Ch. 191..195: The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate Chapter 191-195

The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 191

Alexander’s POV…

When I headed to the sizzlers pack, I thought my emotions might burst out of place when I saw Ben. But to my surprise, all that came to my mind was a calmness that I couldn’t explain. I knew right there and then what I was to do right. The yells of the warriors clashing could be heard in the silent night.

I pulled a chair and sat in front of Bethel. One thing I have learnt about the sizzlers pack alpha is that; he never does things irrationally. He indulges in actions that would benefit himself and the pack as a whole. Knowing his kind of person, I decided to toss him a bone.

“So, you can walk now!” He started with a scoff

“Surprised you noticed.” I retorted sarcastically.

“Never knew you had moves; I was about to catch you off guard.” He sounded so boastful I wanted to knock some breath out of him.

“Should I have waited for you to take control of my birth home?”

He shrugged, “I’m not interested in leading your birth home; all I wanted is a piece of your land.”

“Which you would never get.” I glared

We both stared at each other despitefully. I never really fancied Bethel, and with the look of things, the feeling was quite mutual.

“I have a deal for you, Bethel.” I decided to get down to business, not wanting to beat around the bush, considering how many lives of my warriors might have been wasted in a bit to conquer the sizzlers pack. “I really don’t have any interest in your pack Bethel, but I want to make a pact with you.”

“Will it be beneficial to my pack?”

“Hear me out. Let me finish. So, to stop the brewing war, knowing there is a pandemic going on. It would be fatal on your part for your pack to be in chaos, I want you to release Ben and John Sinclair to me, and then I would indulge in a treaty with you to enable both the night howlers pack and sizzlers pack to indulge in trade and other beneficial economics just like old times.'”

Bethel appeared to be thinking, which I really hoped for his own good would take my offer. I have no intention of shedding innocent b***d. It was becoming really tiring. I have had about enough of all the ruckus, but if he wanted to play such a game, I would gladly indulge him.

“How about you let me a quarter of that land that seems really close to the sizzlers pack? We don’t seem to have enough.” He gave a toothy grin.

I sighed, rubbing at my forehead. “That is if you do make a promise to not try any funny business.”

“On my honour!”

“Bethel, you bastard!” Ben yelled, trying to get himself away from the hands holding him down. He had been listening keenly, that I noticed.

Bethel ignored him, “you can take him and whomever he had sneaked into my pack without my consent.” Turning towards Ben with a vicious snare, “you should really be thankful that he is taking you away. I would have skinned you alive for defying me.”

“Call your men to order,” I told him.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he dialled hurriedly. “Stop the attacks.” I nodded at Caleb to do the same. Bethel held an outstretched hand to me, “that’s a deal.”

I shook it back, “I will be watching you. Let them go except Ben and John.” I told my warriors. All of the council members scampered out to safety.

He nodded with a smirk, “I would watch your back to trust me. I care about my pack being at peace and safety, but I wouldn’t mind having some extra nice things. Now, can you tell me how the f**k you all came into my pack without anyone noticing?”

I held a wide grin this time around, “we can discuss that over dinner at my pack sometime soon. How about that?”

“Can’t believe you just asked me to eat with you. Of course, my newfound friend, I would definitely have dinner with you.”

Ben g*****d and twisted, trying to shift, but Carlos and Jason had a good grip on him. “How dare you mess my plan up, Bethel. How dare you?”

I stood up and walked towards Ben, kneeling in front of him. He spat in my face. Not letting it get to me, I wiped it off.

“Since when did you become this pathetic?” I inquired.

“You have no right to ask me that,” Ben responded.

I observed him for a while and noticed the wrinkles on his face, which were non-evident before. I had always admired how good-looking Ben was. He didn’t really have to try too hard. It’s obvious that his mind had been preoccupied with ruining the night howlers that he didn’t have much time to rest himself.

“Why Ben?” I finally asked the question that burned my chest badly. “What did I ever do to you?”

Ben laughed cynically, “I have always despised how you take control when you aren’t even worth it. To make matters worse, you married my woman!”

My mouth was agape. Ben’s head really needed to be checked. “You shouldn’t be hurt by the same action you put up. I only did a quarter of what you did to me.”

