The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 129

Third POV

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Brooks estate, highlighting the ornate woodwork of the family sitting room where Kaelin Brooks sat rigidly on a velvet chair. Her posture was perfect—shoulders back, chin high—but her fingers betrayed her anxiety, tapping restlessly against her thigh.

Across from her, Edward Brooks paced the room, his Beta rank evident in his controlled movements. His voice, however, had risen beyond the careful modulation expected of his status.

"Who gave you permission to enter a design competition hosted by the Silverstone Pack?" Edward demanded, stopping abruptly to face his daughter. "Participating is one thing, but plagiarism? Have you lost your mind?"

Kaelin's eyes flashed with indignation. "Permission? I wasn't aware I needed anyone's approval to showcase my talents, Father." She stood, her own Beta blood responding to the challenge in her father's tone. "I participated to bring honor to our pack—to show that the Brooks bloodline produces more than just enforcers and council members."

Edward slammed his fist against a nearby table, causing a crystal vase to rattle precariously. "An anonymous account has publicly accused you of stealing another designer's work! Do you understand what this means for our family's reputation? For your position as Alpha Thorne's future mate?"

"A nameless, faceless account makes an accusation without substantial evidence, and you immediately assume I'm guilty?" Kaelin's voice rose, the hurt evident beneath her anger. "My own father believes some cowardly online troll over his daughter?"

Tears welled in Kaelin's eyes, and her breathing became uneven. Edward's expression softened slightly at the sight of his daughter's distress, but the disapproval remained etched in the lines of his face.

Olivia Brooks, who had been silently observing from the doorway, moved swiftly to her husband's side. She placed a restraining hand on his arm and pulled him several steps away from their daughter.

"Edward," she whispered urgently, "her moon phase syndrome is flaring again. Do you want the entire Moon Bay to know about her condition?" Her eyes darted meaningfully toward their daughter, whose hands had begun to tremble visibly. "She needs calm, not accusations."

Edward's jaw clenched, but he nodded curtly. With visible effort, he moderated his tone. "We'll discuss this later, when you've had time to consider the gravity of the situation." He turned and strode from the room, leaving Kaelin alone with her mother.

Olivia approached cautiously, reaching out to smooth her daughter's hair. "Take your medication, darling. Rest. This will all seem less overwhelming after you've calmed down."

Kaelin jerked away from her mother's touch. "I don't need to calm down. I need everyone to stop treating me like I'm broken."

After her mother left, Kaelin grabbed her tablet from the side table and retreated to the window seat in her bedroom. Her fingers swiped angrily across the screen as she pulled up the Moon Bay pack social networks. The hashtag #DesignTheft was still trending, but to her relief, most comments supported her.

[Kaelin Brooks is from one of our oldest Beta bloodlines. She wouldn't need to steal designs from anyone!]

[The anonymous poster is clearly jealous of Miss Brooks' success and connection to Alpha Grey.]

[Anyone questioning a Brooks is questioning Alpha Thorne's judgment in choosing her as his mate. Think about that before you comment.]

But as she scrolled further, she found pockets of doubt:

[The designs are remarkably similar to work showcased by Freya Riley at Grey Moon Academy three years ago, before her family's disgrace.]

[Has anyone noticed how the stitching pattern on the ceremonial collar is identical to Riley's senior showcase piece?]

[I'm not taking sides, but these similarities can't be coincidental. Either they collaborated or...]

Kaelin threw the tablet onto her bed with a growl of frustration. "That Riley bitch," she snarled to the empty room. "She's deliberately doing this. She's still in Grey Estate, refusing to leave, and now she's trying to ruin me with these accusations."

Her reflection in the vanity mirror caught her attention—her eyes had begun to shift, human irises giving way to the golden glow of her wolf. The moon phase syndrome was taking hold, emotions triggering physiological changes she couldn't fully control.

"You think you're clever, don't you, Riley?" she whispered, watching her own partial transformation with a mixture of fascination and horror. "You want revenge because Thorne chose me. Well, I won't let you take him from me."

