The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 135

Freya's POV

I sat on the edge of my narrow bed, the morning light filtering through the small attic window, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air. Downstairs, Grey Estate was already humming with activity—servants preparing breakfast, guards changing shifts, the daily machinery of an Alpha's household grinding into motion.

I had barely slept. My mind kept circling back to the designs, to Kaelin, to the mess that seemed to follow me no matter how hard I tried to keep my head down.

A sharp knock at my door startled me from my thoughts.

"Coming," I called, quickly pulling on a faded sweater over my nightshirt.

Lucy stood in the hallway, her Beta-brown eyes gleaming with a satisfaction that immediately put me on edge. "You need to come downstairs," she said, not bothering with a greeting. "Everyone's talking about it."

"About what?" I asked warily.

Her smile widened. "Grey Moon Pack's official statement about Miss Brooks and the design competition. It's all over the pack forums."

My stomach dropped. "What statement?"

"Come see for yourself." She turned and headed for the stairs, clearly expecting me to follow.

I did, reluctantly, padding after her in bare feet. The main floor was bustling with activity, several staff members clustered around a tablet in the informal dining area.

"See?" Lucy gestured toward them. "Everyone's reading it."

I approached cautiously. Thomas looked up as I neared. His expression was a mixture of pity and discomfort.

"Morning, Freya," he said, the only one who bothered to acknowledge me. "Have you seen this?"

He turned the tablet so I could see the screen. The Grey Moon Pack's official social media page displayed a formal statement:

[In response to recent allegations regarding Miss Kaelin Brooks and her participation in the Silverstone Design Challenge, Grey Moon Pack wishes to clarify that Miss Brooks will not be participating in any follow-up competition. These anonymous accusations have caused significant distress to Miss Brooks, resulting in a severe health episode related to her moon phase syndrome.

Grey Moon Pack stands firmly with Miss Brooks and questions the motives behind these anonymous posts, which appear designed to create discord between packs rather than seek genuine resolution. We suggest that if the anonymous designer truly believes their work was stolen, they should reveal their identity and pursue proper channels rather than hiding behind untraceable accounts.

We consider this matter closed and will not be engaging further with what appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine inter-pack relations in advance of the upcoming council meeting.]

The words blurred before my eyes. Once again, Thorne had chosen to stand with Kaelin, to believe her lies, to dismiss the truth as manipulation.

"Not surprising, is it?" Lucy's voice was honey-sweet with malice. "Alpha Thorne knows loyalty. He knows who truly belongs to Grey Moon Pack and who's just passing through." She leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper meant only for me. "Face it, Riley. You'll never be one of us again. You'll always be the disgraced outcast who tried to hurt his mate."

My wolf snarled inside me, but I kept my expression neutral. "Thank you for showing me, Lucy. Is there anything else?"

Her smile faltered slightly at my calm response. She'd clearly been hoping for a more visible reaction. "Just thought you should know where you stand. With Alpha Thorne returning today, you might want to remember your place."

She walked away, leaving me standing there, the statement still glowing on the tablet screen.

Thomas glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then whispered, "Some of us don't believe it, you know. About the designs. I saw your sketches when you were working in the garden. The style is unmistakable."

I gave him a tight smile. "Thank you, Thomas. But it doesn't matter what anyone believes. The Alpha has spoken."

I turned and walked back upstairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. In my room, I closed the door and leaned against it, finally allowing myself to feel the full weight of what had happened.

Thorne had made his choice. Again. He'd chosen Kaelin over truth, over justice—over me. I'd been a fool to think anything had changed, that our night together had meant anything to him beyond momentary satisfaction.

My hands trembled as I pulled my old backpack from under the bed. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. I began gathering my few belongings.

My phone buzzed with an incoming call. Jasper Stone's name flashed on the screen.

I hesitated, then answered. "I can't talk right now."

"You've seen the statement," Jasper said, not bothering with pleasantries. "Grey's official position defending their little thief."

"I've seen it."

"Then you know why I'm calling. The special challenge is still on, Freya. With or without Kaelin Brooks's participation."

I sighed, sitting heavily on the edge of the bed. "I'm not interested anymore, Jasper."

"What? But this is your chance to prove—"

"I don't want to prove anything," I interrupted. "I don't want to be part of your game with Thorne."

A pause. "My game?" His voice had cooled.

"Don't pretend. You knew Kaelin would be entering that competition, didn't you? You knew who she was, what she meant to Thorne. You used me as a weapon against Grey Moon Pack."

Another pause, longer this time. Then a low chuckle. "You're sharper than I gave you credit for, Freya Riley."

"So it's true."

"Partly," he admitted. "Yes, I knew Brooks would be entering. And yes, I recognized an opportunity when I saw your designs. But that doesn't change the fact that your work is superior, or that she stole from you."

I closed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. "It doesn't matter. None of it matters."

"It matters to me," Jasper said, his voice dropping lower. "And it should matter to you. Don't let them win, Freya. Don't let them take this from you too."

"They've already taken everything," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

"Not everything. Not your talent. Not your pride."

I laughed bitterly. "Pride? I'm a marked Beta living on the charity of the Alpha who exiled me."

"You're more than that, and you know it." His voice grew serious. "Freya, I won't pretend I didn't see strategic value in this situation. I'm an Alpha; it's in my nature to seek advantage. But that doesn't mean I don't genuinely admire your work or believe you deserve justice."

I wanted to believe him. Part of me did. But I'd been used and betrayed too many times to trust easily.

"I have to go," I said finally.

"Think about the challenge, Freya. The offer still stands."

"Goodbye, Jasper."

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. My gaze fell on the backpack. If I was going to leave, it had to be now, before Thorne returned. Before I lost my nerve. Before I convinced myself there was any reason to stay.