“I want the power you possess. You are too weak to own it. So is this Buffon!” He yelled at Bethel.

You could tell that Bethel didn’t expect much from Ben. “How dare you! After everything I have done for you!” Bethel retorted.

“Oh, please!” Ben scoffed, “I was only using you too, but it turns out you are more useless than him.”

Taking two quick steps, Bethel punched Ben in the face. “You deserve everything done to you.”

“Let’s go, guys. We would interrogate him better at the pack and give him his deserved punishment.” I motioned towards my men.

Glancing quickly at John, he looked so pathetic. I couldn’t believe I was setting my eyes on him again after a long time since he faked his death.

Carlos let on a loose hand as he and Jason pulled Ben up. Taking the chance open to him, Ben elbowed Jason and swung a blind punch at Carlos as he tried to shift at the same time. One of the warriors pulled Ben and threw him against the wall, and as he attempted to jump back at him, another one close by stuck him with a knife in his gut.

In a twinkle of an eye, Ben lay on the floor breathless.

 

The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 192

Alexander’s POV…

I had seen dead bodies countless times before, but I didn’t think I would feel this blank with my one-time best friend lying lifeless in front of me. It had happened so fast that there was no way anyone could throw blames around. Ben clearly knew what he was doing when he attempted to fight the warriors. There was no way he would have been able to escape.

Everyone stood startled, uncertain of what move to make next. Bethel seems like the only one unbothered among us all.

“I would ask for his body to be deposited somewhere far away or burnt. It would be a waste of land and time to bury him right.” Bethel muttered, “thanks for the insight, alpha Alexander. Would do well to come for dinner at yours as soon as the sizzlers pack completes its lockdown. Now to avoid further distraction, I would like you and your men off my land.”

Not arguing because we clearly have nothing else to do there. It was almost morning by the time we all stepped outside. My entire army and I walked out of the sizzlers’ gate without going back through the tunnel. I had instructed Jason and some warriors to head back to the tunnel and ensure no clue was left behind for the sizzlers to discover it.

We might have come to a truce, but that doesn’t mean I trust bethel to not do something stupid.

“It’s not your fault; he got what he deserved,” Caleb said to me as the four of us retired to my office. Each person sprawled out on the available seats.

We were in the early morning hours, and some warriors had been sent to the infirmary as they were injured from the fight that had ensued before it got stopped. We were unscratched, so there was no need to be at the infirmary. John has been locked in the deepest part of the dungeon. I wouldn’t be the one to decide his fate. Edwina would. I really can’t wait to see the look on her face when she learns of his capture.

Ben’s death was still a shock to me. I had wanted to punish him severely for all that he did. The thought of him threatening to take Edwina away from me made me so livid. Now that he was dead, all of my anger had dissipated to mere smoke.

Shutting my eyes tightly, I tried hard to unsee the scene of his death. I might need therapy at this point.

“Why exactly are we all moody?” Caleb sounded excited. “Shouldn’t you all be glad we would be having some good sleep after what seems like forever?”

Carlos chuckled, sitting up, “you seem so vested in that sleep of yours. How are we sure it doesn’t have to do with some sleep around Becca than you getting some actual sleep.”

Caleb threw a pen at him laughing, “shut the f**k up.”

Their laughter made me realize I wasn’t the only one who was tensed due to the troubles the pack was facing.

I cleared my throat, “I am really glad all of this is over, and I must really thank you all. Jason, thanks for holding tightly to the pack’s secret. Your position is well deserved. Caleb and Carlos, thanks for producing worthy enough warriors. I really can’t thank you all enough.” I paused, watching their expression. I could sense the eagerness in Carlos and Jason’s eyes. They clearly intend to ask me the question which I already know. But I decided to humour myself. “Shoot, guys, I know you want to know really bad.”

Carlos, always being the vocal one, scratched the back of his head, “why have you been stuck in your wheelchair when you could clearly walk?”

I held a finger up, “now, don’t get it wrong. I was initially confined to the wheelchair. But I did get healed a few years later.”

“Why did you decide to stick to it, then?” Inquired Jason.

