The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 124

Freya’s POV

I had barely reached the bottom of the stairs when Lucy intercepted me, her eyes gleaming with malicious curiosity.

"How did it go? Did Miss Kaelin appreciate your service?"

I stepped around her, trying to maintain what little dignity I had left. "She didn't say anything. I left the tray and came back down."

Lucy kept pace with me as I walked toward the kitchen. "I'm surprised she didn't send you away immediately. She can't stand the sight of you, you know. Not after what you did to her."

"Miss Brooks needs her rest," I said neutrally, pushing through the kitchen door.

To my relief, Lucy didn't follow me inside. I busied myself with cleaning up from lunch preparation, focusing on the simple, repetitive tasks to quiet my mind. The kitchen staff largely ignored me, which suited me fine.

An hour passed in relative peace before I heard a commotion from upstairs. Raised voices, the sound of something crashing to the floor. I tensed, my wolf's ears perking up alertly despite my human form.

"What was that?" one of the kitchen Betas asked, pausing in her work.

Before anyone could answer, the kitchen door swung open, and Lucy rushed in, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Miss Kaelin is asking for someone to come clean up a mess in her room," she announced, her gaze landing on me. "Riley, you should go."

I set down the towel I'd been using to dry dishes. "Why me?"

"Because you're the one who brought up that wobbly tray in the first place," Lucy snapped. "Besides, Miss Brooks specifically asked for you."

I doubted that very much, but the other staff members were already looking at me expectantly. I sighed and picked up a cleaning cloth and a small bucket.

"Fine."

As I climbed the stairs again, dread pooled in my stomach. Whatever awaited me in that room, I was certain it wouldn't be pleasant. Still, I had survived three years in the Wilds with silver burning my veins—I could handle whatever petty cruelty Kaelin Brooks had planned.

I knocked softly on the door to the blue guest room.

"Enter," Kaelin called, her voice honey-sweet in a way that immediately set my nerves on edge.

I pushed open the door to find Kaelin standing by the window, her silk robe cinched tightly around her waist. The lunch tray was overturned on the floor, food splattered across the expensive carpet.

"Oh, there you are," Kaelin said, turning to face me. "I had a little accident with the tray. Clean it up, will you?"

I set my bucket down and knelt beside the mess, carefully picking up broken pieces of china. "I'll take care of it, Miss Brooks."

"Alpha Thorne left," she continued, as if I hadn't spoken. "Had important Alpha business to attend to. He's so dedicated to the pack, you know. It's one of the reasons I love him."

I didn't respond, focusing instead on sopping up spilled soup with the cloth. My wolf bristled at the territorial display, but I kept her firmly under control.

"Oh dear, did I make you uncomfortable?" Kaelin's voice dripped with false concern. "I suppose it must be difficult for you, knowing Thorne and I will be completing our binding ceremony soon. Especially after your... history with him."

I continued cleaning, determined not to rise to her bait.

"Though I suppose you've always had trouble letting go, haven't you, Riley?" Kaelin moved closer, her shadow falling over me. "I remember how you used to follow him around like a lovesick pup. So embarrassing."

My hands stilled momentarily, then resumed their work. I had nearly finished cleaning the mess when Kaelin's foot suddenly kicked the tray, sending the remaining food splattering across my shirt and face.

"Oops," she said with a laugh. "How clumsy of me."

I closed my eyes briefly, taking a deep breath to control the anger rising within me. Slowly, I reached for another cloth and began wiping the food from my face.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you, Riley," Kaelin continued, circling me like a predator. "Why are you still here? I gave you enough money to start over somewhere far away from Moon Bay."

"I told you to leave," Kaelin's voice hardened, all pretense of sweetness gone. "Why are you still here? Still in his house, in his space?"

"But Alpha Thorne has ordered me to stay," I said quietly, knowing it would infuriate her. "I can't leave without his permission."

Kaelin's eyes flashed with anger. "You've been stalling. Taking my money and making excuses."

"I'm not making excuses." I stood up, tired of kneeling at her feet. "You can ask Lucy or Edith—Alpha Thorne has forbidden me from leaving Grey Estate without his explicit permission."

"So you're saying you took my three hundred thousand and still intend to stay at Grey Estate indefinitely?" Kaelin's voice rose, her composure cracking.

I had to suppress a smile, finding it somewhat amusing that I'd managed to make her lose her carefully maintained control.

"Miss Brooks, I wasn't finished," I said, meeting her gaze directly. "Alpha Thorne has already agreed to let me leave. I told him I wanted to go, and he consented. It's just a matter of time now."

Kaelin studied me for a long moment, her expression calculating. "Did you tell Thorne I was the one who wanted you gone? Did you tell him about the money?"

I shook my head. "No. I told him I wanted to leave on my own. I didn't mention you."

"Good," she said, relaxing slightly. "You may be pathetic, but at least you're not stupid."

I gritted my teeth, swallowing the retort that threatened to escape. My wolf growled within me, urging me to stand up to this Beta who treated us with such contempt. But the rational part of me knew better than to antagonize Kaelin further.

"I estimate Thorne will let you leave before our binding ceremony," Kaelin continued, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "He'll want you gone before I officially become his mate. Until then, keep your head down and stay out of my way."

"And if I don't?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Kaelin's smile was chilling. "Don't test me, Riley. I've already taken everything from you once. I can do it again."

The threat hung in the air between us. My wolf snarled at the challenge, but I forced myself to remain calm. Kaelin had the upper hand here—she was Thorne's chosen mate, a respected Beta from a powerful family. I was just a disgraced former Beta with a silver mark on my neck.

"I understand," I said finally, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Is there anything else you need, Miss Brooks?"

She waved a dismissive hand. "Just clean up this mess and get out. I can't stand your scent."

I finished cleaning as quickly as possible, gathering the soiled cloths and broken china into my bucket. As I reached the door, Kaelin called out one last barb.

"Oh, and Riley? I wouldn't bother trying to tell Thorne about our little chat. He never believes you over me. He never has."