The Alpha's Exchanged Mate
The Alpha’s Exchanged Mate – Chapter 89

Edwina’s POV…

My thoughts roamed as we got closer to the home of my young years; a nostalgic feeling swept over me as I got out of the car. The house where the memories haunted my elder sister and me. The home that seemed like the safest haven, despite it being the beginning and end of our torment.

Just as I attempted to walk into the house, Becca pulled me back by my hand.

“What are you doing, Luna Edwina?” She questioned.

I stared at her in confusion, “what do you mean?”

“I am sorry if it seems like I was eavesdropping on your conversation, but didn’t she say he was alive?”

I nodded my head, “all the same, it’s necessary for me to affirm his presence if he is.”

“Fine,” Becca responded, not sounding convinced. Turning to the driver, she told him, “if you don’t see us out in ten to fifteen minutes, come replace us.”

I chuckled lightly, “nothing would go wrong. You are too paranoid.” I was trying to sound more convincing to myself than I was to Becca.

Stepping onto the porch of the house, flashbacks of my younger years hit me.

**FLASHBACK**

I had an intention to leave the house and play with the other children under the full moon, everyone seemed to be having fun, and I didn’t want to be left out. I then ran to meet my dad, who was busy playing dress-up with Sonia.

“Can I go out to play, papa?” I asked him excitedly.

Sonia then glared at me, shaking her head.

“And of what use will your presence be there?” My father had thrown back at me.

I was taken aback by his retaliation. Over the years, when they kept me away from the public face, I thought they did that because I was still very young. But hearing him respond spitefully made me almost recoil. But I was a bit stubborn too. I didn’t move away from where I stood.

“Don’t make me repeat myself, Edwina, you can’t go. You aren’t qualified to play amongst them, don’t you get it? You have a deficiency.” My father barked, sprouting spit all over my face.

My heart raced in fear at his sudden change of attitude. Sonia laughed hysterically before racing out to join the rest of the children. I watched them from the window panes as Sonia said something to them, making them turn their attention to where I stood before they began laughing loudly.

**PRESENT DAY**

That night I had cried my eyes out; I was pained and felt broken. Over the years, I didn’t bother to fight the feeling of dejection anymore. It became my reality that I couldn’t run away from. My family didn’t hesitate to remind me of my dent, especially my sister, who was meant to be my shield. It was an entirely different turn for me, and I had come to a resolve with it.

I knew at an early stage that I wasn’t wanted; it’s amusing how much I have transited due to adulthood and marriage. The house sparkled clean as we made our way in.

“This house doesn’t seem like it’s been left for a long time. There has been some form of life in here.” Becca noted, sniffing the air

“How would you know that?” I questioned.

She flipped her hand on the floor and then headed to the bathroom; there was an obvious sign someone had been in the house.

“Right here, someone had been in this house about a few hours ago.” She informed me, “do you have any other family members who have access to this place?”

“No, it’s always just been our father and us. I haven’t been to this house since I got married to Ben, not until today.” I told her.

“And it’s certainly not Sonia.” She reasoned.

We checked through the house again. It was certain that someone was occupying the place. However, it still didn’t imply that our father was alive. The house had been abandoned for years, and of course, any homeless wanderer would want to stay in the comfort that it provided.

“This still doesn’t imply your father being alive,” Becca said as if reading my thoughts.

Just then, something struck my mind, “wait a minute.” I told her, racing to my father’s study. Our father had a habit of dusting off the remains of his smoke stick on the table directly. However, there were no smoke traces anywhere, and neither was there a smoke tray, to my disappointment.

I would need to go back to Sonia. She is definitely losing her mind and doesn’t realize it. It’s my fault this happened, though; I had let up my expectations with her again. I had thought she was being sincere with me for the first time. However, it’s obvious she just wanted to play me; being the fool I was, she could always take advantage of the love I had for her as a sister.

“It’s okay.” Becca consoled me when she noticed my countenance. Xander would be disappointed in me for trusting my sister yet again. Someone who made a fool of me countless times won’t hesitate to do it again.

But then again, the look in Sonia’s eyes was absolutely sincere. She couldn’t make up such a lie all in the name of wanting to escape. Would she?

I doubted this. A woman who had stood trial obviously wouldn’t be scared of anything.

Different questions were stuck in my mind, why would our father go into hiding and fake his own death? What was he trying to prove? Is it possible Sonia is playing mind games with me? My head ached from the thoughts. I had no idea what I was meant to believe. The house that served as the only clue for us to believe Sonia was spotless of any evidence.

“We should go now, Luna.” Becca reminded me as she checked her wristwatch.

Our fifteen minutes were up. It would be unfair for the driver or Caleb to barge in here over nothing. The moment we stepped out, the driver was already making his way out of the car. He did take the order seriously.

Becca opened the car door for me to enter, and she did the same after I had settled in. As the car drove out of the compound, I could have sworn I saw a pair of eyes hidden in a dark cloak watching us from behind the tree near my house.