The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 121

Thorne’s POV

I stood in the waiting area of Price Designs, watching as Mark accompanied Kaelin toward the fitting rooms. I had promised to join them after my council meeting concluded, but truthfully, I would have preferred to continue with my paperwork. These occasions always made me uncomfortable—too many expectations, too many emotions, too much complexity.

Selena Price, an elegant Beta, greeted us with sparkling enthusiasm. "Alpha Grey, a pleasure to see you. Miss Brooks is trying on the ceremonial robes for your binding ceremony."

I nodded in acknowledgment before settling into a leather chair, trying to mask my impatience. Yesterday's encounter with Freya still lingered in my mind, her scent seemingly embedded in my skin. I needed to focus on my present responsibility—the binding ceremony with Kaelin, a choice made for the good of my pack and family.

Soon, Kaelin emerged from the fitting room wearing an intricate silver-white robe. Pride lit her face, but as she turned toward the mirror, I noticed her expression suddenly harden.

"This isn't what I wanted," she said, clear displeasure in her voice. "I told you, Selena, I don't like this silver-backed style."

Selena looked surprised. "But this was the design you selected last time, Miss Brooks. We made adjustments according to your specifications."

Kaelin's nostrils flared slightly, and I realized she was scenting the air. She turned sharply, her gaze landing on another robe hanging on the wall—the one Freya had tried on.

"What is that?" Kaelin asked sharply. "Who wore that?"

Selena hesitated. "That's a sample another client tried on, Miss Brooks. We have multiple customers—"

But Kaelin had already moved toward the robe, her fingers touching the fabric, her expression growing darker. I saw her eyes flash with the golden glow of wolf-sight—a symptom of her moon phase syndrome beginning to manifest.

"Her scent," Kaelin said softly, almost a growl. "I recognize this scent."

Mark glanced at me nervously, and I gave him a subtle nod, indicating he should be ready for any situation.

"Kaelin," I said calmly, "focus on your own ceremonial robe. There are other styles to try."

She turned to me, the golden glow in her eyes more pronounced. "This is her scent, Thorne. That Riley girl. Why would she be here trying on my wedding robe?"

I could feel her emotions teetering on the edge of control. Moon phase syndrome worsened as the full moon approached, making her more emotionally volatile.

"We'll come back another day," I decided. "Mark, take Miss Brooks back to the car. I'll settle the bill."

Kaelin didn't return to the car. Instead, she rushed out of the boutique and strode rapidly down the street of the Moon Light District. Mark followed closely, and I could only apologize to Selena before pursuing them.

---

I found them at an upscale bar in the district. Kaelin was already seated at the counter with an amber liquid before her. Mark stood behind her, looking anxious.

"Alpha," he said quietly, "she refused to return to the car and insisted on having a drink. I'm not sure that's wise given her emotional state."

I approached Kaelin and took the seat beside her. "Enough, Kaelin," I said, my voice low but filled with Alpha authority. "You know you shouldn't drink when experiencing moon phase symptoms."

She didn't look at me, staring instead at the liquid in her glass. "How could you do this to me?" Her voice was almost a whisper. "You agreed to complete the binding ceremony with me, so why would you let her try on my wedding robe?"

I released calming Alpha pheromones, an instinctive response to soothe a pack member. "No one is replacing you, Kaelin," I explained. "Selena wanted to show different styles, and you were unable to attend due to your injury."

"Thorne," she lifted her head, golden glow mixing with tears in her eyes, "it was her people who hurt me. That Beta called Martha who pushed me."

"Kaelin, are you questioning my decisions?" My voice carried a warning. "Yes, Martha pushed you, but I've already expelled her from Grey Estate. This has nothing to do with Riley."

Kaelin sensed my displeasure and knew pushing the issue would only anger me further. Her posture became slightly submissive, the golden glow in her eyes gradually receding. "I just want everything to be perfect," she said softly. "For our ceremony."

I sighed, relaxing my stance. "I know," I replied. "Now, we should get back. You need to rest."

"No," Kaelin suddenly said, her voice regaining some strength. "I want to have dinner at Grey Estate. I haven't been there for days, and I miss it."

I hesitated. Bringing Kaelin back to Grey Estate meant she might encounter Freya, which, considering today's events, didn't seem wise. But Kaelin had already stood up, looking at me expectantly.

"Please, Thorne," she said, with an emotion in her voice I couldn't quite decipher. "I need to feel the essence of home. Our home."

I finally nodded in agreement, though unease filled me. As Kaelin took my arm and we walked toward the car, I noticed the slight upward curve of her lips, a flash of satisfaction in her eyes.

I guided Kaelin through the front door of Grey Estate, her body leaning heavily against mine. The alcohol had made her steps unsteady, and I found myself supporting more of her weight than I had anticipated. As we entered the main living room, my senses immediately picked up on Freya's scent—fresh pine and winter berries—before I even saw her.

She was arranging tea cups on the silver tray, her movements precise and careful. When she looked up and our eyes met, a flush spread across her cheeks before she quickly averted her gaze. The memory of her beneath me, her body responding to my touch, flashed through my mind with unexpected intensity. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, recognizing her as ours in a way that was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

"Riley," I said, keeping my voice level despite the chaos of emotions threatening to surface, "have Edith prepare the blue guest room."

She nodded without meeting my eyes. "Yes, Alpha."

I felt Kaelin stiffen against me, her wolf-gold eyes narrowing as she stared at Freya. "What is she doing here?" she demanded, her words slightly slurred from the drinks.

"Not now, Kaelin," I murmured, tightening my grip on her waist as she swayed. I needed to get her upstairs before this situation escalated.

As Freya slipped past us to find Edith, I caught her scent mingled with my own—a mark of our encounter that even the most thorough bathing couldn't completely erase. My wolf rumbled with satisfaction at this evidence of our claim, but I pushed the feeling down. I had made a commitment to Kaelin, a decision based on years of planning and pack politics. One moment of passion couldn't—shouldn't—change that.

I guided Kaelin up the grand staircase, aware of the curious eyes of the staff watching us. When Freya returned with Edith, I made my position clear to everyone present.

"No one is to disturb Miss Brooks while she rests," I commanded, allowing my Alpha authority to resonate through my voice. "Is that understood?"

The staff murmured their agreement, heads lowering in submission. Freya stood at the bottom of the stairs, her face carefully neutral, but I could smell the conflict in her scent—a mixture of confusion, resignation, and something deeper that my wolf recognized as desire.

Once we reached the blue guest room, I helped Kaelin onto the bed. She clutched at my sleeve as I turned to leave.

"I can smell her, Thorne," she said, her voice carrying a note of disgust that seemed exaggerated for my benefit. "That scent makes me sick." Her fingers tightened around my wrist. "Don't leave me, Thorne."

"Rest, Kaelin," I said, gently but firmly removing her hand from my wrist. "We'll talk in the morning when you're feeling better."

Her expression hardened momentarily before softening into vulnerability. "Just until I fall asleep," she pleaded. "Please, Thorne."