case I needed to slam the door in any other intruder’s face.

Caleb asked me, “why are you hiding behind the door?”

“Cause I am naked!” I hissed, rolling my eyes at him.

He mirrored my expression, walking towards the chair in exhaustion. “Can I have some?” Caleb nodded towards my drink.

I hid it behind me, “not this one. I have no intention to share.”

Shaking his head, “don’t be so selfish.” He hummed, snatching it out of my hand like the thief he was.

Sitting my butt down, I stretched my legs on the table, watching him keenly. I exhaled. “I am really sorry for the manner I spoke to you the other time, man. I didn’t mean to yell at you like that. Was really in my head.”

Caleb waved me off, almost choking on the rum. “It’s okay, man. I was just as disoriented myself. Had no idea what I was doing. Sonia’s death is a big blow. If he isn’t much of an important criminal, putting it out to the public feels more like a shame to us.”

“I am sure Carlos and Jason must have heard about it and probably be on their way.”

“Carlos called me. I told him to wait for it up till tomorrow.”

“Alright.” I leaned further into the chair, uncertain of what to discuss. The matter on hand feels too absurd to discuss.

“What’s on your mind?” Caleb asked, his eyes looking bloodshot

“Are you drunk already?”

He sniffed, “don’t play too smart. Tell me what’s wrong with you.”

Sometimes I really hate how Caleb reads me so much. I should really start thinking of a way to bare my teeth at him. Probably, he would be scared to question me.

“You should know the last thing I would ever indulge in is get scared of you.” He bellowed as if reading my mind.

“Did I say that out loud?”

Nodding his head, took a swing at this drink. “Hmmn, hmmm.”

I shut my eyes tightly, “Edwina is pregnant.”

Announcing that to him resulted in Caleb spluttering half of the rum in his mouth to my face. I could really wring Caleb’s neck right now. This bastard disrespects me too much. “What the hell, man!”

Wiping at his mouth hurriedly, he stared wide-eyed at me. “That’s good news.”

I gulped, looking away as I snorted. “I don’t know if it actually is.”

“Why are you acting so off. I know you feel comfortable with Edwina, and more feelings have grown.” He observed me with keen eyes, “you are doubtful?”

I sighed, dropping my legs off the table. “How about a DNA?”

“Xander!” The look on his face seemed like I had just made a blasphemous statement.

“What!” I retorted, unrelenting.

“It’s been almost long months since you both have been together. Why would you think that?”

“I had been with Sonia for years, and she still did what she did,” I argued.

“Sonia isn’t the same as Edwina.”

“But….”

“No f*****g buts, she is different, and she is carrying your baby. You both were betrayed. Do you think she would want to be the person that does the same thing as the one who hurt her?”

Though I hate to admit it, I thought deeply about Caleb’s observation. He was right, Edwina had been nothing short of a comfort to me, and I feel happy. The only uncertainty is her feelings for me.

I sighed, “I’m going to be a father.” A grin found its way to me.

“You already are a father to Star.”

My heart stood heavy as I got reminded of the unfortunate happening of the day. My mind went out to her. I wondered if she knew of the tragedy that had befallen her mother.

“I should go check on her before retiring for the night. My head aches badly.” I whined

“Don’t get fooled, man. Edwina is a blessing bestowed upon you by the goddess. Don’t let your doubts get the better part of you.”

“You are definitely drunk!” I mused, knowing Caleb doesn’t talk philosophy. All he does is scrunch his face like something got stuck in his butt. Probably his association with Becca is beginning to tell on him.

“I hope this day rolls over and we get the culprit. Edwina might have your head tomorrow when she wakes up.”

The mention of Edwina made me super scared the more, snatching the bottle back from Caleb. I chugged down the content. I am so f****d.