I stared at Caleb. He looked keen on hearing the truth too. I felt it was time to let him on it.

“Actually, I got healed before the ruckus of Ben and Sonia’s betrayal came to light. I had wanted to show Sonia so bad that I could finally walk. But I decided to keep it to myself when I took note of her attitude towards me after the accident. My instincts stood strongly against me admitting that I was fine. And in no time, their betrayal got exposed.”

They nodded their head in understanding. Caleb muttered, “then why were you still in it? The Ben and Sonia saga has been over for a while.”

“Well, I guess that strategy worked, as it made Ben think we would be too weak to revolt due to the state the alpha was in,” Carlos responded on my behalf.

“Seems like there is more to it.” Jason pressed on.

I grinned this time, trying to hide the embarrassment on my face. “Actually, it might sound childish, but I can’t help it. I just want to know if I can trust in Edwina’s love enough. I wanted to know if she would love me with my present state.”

“Ohh. The alpha is in love.” Carlos teased.

Jason sighed, throwing his head to the back. “Seems like I am the only one doomed to die of loneliness. Every one of you has someone to love.”

Carlos placed a hand on his shoulder, looking sober. “I’m no different from you, bro. The one I love doesn’t love me back.”

I laughed loudly. They were acting so dramatic. “Can you inform your men that the news of my healing can’t be made known to the public yet? I’m not ready to let myself open to Edwina.”

“Roger, that boss!” Carlos did a mock salute before letting out a loud and long yawn. “I could really do with some sleep right now.”

“Me too,” Jason added with a yawn too.

“I guess we should all go get some rest then. We all deserve it.” I said to them.

Bidding their goodbyes, Caleb stood up, heading to the small locker room in the office. He brought out another wheelchair. Don’t know what people were thinking, but I had gotten a wheelchair as a gift when I had just gotten paralyzed.

“Here, since the other one is stuck in the tunnel.” He said, pushing it to me. I stood up and sat in it. “I hope you get the true love you deserve.”

I nodded wholeheartedly, hoping my heart wouldn’t shatter to pieces this time.

 

The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 193

Authors POV…

Caressing her neck slowly, Becca stood outside the hallway, trying to figure out why she was awake so early when it wasn’t dawn yet. She had been experiencing some difficulty sleeping; all through the night, Edwina and Star kept her awake.

Edwina had become a total wreck by the end of the day after Becca had done all she could to persuade her to cheer her up. Becca would like to think Edwina was also being affected by pregnancy hormones. Star obviously missed the breast she fed on while her mother was still alive, and the genesis of their current doom wasn’t even up to seventy-two hours yet.

Something else kept Becca on her toes; Caleb had texted her the day before that they would be making a surprise attack on the sizzlers pack, which scared her a whole lot. It felt heavy, carrying the weight of the thoughts. To make matters worse, she couldn’t share with Edwina, considering how disoriented the young woman was.

After running a shift between Edwina and Star as they finally fell into a deep sleep a long time past midnight, Becca couldn’t sleep. She had checked her phone, and there was no message or missed call. Since she couldn’t sleep, she had to stand by the stairs, hoping Caleb would return with the alpha soon.

Saying a silent prayer to the moon goddess, Becca hoped there would be no more bad news knowing it would be too much for any one of them to bear. Pacing the hallway back and forth made the guards on duty glance at her from time to time, wondering what had gotten into her.

The large door sprung open, almost resulting in Becca leaping down from where she was. Her eyes caught hold of Xander’s wheel tires. Becca ran down the stairs without waiting to confirm whether it was the alpha and beta. As she descended breathlessly, her heart melted when she saw Caleb and Xander making light fun of each other. They were so engrossed in their discussion that it took them a few seconds for them to notice her.

“Becca!” Both men called out at the same time.

Raising her head high, Becca sniffed. “I thought something had gone wrong.” Tears lingered at the corners of her eyes.

Xander smirked, raising a playful brow at Caleb. “You told her?”

Grinning like a naughty toddler, Caleb scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, a little bit.”

“Please tell me you didn’t let Edwina know about it?” Xander stared up at Becca.

