The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 149

Freya's POV

I finished my breakfast mechanically, then washed the dishes, needing something to do with my hands. The quiet of the house was oppressive now, leaving too much space for my thoughts.

I decided to make myself useful. If Karen was kind enough to prepare breakfast, the least I could do was clean up a bit. I found cleaning supplies in a hall closet and set to work dusting, sweeping, and generally tidying the already neat house. Physical work had always helped clear my mind, and there was something satisfying about creating order from chaos, even if the chaos was minimal.

I was in the middle of polishing the dining room table when I heard the front door open. My wolf immediately went on alert, hackles rising. I hadn't heard a car approach—a testament to how absorbed I'd been in my task.

"Karen?" I called cautiously, backing toward the kitchen where I could grab something to defend myself if needed.

"Not Karen," came a familiar deep voice, followed by the appearance of Jasper Stone in the doorway. He was dressed casually today in jeans and a dark gray henley that stretched across his broad shoulders. He quirked an eyebrow at the sight of me with a dust cloth in hand. "Making yourself at home, I see."

I relaxed slightly, though my wolf remained wary. Alpha or not, Jasper was still a relative stranger, and I was in his territory, at his mercy.

"I thought I'd help out," I said, straightening. "Karen's been kind."

"Karen mentioned you were an interesting houseguest," he said, amusement coloring his tone. "Said most wolves would be lounging around demanding service, not cleaning the house themselves."

I shrugged, uncomfortable with his scrutiny. "I've never been good at sitting still."

"Clearly." He glanced around the gleaming dining room. "Though if you're looking for employment, I can offer better positions than housekeeping. The Silverstone Pack would value your design skills far more than your dusting abilities."

I set down the cloth, wiping my hands on my jeans. "Is that why you're here? To recruit me again?"

"Among other reasons." He moved into the room, his presence filling the space in that way only Alphas could manage. "I thought you might appreciate some news."

My heart stuttered. "News?"

Jasper smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Your Alpha has been quite busy since your disappearance. He's tearing Moon Bay apart looking for you."

I swallowed hard, my earlier thoughts about Thorne searching for me suddenly less theoretical. "He's not my Alpha," I said automatically.

Jasper made a noncommittal sound. "Tell that to him. He's even sent formal requests to inspect Silverstone territory, claiming he has reason to believe a member of his pack has been—how did he put it?—'unlawfully detained or harbored.'"

My eyes widened. "He's blaming you for my disappearance?"

"Oh, he's doing more than blaming. He's increased Delta patrols along our borders. He's got his Beta—Mark, is it?—making inquiries with every pack within a hundred miles." Jasper's tone was light, but I could see the tension in his jaw. "I'd say he's quite desperate to find you, