The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 134

Thorne's POV

The private jet cut through the night sky, engines humming with a steady rhythm that usually calmed me. Not tonight. My thoughts were as turbulent as the occasional pocket of air that jostled the aircraft.

I stared out the window at the endless black, broken only by scattered pinpricks of light far below—small towns passing beneath us like constellations as we flew toward Northern Pack territory. The meeting with their Alpha wasn't scheduled until tomorrow afternoon, giving me time to rest and prepare after we landed. Not that I expected much sleep tonight.

My phone vibrated in my hand. I glanced at the screen, suppressing a sigh when I saw the caller ID: Alexander Grey.

"Father," I answered, keeping my voice neutral.

"Thorne." His voice, even through the phone, carried the unmistakable weight of an Alpha who had ruled for three decades before passing the mantle to his son. "I trust your flight is proceeding without issue?"

"We should be landing in about thirty minutes. The meeting with their Alpha isn't until tomorrow afternoon."

"Good. Make sure you emphasize our territorial concessions are conditional on their full support." A pause. "But that's not why I'm calling."

Of course it wasn't. My father rarely called simply to check on my travel arrangements.

"I've heard about the situation with Kaelin Brooks." His tone shifted, more careful now. "Edward came to see me."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Of course Edward had gone to my father. The Brooks family was nothing if not thorough in their political maneuvering.

"Did he?" I kept my voice even. "And what did Edward have to say?"

"He's concerned about your handling of the design controversy. Says you've been... less than supportive of your future mate during her time of need."

I looked out the window again, watching clouds pass beneath us, illuminated by the moon. "Kaelin's moon phase syndrome has flared up. She's in the hospital, and I've seen to it that she has the best care."

"That's not what I mean, and you know it." My father's voice hardened. "Edward says you suggested Kaelin participate in Stone's challenge rather than defending her publicly."

"I suggested the most direct path to clearing her name."

"By essentially questioning whether she stole those designs?" My father's disapproval was palpable. "Thorne, she is your chosen mate. The future mother of Grey heirs. The pack expects you to stand by her."

"The pack expects justice from their Alpha," I countered. "Even when it's uncomfortable."

"Justice?" He gave a short, harsh laugh. "This isn't a court case, son. This is pack politics. The Brooks family has been loyal to us for generations. Edward himself has served as your enforcement chief for years."

I remained silent, unwilling to argue a point I knew he wouldn't concede.

"Have you considered," he continued, his voice lowering, "that your... reluctance might have something to do with the Riley girl?"

My grip tightened on the phone. "This has nothing to do with Freya."

"Doesn't it? Since her return, you've made several decisions that seem to favor her. First keeping her at Grey Estate rather than returning her to the Wilds, then allowing her to work with Selena Price, and now this—refusing to stand by Kaelin when she's clearly being targeted."

"I refuse to make public statements without evidence," I said firmly. "This situation with Kaelin—I've already had to intervene to suppress media speculation about her participation in the competition and its potential reflection on Grey pack. I can't now wade into the middle of accusations without facts."

"Facts?" My father's voice grew sharper. "The fact is, Kaelin Brooks is your intended mate. The fact is, her moon phase syndrome has been triggered by this controversy to the point where she's harming herself."

I bit back a retort. "I just came from the hospital and I had already told her the best way to solve the problem."

My father sighed heavily. "Thorne, you're an Alpha. Your responsibilities extend beyond justice. They include loyalty to those who serve your pack. The Brooks family deserves better than this wavering commitment."

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of expectation pressing down on me. "I'm not wavering in my commitment to our alliance with the Brooks family."

"Then why not denounce these accusations publicly? Stand by your mate."

"Because if the accusations prove true, I would look like a fool." The words came out before I could stop them.

A long silence followed.

"So you believe she stole the designs," my father finally said, his voice unnaturally calm.

"I believe there are questions that need answering before I stake the credibility of the Grey pack on this matter."

Another pause. "Have you considered the source of these accusations, Thorne? This anonymous account... the timing of it all... it reeks of Stone's manipulation."

"I'm aware Jasper Stone might be behind this."

"Not just Stone." My father's voice lowered further. "The Riley girl."

I stiffened. "What are you suggesting?"

"I'm not suggesting anything. I'm telling you what my sources have observed. The Riley girl has been in contact with Stone. They've been seen together, talking privately."

My wolf stirred violently at this information, a possessive growl building in my chest that I barely managed to suppress.

"That's not proof of collusion," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.

"No? Then perhaps this will convince you."

My phone buzzed with an incoming message. I pulled it away from my ear to look at the screen. My father had sent a photograph.

The image showed Freya and Jasper Stone sitting across from each other at a small table in what appeared to be a quiet café. They weren't physically close, but there was an unmistakable comfort in their body language. Stone was leaning forward slightly, clearly engaged in whatever they were discussing. And Freya—she was smiling. Actually smiling. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, her posture relaxed in a way I hadn't seen since her return. Two coffee cups sat between them, suggesting this wasn't just a chance encounter but a planned meeting.

Something hot and primitive clawed at my insides despite the innocuous setting. The ease between them, the open expression on her face that she never showed at Grey Estate—it sparked a territorial rage that no reasonable distance between them could diminish.

"Where did you get this?" I demanded, my voice rougher than I intended.

"Does it matter? What matters is that while you've been protecting her, she's been conspiring with your rival."

"This doesn't prove anything," I said, even as my wolf snarled in disagreement.

"It proves enough," my father replied coldly. "Stone is using her to get to you, to undermine your authority and your upcoming binding with Kaelin. And she's allowing it."

I stared at the photograph, at the way Stone and Freya seemed comfortable together, at the ease in her expression that I rarely saw. My eyes flashed gold, reflecting in the darkened window of the jet.

"Think carefully about where your priorities lie, son," my father continued. "The binding ceremony with Kaelin is in less than a month. The pack is watching. The council is watching."

"I am aware of my responsibilities," I said stiffly.

The call ended before I could say more. I sat motionless, staring at the photograph still displayed on my screen.

My wolf paced restlessly within me, bristling with territorial fury at the sight of another Alpha with Freya. Despite everything, despite knowing she had been in contact with Stone, despite suspecting her involvement in the design controversy, my most basic instinct was to claim and protect what I considered mine.

And that realization only made me angrier.

"Alpha?" Mark's voice came from the cabin doorway. "We'll be landing in thirty minutes."

I looked up, aware that my eyes were still glowing with Alpha gold. Mark carefully averted his gaze.

"Change of plans," I said, my voice hard with decision. "Contact the northern pack. Tell them we need to move tomorrow's meeting to early morning instead of afternoon."

"Yes, Alpha. And shall I arrange accommodations for a longer stay?"

"No. Schedule our return flight for immediately after the meeting. I need to be back in Moon Bay by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

Mark nodded, understanding the urgency in my tone. "I'll make the arrangements immediately."