The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 200

Alexander’s POV…

I should really have a private chat with the moon goddess at this point. Things have been looking fine for the past two weeks, with Edwina and I getting closer and the alliance with the sizzlers pack going well. I felt at peace, hopeful of the good things to come. I had almost totally forgotten about John in the dungeon.

Caleb and I had been returning to the packhouse when Carlos called to inform us about John committing suicide. I couldn’t bring myself to tell Edwina. Caleb, as always, did the talking. For me, it was the way Edwina’s face morphed into an unreadable script.

“You should sit,” Caleb advised, helping her to sit her butt down.

I wheeled myself next to her, rubbing at her hand gently. “How do you feel?” I inquired.

Edwina exhaled, “I don’t know. It feels like it would have been better if he was killed by the law instead of getting away like that.”

I exchanged glances with Caleb, “so, you are not bothered about it?”

She chuckled, “I am glad it’s all over, and I don’t have to worry about him anymore.” She sniffed.

Somehow It felt like she was lying; the look on her face was too blank for someone as emotional as Edwina. I was right about how much turmoil she might be feeling inside when she excused herself to head out.

“You should go to her,” Caleb said

I shrugged nonchalantly, “it’s not like I don’t want to. What if she wants to be alone?”

Caleb snorted, “it’s just an excuse on your part to avoid having to deal with how to console her.”

“What if I say the wrong thing?”

Slapping his forehead, “if you weren’t my alpha, I would have said something along the line of you acting really dumb.”

“That’s a straight shoot at me, and it doesn’t sound nice.” I snickered.

“Just do as I say this time, alpha….” He dragged the alpha, sounding like he was enjoying the moment.

I snapped my fingers at him, “I would really get you back for this. I promise.”

Throwing a middle finger at him, I wheeled myself out, holding a hand for the guard attempting to render a hand.

“The Luna is by the garden.” One of the guards informed me when I stayed still, looking around.

Edwina was seated on the grass, hugging her legs tightly to herself, staring out into space. She was hardly blinking. Wheeling myself next to her, I stayed quiet.

Sensing my presence, she laid her head on my knee, sniffing softly. My fingers instinctively trailed her hair. She leaned deeper, resting her whole head and neck on my lap.

“I had always wanted their attention, Sonia and dad, when I was growing up. And then that of Ben when I eventually came of age. Dad’s affection mattered so much to me. It made me pray fervently to the moon goddess every night to let my dad have a touch of heart and love me instead of loving Sonia. Little did I know the goddess protected me from hate as I grew. I never knew he wasn’t just going to ruin my life, but Sonia’s too.” She paused to look up at me. “Do you think if our mother was alive, she would have protected us from him?”

Now, this question is one reason why I told f*****g Caleb that I would love to stay back. How am I to answer this without overstepping bounds? I gulped hard.

“You never could tell, Edwina. She might not have been able to protect you, and probably that would have been far worse.” I tried listening to what I said again. Sounds good, I guess.

She nodded her head in agreement, returning to her former position. “How do I ensure Star is protected from this awful family story of ours? How do I stop her future and happy memories from being tainted?”

“By not worrying about the said future and waiting for the time when you will get to the bridge and cross it.”

We both stayed quiet, reminiscing on whatever it was that came across each person’s mind.

“We should get in now. It’s becoming cold.” I told her.

Becca summoned us all for dinner, and it was really quiet. There wasn’t much to talk about despite Caleb’s sour attempt at cracking a joke. No one, especially Edwina, liked it because I did not fancy whatever he was trying to say, all majorly to spite him for refusing my wish tonight.

The dinner ended with no casualty. Edwina still wasn’t acting like her usual self. I nodded towards Becca to help take her up to our room and probably keep her company.

“Thought you went out to be a consoler. Why the hell is she still in such a sour mood?” Caleb bellowed the moment Becca and Sonia were out of hearing.

I rolled my eyes, sneering at him. “Don’t your dare talk to me! I was almost biting my tongue off, trying not to say something I might regret.”

“Stop being such a whiner.” He had a mischievous look in his eyes.

“I would really have you dealt with for ever making attempts to mess with me.”

Caleb sat back, closing his eyes and humming a tune to himself. I observed him for a moment. His face looked really relaxed.

“It’s all over now. I know this might sound unlike me, but I was almost losing my mind from all the troubles flying around.” He said.

I nodded my head in agreement. It might seem cold, but we have been on our toes trying to figure out ways to protect the pack from being invaded by people of greed. One crucial thing I have learnt from the three deaths in a row that had occurred was; for every decision you make, there is an obvious repercussion, even if it might take some number of years before coming to play. It would definitely catch up with one. John had thought he played everyone, but unfortunately, his same past had brought him back to where he had started from.

I rubbed at my head slowly, “I should join her, Caleb? Thanks for today, man.” I shook his hands.

“Anytime, man!” He mused, helping me to my destination.