The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 141

Freya’s POV

Jasper was brewing, seemingly considering how to speak up. We drove in silence for a minute, and I noticed we were heading away from the city center. Away from Grey Estate.

"The design competition isn't completely dead, you know," Jasper said, breaking the silence. "Kaelin's 'illness' is convenient, but the fact remains—she stole your work."

I leaned my head against the cool window. "Her moon phase syndrome is real. I saw her at the hospital. She couldn't even hold a pencil without trembling."

"Oh, I believe she has the syndrome," Jasper conceded. "But I also believe she's using it to her advantage. Getting 'sick' right when she's challenged to prove her design skills? The timing is remarkably fortunate."

I couldn't argue with his logic. "It doesn't matter. Thorne has made his choice."

"He always chooses her, doesn't he?" Jasper's voice was soft, almost sympathetic. "Even when the evidence is staring him in the face. Even when it's your work hanging in that display, with her name attached to it."

I felt a hollow ache in my chest. "That's who he is. That's who he's always been."

"And yet you loved him once."

The statement hung in the air between us. I didn't answer. What could I say? That part of me—the foolish, hopeful part—still cared for Thorne despite everything he'd done? Despite the exile, the silver mark, the continual choice of Kaelin over truth?

"You're planning to leave Grey Estate, aren't you?" Jasper asked, changing the subject.

I looked at him sharply. "How did you know?"

His lips quirked in a half-smile. "Because it's what any wolf with sense would do in your position. Kaelin won't want you there during the binding ceremony preparations. Thorne has shown where his priorities lie. And now you have wolves following you in the streets."

"Yes," I admitted. "I was planning to leave tonight. My things are packed."

Jasper nodded, looking satisfied. "Good. Then I won't be taking you back there."

Alarm flared through me. "Where exactly are you taking me, Jasper?"

"Somewhere safe. Somewhere Thorne Grey won't find you until I've had time to arrange proper protection for your journey." His voice was matter-of-fact, as though this were the most reasonable thing in the world.

My wolf growled internally, not liking the presumption. "I can take care of myself."

"Against one wolf? Probably. Against a coordinated effort by the Brooks family to silence you before you can cause more problems? That's a different matter." Jasper glanced at me. "You need allies, Freya. And right now, I'm the only one offering."

As much as I hated to admit it, he had a point. I had no pack, no family that I knew of, and precious few resources. If Edward Brooks decided I was a threat to his daughter's future as Luna...

"Fine," I conceded reluctantly. "One night. Then I leave Moon Bay altogether."

Jasper didn't argue, which was something I appreciated about him. For an Alpha, he seemed remarkably willing to respect boundaries.

We drove for another twenty minutes, leaving the city proper and winding up into the forested hills that formed the border between Grey Moon and Silverstone territories. Eventually, we turned onto a private drive that led to a modern house perched on the edge of a ridge, its windows glowing with warm light.

"Welcome to Eagle's Perch," Jasper said as we pulled up to the house. "One of Silverstone Pack's safe houses. Off the books, untraceable to me or the pack."

I raised an eyebrow. "You have safe houses just... ready to go?"

He smiled, a flash of teeth in the darkness. "I'm an Alpha with powerful neighbors. Prudence is a virtue in my position."

A Beta woman in her sixties met us at the door, her silver-streaked hair pulled back in a practical bun. Her scent was familiar somehow, though I couldn't place it.

"Alpha Stone," she greeted Jasper with a respectful nod, then turned to me with a warmer smile. "And this must be Miss Riley. I've prepared the east guest room for you."

"Thank you, Karen," Jasper replied. "Miss Riley will be staying with us tonight. Karen, she has a minor head wound that could use some attention."

Karen nodded, her experienced eyes immediately assessing the dried blood on my temple. "I'll take care of it right away."

"It's really not necessary," I protested. "Wolf healing will take care of it by morning."

"Humor me," Jasper said with a gentle firmness. "Karen was a healer before she became house manager. You're in good hands."

"Please ensure she has everything she needs," he continued to Karen.

"Of course, Alpha." The woman's eyes finished assessing me with the practiced efficiency of a longtime Beta caretaker. "Dinner is ready whenever you are. I've made a venison stew—I thought something hearty might be welcome after a difficult day. But first, let's clean up that wound."

My stomach growled in response, and Karen's smile widened. "I'll take that as confirmation for dinner afterward. This way, please."

As we followed Karen inside, Jasper leaned closer to speak quietly. "Karen practically raised me. She's been with Silverstone Pack since before I was born. You can trust her completely."

I nodded cautiously, taking in the house's elegant but comfortable interior. "Thank you for arranging this. Though I still think it might be an overreaction."

"Better to overreact than to underestimate the Brooks family," Jasper replied. "We'll get you safely away from Moon Bay soon. Tonight, rest. You're safe here."

Karen showed me to a spacious guest room with a stunning view of the forested valley below. The room was obviously prepared with a female wolf in mind—the bedding was soft and plush, the lighting warm rather than harsh, and a selection of toiletries was arranged neatly in the adjoining bathroom.

"Let's tend to that cut first," Karen said, gesturing to a chair near the bathroom. "It won't take but a moment."

I sat obediently as she gently cleaned the dried blood with a warm cloth, her touch professional but kind. The cut had indeed already begun healing, but she applied a soothing herbal balm that smelled of calendula and something distinctly wolfish—a traditional pack remedy.

"There," she said, satisfied. "Now, is there anything else you need, Miss Riley?"

"No, this is... more than enough. Thank you." I set my small bag down, suddenly overwhelmed by the day's events.

Karen nodded. "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. The closet has some spare clothing if you'd like to change."

After she left, I sank onto the edge of the bed, the reality of my situation finally hitting me. I was in a Silverstone Pack safe house, miles from Grey Estate, with Jasper Stone as my protector. This morning, I'd been preparing to leave Moon Bay on my own terms. Now, I was caught in yet another web of Alpha politics.

I moved to the window, looking out at the dark forest and the distant lights of Moon Bay below. Had Jasper planned this all along? The safe house was too perfectly prepared to be coincidental. The closet with women's clothing, the room arranged to suit a female wolf's preferences—he had anticipated bringing me here.

The thought should have made me angry, but I was too exhausted for anger. Instead, I felt a resigned sort of acceptance. At least here, I was away from Thorne and Kaelin's drama. Away from the constant reminders of my exile and disgrace.

What would Thorne do when he discovered I was gone? Would he even notice tonight, or would he stay at the hospital with Kaelin? The thought of him returning to Grey Estate, seeing my packed bag, and simply shrugging it off made my chest ache despite everything.

No. Stop that. He made his choice. He chose Kaelin—again. He chose her over justice, over truth... over you.

I changed into the clean clothes from the closet, surprised to find they fit reasonably well. Then I sat on the bed, staring at my phone, wondering if I should text Martha to let her know I was safe.

Before I could decide, a text came through—from an unknown number.

[Stay where you are. I'm coming for you. - T]

My heart lurched painfully. Thorne. But how did he know I wasn't at Grey Estate? Unless... he'd returned and found me gone.

I quickly deleted the message. If Thorne was tracking my phone, I didn't want him to know I'd seen it. Tomorrow, I'd be gone from Moon Bay. I'd find a new pack, a new life far from Thorne Grey and all the pain he represented.