The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 76

Edwina’s POV…

I woke up to find the other side of the bed long cold. It was apparent my dear husband had left the house a long time ago. Checking the time, I noticed I had slept in for a long time. The marathon s*x we had the night before had been so soothing to my pain that all I could do was fall into a long sleep. Getting up from the bed, I stretched my full length. The merits of s*x must be underestimated, I felt brand new, and some of my worries had dissipated.

Heading into the bathroom, I pulled off my robe, staring at my naked self in the mirror. I felt my nipple as I rubbed my hands carefully on my breast. The thoughts of Sonia being molested by our father came rushing back to me, and I felt guilty.

Would things have been different if I had a wolf? Would he have abused me instead of Sonia? How was he even still alive and hadn’t committed murder? Then the thought of Sonia’s anger regarding my marriage to Xander confused me. Did I do anything wrong? What exactly was my fault? I only wanted to save my only sister. I tried to convince myself that Sonia was being a selfish person, but I couldn’t help the guilt that rode my heart.

I felt horrible with the mere thought of it. Shutting my eyes tightly, I tried to ignore the taunts from the voice telling me it was all my fault that Sonia ended up the way she did. I was going to let out a tormenting scream the next minute when a light knock at the door came to my hearing. It was Becca, for sure.

“Come in,” I called out as I walked away from the bathroom, taking a seat on the bed.

“Good morning Luna.” Becca mused.

I thought I had issues, but whatever was weighing on Becca’s mind must have gotten the best of her. She had aged overnight; clearing out my own cloud of thoughts, I beckoned to her.

“What is the matter Becca, you seem not to have slept a wink.”

She took a deep breath, her eyes sunken deeper as she stared into space.

I stood up, walked close to her, and held her by the shoulder as I guided her toward the bed.

She jolted all of a sudden, “no, no, I can’t sit on the alpha and Luna’s marital bed. I would rather stand, please.”

I sighed in frustration, “stop being so dramatic and sit your a*s down.” I insisted on sitting her butt roughly on the soft comfort of the bed.

“Don’t!” I warned with a glare when she attempted to protest. “Now, tell me all that is working you up.”

Becca looked away from me, her lips moving slightly. Like she was trying to find the right words to say.

“You can trust me, Becca,” I told her reassuringly.

She finally looked my way. I could see despair and loneliness in her eyes. I know because I had felt that way practically all of my life.

“I couldn’t sleep all through the night, I wonder why I have to live this sort of life. Sometimes I ask if I am not just good enough, or maybe I don’t deserve something good. I have tried my best to live appropriately. I’m not greedy, I don’t trick people into loving me. I don’t love anyone for any reason whatsoever, I do so naturally. But then, happiness seems to always want to part ways with me….” She let out a sob.

I didn’t try to stop her, it was obvious she needed to cry out, and I wouldn’t be an obstacle to that.

“I love him so much, I can’t help it. Seeing him makes my heart filled, and yet he doesn’t see me beyond being a good friend. I want to be more to him. I want him to lay his head on my bosom after a long day at work. I want to ease his worries. Is that too much to ask? Maybe I am not worthy enough, and Ramona is. Don’t I look attractive enough?”

I shook my head, but she kept on. Obviously, she didn’t need my answer. It must have been a rhetorical question, then.

Becca stood up, letting out a painful gasp. She turned towards me, gesturing with her hands. “We have always been alone, and not for once has his hand lingered on my bare skin ever so slightly. It’s almost like it creeps him out.” She was holding out the short flowery dress she had on, exposing a bit of thigh skin. “Is it so unworthy of being touched? All night long, the thought of how Ramona m****d under him as he screwed her insides electrified every part of me. I want him to touch me, I want to feel every path of him inside me. I want him, I can’t help the thought of sharing him with someone else.” This time she let out a full blown wail.

I sat still on the bed, my hands sprawled out on my lap. I knew exactly how Becca felt. When I was with Ben, I cried myself to sleep on the nights he was away. Wondering when he would actually consider me as a woman worthy of his love.

I had never caught him secretly staring at me. He only gave me that sort of look when he intended to have s*x with me. Most days, I cursed my being out loudly. I felt less of myself and undesirable. Having to love someone and not being loved back is the most hurtful feeling ever.

Thoughts of me speaking to Caleb danced around my head, but that would be me selling Becca short. She doesn’t deserve that. She deserves to be respected and loved like every other she-wolf. Caleb has no idea what he is missing out on.

Getting off the bed, I crawled next to Becca, pulling her to myself to enable her to ease out the pain consuming her.