The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 138

Freya’s POV

My throat went dry. Here it was—the moment of truth. Or rather, the moment I was expected to deny the truth.

"Kaelin," I began, my voice steadier than I felt. "I..."

Kaelin turned her tearful gaze to me. "Was it you?" she asked softly. "Did you create that anonymous account to hurt me?"

I met her eyes directly. "No. I didn't."

"You expect us to believe that?" Olivia scoffed.

"It's the truth," I said firmly. "I had nothing to do with the anonymous account. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to investigate as thoroughly as you want."

Kaelin studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Our designs were just... similar, that's all. A coincidence. It happens in the fashion world."

The brazen lie nearly took my breath away. Similar? They weren't similar—they were identical, because she had stolen them directly from my sketchbook.

I forced myself to respond calmly. "Yes. A coincidence."

The word tasted like ash in my mouth.

"Then we can put this behind us," Kaelin said, a hint of her usual confidence returning. "It was all just a misunderstanding."

I nodded stiffly, unable to trust myself to speak further. My wolf was howling with outrage inside me, demanding that I defend our work, our talent, our truth. But what good would it do? Thorne had already made his choice. The pack statement had been issued. I was just a marked Beta, and Kaelin was the future Luna.

"Actually," Edward Brooks spoke up, his voice cutting through the momentary silence, "I think we need more than just a private acknowledgment of this... misunderstanding."

I tensed, sensing what was coming.

"The damage has spread beyond this room," Edward continued, looking at Thorne rather than me. "The rumors are all over social media. Both packs are talking. Kaelin's reputation has been publicly questioned."

"What are you suggesting?" Thorne asked, though I suspected he already knew.

"A public statement," Olivia jumped in eagerly. "From her." She pointed at me, her lips curling with distaste. "Acknowledging that there was no theft, that the designs were coincidentally similar, and that she regrets any misunderstanding."

My heart pounded against my ribs. "No."

The word fell into the room like a stone, and all eyes turned to me again.

"No?" Edward repeated, baring his teeth slightly. The gesture reminded me of our last encounter, three years ago in the Moon Crescent Court, when he had testified against my family with the same barely contained aggression.

"I've come here as Alpha Thorne requested," I said, keeping my voice level. "I've clarified that I had nothing to do with the anonymous account. I've agreed that this was all a misunderstanding. But I won't make a public statement."

"Why not?" Olivia demanded. "If you truly believe what you've just said, why wouldn't you want to set the record straight?"

I met her hostile gaze. "Because no one would believe a statement from me. I'm an exile, an outcast. My words carry no weight. Unless..." I glanced at Kaelin, unable to keep the edge from my voice, "you want me to publicly claim that I copied your designs, rather than the other way around."

A flash of guilt crossed Kaelin's face, quickly replaced by indignation. But it was enough—I knew I'd hit the mark.

"That's not what we're asking," Edward said, though his eyes betrayed him.

"Isn't it?" I countered. "Because anything else would be pointless. If I say the designs are coincidentally similar, who would believe me over Kaelin? If I say I had nothing to do with the anonymous account, who would take my word over yours?"

The room fell silent as the Brooks family exchanged glances, caught in their own trap. They couldn't admit what they really wanted—for me to take the blame—without exposing their true intentions.

"I've done what was asked of me," I said, turning to Thorne. "I came here. I spoke to Kaelin. I acknowledged that this was all a misunderstanding. But I won't be used as a scapegoat to bolster Kaelin's reputation at the expense of my own."

Thorne's expression was unreadable, but I thought I detected a flicker of respect in his eyes. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking.

"I think we've accomplished what we came here to do," he said finally. "Kaelin, you should rest. The pack statement makes it clear that we support you, and that's what matters."

Kaelin's face fell slightly. "You're leaving already?"

"I need to get Freya back to the estate," Thorne replied. "And you need to focus on recovery, not social media drama."

"Actually," I said, seizing the opportunity, "I can make my own way back. There's no need for you to cut your visit short on my account."

Kaelin brightened at this suggestion. "Yes, Thorne, please stay. Your presence... it calms me. The doctors say having an Alpha's aura nearby helps stabilize my condition."

Edward nodded eagerly. "Dr. Maloy specifically mentioned that your presence would be beneficial, Alpha. The pack bond between you and Kaelin can help regulate her shifting difficulties."

I watched as Thorne's expression shifted, his sense of duty warring with other, less definable emotions. I knew he would stay—his responsibility to his future mate would outweigh any other consideration.

"Very well," he said after a moment. "I'll stay a while longer."

I felt a strange mixture of relief and disappointment. Relief that I wouldn't have to endure another silent, tense car ride with him; disappointment that he had, once again, chosen Kaelin over truth.

"I'll head back to the estate, then," I said, moving toward the door. "I hope you feel better soon, Kaelin."

The words were hollow, but necessary for the performance we were all participating in.

Kaelin smiled weakly. "Thank you for coming, Freya. I'm glad we could clear this up."

I nodded and slipped out of the room without another word, closing the door softly behind me. In the corridor, I leaned against the wall for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. The encounter had been every bit as difficult as I'd expected, but at least it was over.

Now I just needed to get back to Grey Estate, finish packing my meager belongings, and find a way to leave before Thorne returned. After this charade, I couldn't bear to spend another night under his roof, pretending that everything was fine while my work was stolen and my reputation destroyed.

I walked quickly through the hospital corridors, keeping my head down to avoid eye contact with the staff and visitors. The sooner I got out of here, the better.

As I reached the main lobby, I was mentally calculating how long it would take to walk back to the estate when a loud voice cut through the quiet murmur of the hospital.

"You! You're Freya Riley!"

I froze, my blood turning to ice. Slowly, I turned to face the speaker—a burly Beta male with a shaved head and hostile eyes. He sniffed the air dramatically, making a show of identifying my scent.

"It is you," he growled, loud enough for everyone in the lobby to hear. "The disgraced Riley. The traitor who got herself exiled."