Becca tried to smile, “no, I didn’t, alpha Xander. That would be insensitive on my path.”

Xander looked highly grateful, “thanks for being thoughtful, Becca.” He turned his head towards Caleb. “Just help me up; I will tour the rest of the journey on my own.”

He wasn’t surprised when Caleb didn’t argue about ensuring he helped him to the front of his room. Xander smiled to himself. His beta couldn’t take another proper step away from Becca, or else he might lose a footing.

“You look tired,” Caleb said to Becca as they both entered her room after he had helped Xander to his room.

“You don’t look any different.” She retorted, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Caleb observed her, trying to figure out what had her looking so fagged when his eyes went towards the top of the bed to find a tiny-looking creature in the middle of the bed.

“Why is Star here?”

Becca glanced at the baby, returning her gaze to Caleb. “I adopted her. I wanted to tell you, but it’s been really busy the past hours for you.”

Sighing, Caleb sat next to her, pulling her into his arms. “Talk to me.”

Rubbing her nose against his chest, Becca sighed in bliss. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, “I just feel so overwhelmed about everything. We were fine three days ago, and it seemed like it was all beginning to fall into place. All of a sudden, we came spiralling down again. How did the attack on the sizzlers pack go?” She released herself from his hold, turning her head to look at him.

Caleb smiled widely, “we were victorious and tell you what, John has been caught!”

Becca gasped, “stop playing. Was he hiding there? How did he get in?”

“That’s an interrogation for another day. We did get the sizzlers alpha to make a truce with us. Also, Ben is dead.”

His announcement made her stare at him, shell-shocked. “How?” Becca asked with a shaky breath.

Caleb exhaled, “it wasn’t intentional. He resisted arrest and tried to escape. The warriors were on alert and thought it to be a dangerous move. He was executed right there.”

“Edwina!” She whispered.

“She should be glad.” He murmured, pulling her closer to him as he rested his whole self on the bed, making Becca lay on top of him.

Becca bit on her thumb hard, knowing Edwina still had some feelings hidden away for Ben. It scared her so much to think of what Edwina would do when she heard of Ben’s death. It was one thing for the two persons who had betrayed her trust to die. But another different thing, when they had been an important part of Edwina’s life.

Caleb stretched out his hand to tug at Star’s tiny legs. He had never really thought of having a child of his own, but it filtered into his thought the day Sonia had birthed little Star. The fascination every one of them had in their eyes made his heart skip. It became imminent when Xander announced Edwina’s pregnancy. Maybe someday he and Becca could adopt or even have a child.

“We should have one of ours soon.” He whispered.

Holding his gaze, Becca laid a hand on his chest. “She is my daughter now. Not totally official yet, but she is.”

He kissed her lightly on the lips, “I want her to be mine too, and then more babies will come.”

Becca smiled as she watched his eyes blink slowly, then shut tightly as sleep evaded him as he snored lightly. Leaning further into him, she kissed him.

After checking on Star once again, who slept beautifully, Becca returned to Caleb’s arms, finally letting in some sleep.

 

The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 194

Alexander’s POV…

Edwina had been crying in her sleep when I got into the room. When I hurried to her side, her eyes were closed, which obviously met she was fast asleep. Her hums resounded.

My body and mind were too exhausted to keep an eye on her. So instead, I lay next to her wrapping my arms around her as I shut my eyes for some blissful sleep.

Her attempt to move away from my hold had woken me up. “Hey,” I whispered, trying to adjust my eyes to the ray of sunlight that seeped in through the slightly opened curtain.

“Good morning.” Edwina’s voice sounded coarse. It hurt me as I imagined how long she must have been crying. “When did you return?” She asked, moving away from me as she sat up.

I did the same as her, “this morning.” I replied, letting out a long yawn as I rubbed at my tired eyes.

The way she blinked, it was obvious she had no more tears to let out. Her crying tank was dry. If I was the tank too, there was no way I would seek a refill. Her eyes held such huge bags if they were added to car airbags, they would suffocate an accident victim.

