The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 122

Freya's POV

The kitchen was alive with activity as I helped prepare lunch, trying to focus on the simple task of arranging fruit on a serving platter. The normalcy of the work was soothing—a momentary distraction from the chaos of my thoughts and the lingering sensation of Thorne's touch on my skin.

Martha's absence left a void in the kitchen. Now the other staff members barely acknowledged me, except to give instructions or criticism.

"Those strawberries need to be sliced thinner," one of the kitchen Betas barked at me without looking up from the pasta sauce she was stirring.

I silently complied, focusing on the methodical movement of the knife. My wolf stirred within me, uncomfortable with the submissive position but understanding the necessity of it. We were survivors, after all.

Edith appeared in the doorway, her silver-streaked hair pulled back in its usual tight bun. "Is Alpha Thorne's lunch ready? He hasn't come down yet, nor has Miss Brooks. I should go inform them—"

"That won't be necessary," Lucy interrupted, suddenly materializing beside Edith. Her smile was saccharine sweet, but her eyes remained cold as she glanced at me. "Miss Brooks isn't feeling well since she has just drunk too much. I'll take their lunch upstairs."

Edith frowned. "That's not protocol. Alpha didn't say he wanted to bring lunch up—"

"I'm sure Alpha Thorne would prefer his guest isn't disturbed by staff he doesn't trust," Lucy cut in, her gaze sliding meaningfully toward me.

I kept my head down, focusing on the fruit, though my ears caught every word. My neck tingled where the moon-silver mark sat—a constant reminder of my status.

"Freya can take it up," Lucy suddenly announced.

My head snapped up. "What?"

Lucy's smile widened. "It would be a perfect opportunity for you to show Miss Kaelin that you can be useful and respectful. Maybe she'll put in a good word with Alpha Thorne."

I caught the malicious glint in Lucy's eyes. She wasn't offering me an opportunity—she was setting me up for another humiliation at Kaelin's hands.

"I'm not household staff," I replied quietly, placing another sliced strawberry on the platter. "I'm sure you'd be better suited—"

"Are you refusing to help?" Lucy challenged, her voice carrying just enough for the other kitchen staff to pause their work and watch. "After everything Alpha Thorne has done for you, allowing you to stay here instead of returning you to the Wilds?"

The kitchen fell silent. Every eye was on me, waiting to see if the disgraced Riley girl would openly defy an order. My wolf growled low in my mind, sensing the trap but seeing no way out.

"I'll take it," I finally said, wiping my hands on a towel. "The lunch tray is ready anyway."

Lucy's smile was triumphant as she stepped aside. "Good girl. They're in the blue guest room. Don't spill anything, and don't speak unless spoken to."

The other staff returned to their tasks, but I could feel their curious gazes following me as I carefully lifted the heavy silver tray. They were waiting for me to fail, to give them something to gossip about.

I made my way up the grand staircase, balancing the tray carefully. The hall seemed longer today, the walk to the blue guest room stretching endlessly before me. My pulse quickened as I approached, remembering how Thorne had guided Kaelin here, how he had commanded everyone to leave them alone.

The memory of our encounter in his bedroom flashed unbidden through my mind. His hands on my skin, his mouth against mine, the weight of him pressing me into the mattress... I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away. That was just a deal. It meant nothing to him; he'd made that clear by immediately returning to Kaelin.

As I reached the door, I hesitated. Should I knock? Walk away and leave the tray? Before I could decide, I heard voices from within—Kaelin's high, slightly whining tone and Thorne's deeper, controlled responses. I couldn't make out the words, but the tension was evident.

Taking a deep breath, I balanced the tray on one hand and knocked softly.

The voices stopped abruptly. After a moment, the door swung open, and Thorne stood there, his golden wolf-eyes momentarily visible before fading back to their human appearance. He was fully dressed in his usual impeccable suit, but his tie hung loose around his neck, and his hair was slightly mussed. The sight sent an unwelcome flutter through my stomach.

"Riley," he said, his voice neutral. "Enter."

I kept my eyes downcast as I stepped into the room, the submissive posture of a lower-ranked wolf. "I've brought lunch, Alpha."

"Set it there," he instructed, gesturing to a small table near the window.

I moved to obey, carefully placing the tray down. The room smelled of Kaelin's perfume and Thorne's distinctive Alpha scent, but there was something else—an undercurrent of tension and fatigue.

Kaelin was sitting up in bed, wrapped in a silk robe that complemented her pale complexion. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of me, but she said nothing as I arranged the place settings. I could feel her watching my every move, looking for any mistake she could pounce on.

As I straightened and turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of Thorne approaching Kaelin. He leaned down, saying something to her in a low voice. His back was to me, but I saw his hand rest briefly on her shoulder. Kaelin's eyes met mine over his shoulder, a flash of triumph in them as her lips curved into a smile.

The sight stung more than I wanted to admit. I quickly looked away and hurried toward the door, eager to escape the intimate scene. But as I reached for the handle, I heard Thorne's voice.

"Riley."

I froze, my hand on the doorknob. "Yes, Alpha?"

"Thank you."

Two simple words, yet they sounded strained. I nodded without turning around and left, closing the door quietly behind me. Only in the empty hallway did I allow myself to take a deep, shuddering breath, my wolf whimpering inside me.