The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 196

Edwina’s POV…

I must say Xander’s attitude towards me seems really different, but that will be a discussion for later. And if I must admit, I really like this newfound closeness. At the same time, my head might just be messing around with me.

The dungeon looks so unlivable; it’s no surprise that hardened criminals are the ones left to rot in it. But the dungeon appeared to be like heaven for my father; he looked so unbothered, and his eyes unrepentant.

The moment the guards called him out, he appeared by the cell gate. John snickered when his eyes landed on Xander and me.

“You have really got some nerves bringing her here.” John snorted at Xander.

I would have expected Xander to say something, but instead, he kept his eyes glued to me. My hands were sweaty and shaky. I didn’t know how I was really feeling. So many emotions rushed through me. Standing unprovoked in front of me was the man that had caused so much pain to my sister and me. The same one who had faked his own death and made me think I was an orphan for years. And to cap it all, he was the murderer of my sister. Too many things are attached to this monstrous being that I don’t know how to refer to him.

“Dear daughter.” He mused in the voice that I have come to despise so much. “Took you long enough to finally come to see your father.

Rage engulfed me, and I didn’t know when my hands landed on his cheek. The guts he summoned to look me in the eye and try to play smart was really something.

John growled at me, his eyes blazing fire as he held the affected cheek through his cuffs. “How dare you!”

I raised a stern finger, “keep your bloody mouth shut, you despicable being!” I was no longer feeling any actual emotion. All I want to do is fight him with all the rage in my body.

“Don’t…” He tried to growl at me.

But I wasn’t having any of it, “don’t you try to say a word! All you have ever done in your life is cause chaos. How dare you kill my sister! What did she ever do to you?!” I screamed, grabbing the cell door and shaking it violently.

I felt a hand rub at my back. The moon goddess deserves an actual trophy for blessing me with someone as thoughtful as Xander. I needed to actually cool down a bit; my belly ached below as I let out a loud scream.

“You both have been a pain in the neck for me since my beloved wife died.”

“If you didn’t want us, you should have dropped us at the orphanage instead!” I yelled.

“Oh, I would have, but then how would I have had such fun with Sonia?” He had this nauseating grin on his face.

All I wanted to do was headbutt him right away. There is nothing to be deliberated on anymore. He was going to die, and if not by my hands, he would definitely die in front of me.

I turned towards Xander, my eyes lacing with angry tears. “I want him dead, Xander; I want every part of him chopped off. He doesn’t deserve to be breathing.”

Xander stared at me, holding up my hands. Almost like he was communicating with me silently.

John let out a cynical laugh. “You really should be thankful that I didn’t sell you off to someone who would treat you as you deserve. You low life!”

I was about to send him flying with another raging slap when one of the guards did it on my behalf. I heard John scream like a banshee. As terrible as he was, John still couldn’t take in as much pain as one would expect him to.

Holding my hands to stand behind him, Xander wheeled himself forward to face John. “You do know I never actually liked you from the very beginning. I should have suspected how terrible a person you are when you practically sold your first daughter out to me, depriving the other one of what she deserved.”

John sniffed, “you act like you are such a good-hearted person. Does Edwina know you killed Ben for revenge?”

My ears flapped open at the bombshell. I stared directly at Xander, who had a confused look in his eyes. I looked back at my father, who had a devious sneer on.

Xander had no reason to lie to me. I know Ben had hurt him so much, but he wouldn’t go to such an extent as to stoop really low to get his revenge.

“I promise you, Edwina, I didn’t do it. All of the warriors can testify to that.” He said to me.

“That’s a lie.” John countered.

“Enough!” I screamed, stomping out of the place.

I held my head tightly as I ran out of the dungeon. I was almost out of breath when I got out. My head spun so much it felt like I would pass out.

Just as my legs almost failed me, someone held my hand tightly from behind. It was Xander. I wondered how he got to me so quickly. I cried bitterly as I attempted to look away.

“You care about him that much?” Xander sounded hurt.

I sniffed, still not looking at him. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice how you had acted when I announced his death to you, and here you are crying your eyes out again for someone who slept with your sister and humiliated you.”

“Stop! Stop!!” I screamed.

“No, I won’t! I f*****g won’t, Edwina!” Xander sniffed, obviously crying. “Why would you still be hung up on someone as terrible as that? I can’t help it anymore; I have loved you for a while now, but somehow, I just can’t help it. I went through so much to fight Ben off your back and the whole pack. How selfish can you get to be more concerned about having such a terrible individual alive?” He sounded hurt.

I couldn’t take the attack anymore. I turned to him. “He was my first love. Yes, he did me wrong. He was terrible to me. But I learnt to love him.” I cried, getting down on my knees.

I could feel Xander’s eyes bore angry holes into me as he wheeled himself far away from me. My emotions were in a total wreck.