I don’t intend to sound hard-hearted, but I don’t understand why she is losing her mind over Sonia’s death. All Sonia had ever caused Edwina was hurt and pain, even though she had obviously sought forgiveness in her last hours. It still didn’t count for the past years of torment. But there is no way I would understand how Edwina’s mind works. It’s one of the reasons I am so smitten by her.

I wiped at the single tear that rolled down her face, “it’s okay, Edwina. You would hurt yourself badly at this rate.”

She sniffed, trying to blink back the tears. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“I know how you feel, and I know how it feels to lose a loved one. But you can’t continue this way; it’s not your fault.”

“It’s my fault, Xander….” She began.

I g*****d inwardly. Here we go again with her putting herself in the middle of all the mess created by others.

Listen, baby…..” Edwina cut me short, not letting me finish. I had to bite hard on my tongue.

“If I had stayed with her or brought her over to the main house on my insistence, she would still be safe with us and be chanced to tend to her child.”

Accepting that she wouldn’t listen to me, I stretched out my hands. She took the cue and leaned into my embrace.

“Whatever it is you are feeling, I am right here for you.” I patted her back.

Edwina burst into another bout of tears, this might sound selfish, but I was beginning to fear for my own unborn child. I had heard pregnant women aren’t supposed to be crying. But not only was Edwina crying, she was grieving too. How would the cub come out happy with a sad mother?

I needed to make sure she healed from the pain. My mind raced back to the event that had taken place at the sizzlers pack early this morning. I had almost forgotten all about it. This was sure to be good news, and I can bet she would be happier about it and probably proud of me for taking a hasty decision when it was necessary.

“You might cheer up hearing this,” I muttered into her hair.

“You found John Sinclair?” Edwina sat up, staring at me with eager eyes. She would lap up any form of news that was relayed to her.

“Yup.” I nodded.

She jumped at me, almost pulling out my neck, “you don’t say!”

A proud grin spread on my lips. “I mean every word; he is in the dungeon awaiting his sentence.”

“How did you find him and where? Is that why you weren’t home last night?” Edwina queried, almost running out of breath.

This time around, I felt really proud to blow my horn my own self. “Actually, I ordered my men to attack the sizzlers pack last night, and we resolved it all in the early hours of the morning.”

The look on her face was so priceless it made me want to leap into the air screaming loudly. Not only did Edwina look impressed, but her eyes were also filled with admiration surpassing the sadness in them.

“We found John hiding in the sizzlers pack. And thankfully, I had followed my instincts for us to carry out our attack earlier than planned due to John’s escape. It had prevented a chaotic attack that might have brought the night howlers to its knees.”

“How did it go? How many of you are hurt? Are you hurt anywhere?” She threw the questions at me while running her hands through my body to check for any form of wounds.

I chuckled, “I’m fine, Edwina. We came to a form of negotiation with the sizzlers pack alpha, telling him to release Ben and John to us. We wouldn’t have to indulge in any b***d-shedding.”

“He agreed?”

“Well, he only agreed on the conditions of taking control over an expanse of night howlers’ land. Bethel would also be having dinner with us soon.”

“This is excellent news. We are safe then?” Her eyes held so many questions.

And I knew what they were. I held her by the shoulders, holding her gaze. “no one is going to take you away from me, Edwina.”

Edwina nodded in response, her eyes glued to the bed sheets. “How about Ben?” The question came in a mere whisper, more like she feared hearing the answer.

I tried to hold back the sly smirk coming to my face, despite the feeling I had got when Ben’s body lay a few feet away from me. If I must be frank, he deserved what he got. He got served just the way the goddess wanted him to. Ben had been a pain in the neck for many of us, including Edwina herself.

I would have bet my life on it that her mood would change to a joyous one the moment she hears of Ben’s demise.

What I don’t get is why she had such a horrified look on her face when I did tell her, “Ben is dead!”

 

The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 195

Edwina’s POV…

It felt like my b***d had run dry when Xander told me about Ben’s death. B***d rushed through my ear, and I didn’t want to believe what I had just heard. Ben had been a major tormentor in my life, but a treacherous part of my heart still held long feelings for him.

His death made something strike my heart that made me shriek in pain. Xander almost fell to the ground as he jumped off the bed to fetch me some water.

