The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 112

Freya’s POV

My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I felt Thorne stiffen beside me.

"Selena," he said, his voice carefully controlled, "this is Freya Riley. She works at Grey Estate. She's here to try on the ceremonial robes in Kaelin's place. Kaelin is still recovering from her injury."

Selena's smile faltered only slightly. "Oh! Of course, how thoughtful. Similar builds, I see." She recovered quickly, extending her hand to me. "Selena Price. It's a pleasure to meet you, Freya."

"Likewise," I murmured, taking her hand briefly. Her grip was warm and genuine, unlike the reluctant touches I typically received from other wolves.

"Selena is Sebastian's sister," Thorne explained, mentioning one of his childhood friends. "She recently returned from studying design in Europe."

"Paris and Milan," Selena confirmed with a smile. "I've brought back all the latest techniques for our traditional ceremonial garments." She turned to me, her enthusiasm infectious. "Come, let me show you what I've been working on for the binding ceremony. These are all specially designed for Alpha families, perfectly cut to showcase feminine curves while honoring our pack traditions."

She led me deeper into the boutique, past racks of exquisite clothing to a private showroom in the back. Thorne and Mark followed at a distance, taking seats in a waiting area while Selena guided me to a raised platform surrounded by mirrors.

"These are my finest pieces," she said proudly, gesturing to several magnificent robes displayed on mannequins. "The silver thread is woven with moonstone dust—it catches the light during the ceremony, symbolizing the Moon Goddess's blessing."

The garments were truly breathtaking—flowing silver and white fabrics with intricate embroidery depicting wolf packs running beneath full moons. Even my untrained eye could see they were masterpieces.

"They're beautiful," I said honestly.

"Let's start with this one," Selena suggested, carefully removing a silver-white robe from its display. "I think it will complement your coloring beautifully." She paused, glancing toward the waiting area where Thorne sat scrolling through his phone. "The fitting room is just through here. We'll have complete privacy."

I followed her into a spacious room lined with mirrors and soft lighting. Selena hung the ceremonial robe on a hook and turned to me expectantly.

"Let's get you out of those clothes, dear, and into something worthy of—" She caught herself. "Something that will help us properly fit Kaelin's ceremonial robe."

I hesitated, my hand going instinctively to the high collar of my dress. "I... I should warn you. I have some rather unsightly marks on my skin."

Selena's expression softened. "Don't worry, dear. I've seen all sorts of scars and birthmarks in my line of work. Nothing shocks me anymore."

Slowly, reluctantly, I turned my back to her and unbuttoned my dress, letting it slip from my shoulders. I heard her sharp intake of breath as the fabric fell away, revealing the network of silver-white scars that crisscrossed my back, shoulders, and arms—permanent reminders of my time in the Silver Shackles Prison before my exile to the Forgotten Wilds.

"Moon Goddess," Selena whispered. "What happened to you?"

I kept my eyes fixed on the floor, shame burning through me. "Moon-silver restraints," I answered quietly. "They leave marks when worn for extended periods."

Her fingers hovered near my shoulder, not quite touching. "These are... extensive. Was this Alpha Thorne's punishment?"

I glanced up, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "No," I said softly. "This was punishment for my own stupidity."

Selena's expression was troubled as she helped me into the ceremonial robe. The cool, smooth fabric felt like water against my skin, concealing the worst of my scars. She worked in silence for a few moments, pinning and adjusting the garment.

"Riley," she said suddenly, her voice thoughtful. "I remember now. There was a prominent Beta family by that name in Moon Bay several years ago." Her eyes met mine in the mirror. "They were exiled for treason against the Alpha, weren't they?"

My heart raced. "Yes," I admitted, watching her reaction carefully.

"I was abroad when it happened," she continued, adjusting the drape of fabric across my shoulders. "But I remember hearing about it. It was quite the scandal."

I turned to face her directly. "Did you... did you ever hear anything about what happened to them? The Riley family had a male heir. Do you know what became of him?"

Hope flared briefly in my chest, only to be extinguished by her apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, dear. I've only recently returned to Moon Bay. I'm still catching up on pack politics myself." She squeezed my hand gently. "But if I hear anything, I'll be sure to let you know."

I nodded, swallowing my disappointment. Another dead end in my search for my family.

"There," Selena said, stepping back to assess her work. "Let's show Alpha Thorne how this looks, shall we?"

She helped me into a pair of silver slippers, then guided me back to the main showroom. I walked carefully, unaccustomed to the flowing fabric and elegant shoes. The ceremonial robe felt impossibly light yet substantial, catching the light with every movement.

As I stepped onto the raised platform in the center of the showroom, I heard a sudden silence fall. Looking up, I saw Thorne and Mark both staring at me, their expressions stunned.

"What do you think, Alpha?" Selena asked proudly. "Isn't she magnificent?"

I felt exposed under their scrutiny, acutely aware that I was wearing a garment meant for Thorne's future mate. The irony wasn't lost on me—once, I had dreamed of being that mate. Now I was merely a stand-in, a body of convenient size.

"She looks like a messenger of the Moon Goddess herself," Selena continued when Thorne didn't immediately respond. "That silver-white against her skin—it's perfect."

I kept my eyes lowered, unable to meet Thorne's gaze. I could feel the weight of his attention, sense the sudden tension in his body. His wolf was stirring; I could almost hear it.

"Actually," Selena said, her voice brightening with sudden inspiration, "Freya would make an excellent ritual assistant for the full moon ceremony. She has a certain... purity about her that would complement the ceremonial aspects beautifully."

I risked a glance at Thorne then, only to find his golden wolf eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath catch. The Alpha in him was close to the surface, his jaw tight with some emotion I couldn't name.

"I—I'm just a servant trying on a robe," I reminded everyone, my voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't meant for me."

Selena circled me, adjusting the fall of fabric with expert hands. "The cut is perfect. The design accentuates her neckline beautifully. I think this should be the final choice for the binding ceremony, don't you agree, Alpha?"

Thorne rose from his seat, his movements deliberate and controlled. For a moment, I thought he might agree. Then his expression hardened, the gold fading from his eyes.

"No," he said coldly. "This isn't suitable. Show us something else."

Selena blinked in surprise. "But Alpha, surely you can see how exquisite—"

"I said," Thorne interrupted, his voice carrying the unmistakable command of an Alpha, "show us something else. This robe is not appropriate for my binding ceremony with Kaelin."