The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 117

Freya's POV

After dressing in simple clothes—jeans and a faded blue sweater that had seen better days—I made my way downstairs. The morning routine of Grey Estate was in full swing, with Beta staff bustling about their duties. A few glanced my way but quickly averted their eyes when I looked back. I had grown somewhat accustomed to being both invisible and hyper-visible in this house—ignored as a person but watched as a potential threat.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Edith appeared from the direction of the dining room, her posture rigid as always, her hair pulled back in a severe bun.

"Miss Riley," she said, her tone making my name sound like an unwelcome stain on the pristine Grey Estate. "Alpha Thorne requires his breakfast to be brought to his study. You will take it to him."

It wasn't a request. I bit back the urge to remind her that I wasn't household staff, settling instead for a neutral, "Of course."

Edith's lips thinned with what might have been satisfaction. "The tray is prepared in the kitchen. Do not keep Alpha waiting."

I nodded and made my way to the kitchen, where a silver tray sat ready on the counter. The breakfast was elaborate—moonlight berries arranged around a rare steak, still pink and glistening in the center, alongside a carafe of strong black coffee. An Alpha's breakfast, rich in proteins and stimulants to fuel his superior metabolism and strength.

I lifted the tray carefully, balancing its weight against my hip as I navigated back through the house toward Thorne's study on the second floor. The scent of the food made my own stomach rumble—my Omega rations were significantly less luxurious.

As I climbed the stairs, I felt the moon-silver mark on my neck begin to tingle, a response to my proximity to the Alpha who had placed it there. My wolf, usually so quiet these days, stirred uneasily. She remembered too well the mixture of fear and longing Thorne had always inspired in us.

The hallway leading to his study was lined with portraits of previous Grey Alphas, their stern faces watching my approach with painted eyes that seemed to follow my movement. I stopped outside the heavy oak door, shifting the tray to free one hand so I could knock.

But before my knuckles could touch the wood, I heard voices from within—Thorne and Mark, discussing something in low, serious tones. I hesitated, my wolf's ears instinctively perking to catch the words.

"...just make whatever changes she wants," Thorne was saying, his voice carrying a note of impatience. "If Kaelin doesn't like the ceremonial robe, have Selena design another."

"Yes, Alpha," Mark replied. "And regarding the venue?"

"Let her choose wherever she wants in Moon Bay for the binding ceremony," Thorne said dismissively. "The Grand Lunar, Moon Crescent Garden, I don't care. Just finalize it so the council can make arrangements."

My heart sank a little further with each word. The binding ceremony—when Thorne would officially take Kaelin as his mate before the entire pack. It was really happening.

I stood frozen, the breakfast tray suddenly feeling much heavier in my hands. The reality of my situation crashed over me like a cold wave. If Thorne had no intention of letting me leave Grey Estate, then after his binding ceremony, I would be living under the same roof as his mate—a mate who had already made it clear she wanted me gone, or worse.

If Kaelin becomes Luna of Grey Moon Pack, she'll find a way to destroy me completely.

The thought sent a chill down my spine, and my wolf whimpered in agreement. I had survived the Wilds, but could I survive Kaelin's wrath once she had the full authority of Luna behind her?

I almost laughed at the bitter irony. Maybe Thorne wasn't keeping me here out of some misguided sense of justice or surveillance. Maybe he was keeping me here so Kaelin could have the satisfaction of destroying me herself.

Lost in these dark thoughts, I didn't notice the sudden silence from within the study, nor the approaching footsteps. The door swung open, and I found myself face to face with Mark, whose expression shifted from purposeful to surprised.

"Miss Riley..." Mark's voice trailed off as his eyes took in the breakfast tray in my hands and what must have been a guilty expression on my face. I could feel my ears instinctively flattening against my head—a submissive gesture I hated but couldn't control.

"I—I just came up. Edith asked me to bring Alpha his breakfast," I stammered, lifting the tray slightly as if the evidence of moonlight berries, a rare steak, and black coffee would somehow make my lie more convincing.

Mark's nostrils flared slightly as he scented the air around me, his Beta senses searching for deception. "Did you hear anything?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

I kept my gaze down, focusing on the silver tray in my hands. "No, I just arrived." The lie felt hollow in my mouth, but I forced my heartbeat to remain steady, knowing werewolves could detect fear through scent.

Mark looked skeptical but stepped aside. "Alpha, Miss Riley is here with your breakfast," he announced, then turned back to me. "I'll return later to discuss the council matters, Alpha."

I remained frozen in the doorway as Mark walked past me, his footsteps fading down the corridor. Through the open door, I could see Thorne sitting behind his massive desk, papers spread before him. He didn't look up immediately, but I felt the weight of his presence like a physical force pressing against my skin.

When he finally raised his head, his eyes flashed with a golden glow—his wolf rising to the surface. "Still not coming in?" His voice was deceptively calm, almost conversational, but the predator's gleam in his eyes told a different story.

I swallowed hard and stepped into the room, the door swinging shut behind me with a soft click that somehow sounded like a prison gate locking. I approached his desk, setting down the breakfast tray with hands that I forced not to tremble.

"Will there be anything else, Alpha?" I asked, already backing away, desperate to escape the intensity of his gaze.

"Stay." Just one word, but it carried the full weight of an Alpha command, freezing me in place. "Sit," he added, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

I sank into the leather chair, my spine rigid, hands clasped tightly in my lap. Thorne began to eat, cutting into the steak with precise movements, the blade gliding through the pink flesh. Each bite was methodical, unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world. The silence stretched between us, making every second feel like an eternity.

I watched him eat, unable to look away, feeling like a rabbit hypnotized by a predator.

Finally, he set down his cutlery and fixed me with that golden stare. "You heard everything, didn't you?"