Her phone rang, disrupting her spiral of anger. The screen displayed an unfamiliar number, but she answered anyway, desperate for distraction.

"Kaelin Brooks speaking," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady.

"Miss Brooks." The voice on the other end was deep, with the unmistakable authority of an Alpha. "Jasper Stone here. I believe we need to discuss the... unfortunate situation regarding the design competition."

Kaelin's grip tightened on the phone. "Alpha Stone. This is unexpected."

"I wanted to reach out personally," Jasper's voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. "This anonymous accusation is causing quite a stir. As the host of the competition, I feel responsible for protecting our participants' reputations."

"I appreciate your concern," Kaelin said cautiously, "but I assure you, the accusations are baseless."

"Of course they are," Jasper agreed smoothly. "But perception matters in our world. I think we should meet to discuss how to handle this situation. I may be able to help with your most pressing problem."

Kaelin hesitated, suspicion warring with desperation. "Why would you help me?"

"Let's just say I have a vested interest in maintaining good relations with Grey Moon Pack's future female Alpha," Jasper replied. "Besides, this anonymous poster is disrupting my competition. That affects my pack's reputation too."

After a moment's consideration, Kaelin nodded, though Jasper couldn't see her. "Fine. Are you in Moon Bay now? Let's meet in person. Somewhere private within Moon Bay, and just you—no entourage."

"I know just the place," Jasper replied, satisfaction evident in his voice.

---

The VIP lounge of Eclipse Bar in Moon Bay's Light District was intentionally designed for discretion—soundproofed walls, private entrance, and staff known for their silence. Kaelin had arrived precisely on time, dressed immaculately in a cream-colored suit that emphasized her Beta bloodline's elegant features.

Thirty minutes later, she was still waiting, her composure fraying with each passing minute.

When the door finally opened, Jasper Stone sauntered in with the casual confidence exclusive to Alphas. His dark suit was impeccably tailored, but his tie was slightly loosened—a calculated display of relaxed power.

"Sorry I'm late," he said with a smile that suggested he wasn't sorry at all. "Traffic was heavier than expected."

Kaelin bit back a sharp retort, reminding herself that alienating another Alpha wouldn't serve her purposes. "Thank you for making the time, Alpha Stone."

Jasper waved away her formality, settling into the plush chair across from her. "Call me Jasper. We're going to be solving a problem together, after all."

"About that," Kaelin leaned forward, abandoning any pretense of small talk. "This anonymous poster is causing significant trouble. As a Brooks and future mate to Alpha Grey, my reputation is beyond reproach. Yet somehow, I find myself defending against accusations of plagiarism."

Jasper nodded sympathetically. "It's outrageous. A Beta of your standing, accused by some nameless account."

"Exactly!" Kaelin exclaimed, relieved to find understanding. "I am the first-place winner in your competition. If my design is questioned, it reflects poorly on your judgment as well."

"Indeed it does," Jasper agreed, signaling a server for drinks. "And as a Brooks, stealing designs would be beneath you. Your family's bloodline is too proud for such tactics."

"Precisely." Kaelin straightened her shoulders. "So what do you suggest?"

Jasper accepted a glass of amber liquid from the server, taking a measured sip before answering. "I think you should address this head-on. Make a statement on the pack networks. Deny the accusations firmly but with dignity. Emphasize your credentials and bloodline."

"And what about the anonymous poster?"

"Let me worry about that," Jasper smiled, revealing just a hint of sharpened canines. "The Silverstone Pack officially supports you as our winner. I'll make that clear in my own statement."

Kaelin felt a weight lift from her shoulders. "That would be extremely helpful, Alpha—Jasper."

"After all," he continued, "this anonymous poster hasn't provided substantial evidence. Just some suggestive comparisons and insinuations. They can't prove anything."

"They can't," Kaelin agreed, relief flooding her system. She raised her own untouched glass. "To putting this unpleasantness behind us."

Jasper clinked his glass against hers. "To truth prevailing."