The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 188

Authors POV…

The car moved further into the deepest part of the night howlers’ pack. The road led to the expanse of unused land serving more as a large boundary between the night howlers and sizzlers pack. Caleb pressed on the car wheel, navigating the road like he had a GPS turning in his head. The car was extremely silent, which was unlike the both of them. Knowing how chatty Xander can be, it amused Caleb how quiet he had become since they left the office.

Not wanting to intrude in his thoughts, he kept his mind on the road, keeping his wolf eyes on alert just in case the sizzlers might be lying in wait. The night howlers hardly make use of the road, and it’s toured mainly by people making a silent escape out of the pack, which is very unlikely unless they are wanted criminals like John Sinclair.

The road to an ordinary eye is only one way to the border gate separating the night howlers and the sizzlers pack. But the ones who are very familiar with the road know that just down the slope is a big wide open hole that leads to a tunnel. It would serve as a tool to save the lives of many before morning.

Xander had a weird look on his face; it seemed like he was in a not-so-appealing argument within himself. He watched Caleb absentmindedly driving closer to their intended destination. This was the first time since his accident years back that he had gone on what seemed like a war scenario.

Finding himself in a wheelchair to lead a pack of wolf warriors when he wouldn’t be standing made Xander perplexed. Xander’s thoughts switched from whether he could expose himself and trust them to keep it until Xander himself felt right about coming out with the truth. At the same time, staying put and pretending to lack legs sounded really good.

It had never been heard in the history of werewolves’ pack fights that a handicapped alpha was in their midst. Xander knew he could slow them down if care wasn’t taken. And the last thing he wanted was to ruin their hard work.

The car tumbled a bit as Caleb drove over a bump. His eyes caught sight of Xander from the side mirror.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, making eye contact with him.

Blinking slowly, Xander looked out the car window as the dark spread into the night.

“Are you worried about what might happen?” Caleb pressed on.

Letting out a tired sigh, Xander turned his head back to meet Caleb’s stare. “do you think I need to forfeit this wheelchair and come out clean?”

Caleb stayed quiet for a while, keeping his eyes on the road. He wasn’t one to decide what others are meant to do and how they are to act. Caleb respects the decision of others even though they might appear confusing. And he wasn’t ready to impose on Xander’s decision either.

“The only reason I haven’t tried to figure out why you have kept to the wheelchair despite being well is because I trust your judgement. And if it doesn’t sit right with you to let anyone know yet, then it’s all good. You don’t owe us any explanation, not when it’s inconvenient to you. You are a good leader Xander, and we will follow you whether you are handicapped or not. The pack is your top priority, and we, as followers, are fine with that. That’s enough. A leader by heart and in your actions, not really bothered about how you look on the outside. We are strong together, and we shall conquer this together.” Caleb finished, almost running out of breath.

Xander let out an amused snort as he clapped his hands together, his mood lifting. “If anyone told me you were such a good curator, I would have argued.”

“My bad!” Caleb muttered under his breath, his voice lacing with sarcasm.

Laughing out, Xander held his belly. “Thanks, man, for real. Thank you, you just lifted my mood, and I think I am ready for this.” He said, focusing his attention on the tiny road Caleb had gotten on.

Xander admitted that his grandfather had been an actual genius for working out such a plan that appeared so discreet.

Stretching his hand out a bit to give a signal to the men of who he was, Caleb turned down the car’s headlight a bit. His heart raced with delight when he saw the troops of ready warriors looking fearsome. Turning his excited eyes at Xander, Caleb grinned.

“Does going to war amuse you that much?” Snorted Xander.

Caleb shrugged, “not exactly war. It’s the joy of intending to end the tyranny that has put most of our lives on hold up till this moment.”

“I’m just as eager as you are, Caleb. I want Ben’s existence in my life to come to an actual end.”

“Well, we are finally here!” He mused in response, putting the car off ignition.

Getting down hurriedly from the car, Caleb went to the car trunk to pull out Xander’s wheelchair. Carlos was already by his side to help lift Xander onto it.

Xander looked around at the warriors as they all stood at attention on his arrival. Jason was by his side with the tunnel map in hand.

“Good to have you here, alpha. We are waiting on your order. Jason has taken all of them through the routes of the tunnel before your arrival.” Carlos said to him.

“Where are the oldest set of warriors?” Xander asked Carlos.

With a nod from Carlos, the older warriors separated themselves from the rest.

“Good!” Xander nodded, “Caleb and Carlos; I want to believe you know how strong the warriors are. And those who have much more than the other.”

Caleb and Carlos nodded, “yes, alpha.”

“I need you to split them into groups. The older warriors would lead the way since they might be more familiar and sensitive to the road. I need the strongest arms to be split into two; the first half would be behind the older warriors while the ones with limited capacity would tow behind them. The other half of the strongest arm would be after those with limited capacity. For you, my wingmen, you would walk with me, but I would be behind you all.” Said Xander.

The others exchanged a glance, wondering what Xander was thinking, intending to walk behind them, considering his state.

“I know what you all are thinking. But you really do not have to worry.” He assured them.

They all arranged themselves as he had ordered, making their way to the mouth of the tunnel.