“Here!” He handed the filled glass to me, his eyes darting back and forth in worry.

I gulped down the content, trying to breathe steadily. My throat itched from all the tears I had been pumping out all day and night. I felt not just physically exhausted, but my soul was too.

Ben was the first person I would ever fall in love with, despite his bad attitude towards me. It still didn’t put off the fact that my mind and body yearned for him.

“You okay?” Xander inquired.

I tried to compose myself and not end up expressing or giving off my heartful thoughts to him. He wouldn’t only feel pained but also heartbroken, maybe I cared too much about what he felt, and I didn’t want to be one of those who hurt him.

Xander had been nothing but sweet and thoughtful towards me and my requests since we got married. That explains so much about him. I can brood over the loss of Ben when I am alone, not when the one person who has shown genuine care towards me is sitting in front of me.

“I’m fine.” I coughed out, “I was just taken aback by the news. How did he die?”

Releasing his knee from beneath him, Xander returned to his sitting position before I acted up.

“It was an unintentional killing on the part of my men. He had tried to attack them; it was just mere self-defence.” He responded.

“Then, are you on good terms with the sizzlers pack now?”

“We weren’t so much of friends or enemies, but we both kept to our boundaries. Until Ben decided he wanted to betray the pack and teamed up with alpha Bethel. Bethel is the kind of person who would take just about anything from you as long as it’s beneficial to him. Which implies he can switch sides at the drop of a heart.”

I didn’t seem too surprised by what Xander said; people like alpha Bethel don’t have a particular direction regarding who they relate to. When Ben and I were married, I would see him send and buy numerous expensive things that weren’t necessary and send it all down to sizzlers pack. I had thought there were just mere gestures.

Now that I thought deeply about it, Ben had always been sneaky and did show signs of becoming one’s enemy.

“You look so pale. Are you that affected by what I just said?” Xander had his face fixed in a worried frown.

I shrugged, “just too many news at the same time. You said John is right here with us in the pack?”

“He is in the dungeon.”

“Do you mind if I see him, please?” I pleaded.

Xander grinned, “definitely. Maybe I forgot to tell you this, but his sentence is all up to you to decide.”

I nodded my head absentmindedly, trying not to think of Ben. “I would like to go now.”

He looked really tired and exhausted, I knew I was being selfish at the moment, but I wanted to feast on the fact that I was grieving and needed every support that could be provided.

“Okay. Help me with the wheel, please.” Xander sounded distant, but even if he was, there was no sign of it on his face.

I got down from the bed, shifting the wheel near the edge of the bed to help him get in. Watching him turn round the bed in an attempt to sit in the wheelchair made me wonder how tall Xander was and if he would look more attractive if he stood on his legs.

“Shouldn’t you have a change of cloth?” Inquired Xander

I let out a short gasp, almost forgetting I was only in my nightwear. Dragging my stiff body to the bathroom, I tried to take a hurried shower to keep myself awake. As the water touched my skin, it stung. Tears rolled down my eyes with no actual thought of it. There was no way I could get over two deaths in an expanse of four days.

“Edwina!” Xander’s voice brought me out of my reverie.

I must have been in here for too long. He was by the bathroom door when I got out. His eyes trailed over my wet body, sending tingles down my spine. My thoughts were going wild again.

“Edwina!” Xander held my hand in the softest kind of way. Maybe I can’t remember, but I don’t think he had ever been so mushy around me. “I know this might be hard for you, but I want you to act as unbothered as you can. John might try to get in your head and make you feel uncertain about your feelings. But don’t let him. He has hurt you just about enough, don’t let him continue with it. You deserve to be happy and express your anger in a way you feel. Don’t suppress it anymore, please.”

The tears were coming again; I knew exactly what Xander meant by his words. My father is the greatest manipulator I have ever encountered. When Ben had asked for my hand in marriage, and I had been a bit hesitant, he had said so much to me I had no choice but to do as told. He knew just what to say to hurt me and how to get to me.

Wiping my tears off, I looked up at him, “you don’t have to worry. I’m too exhausted to let out any emotions for him to pick on.”

Xander smiled up at me, “that’s my girl.”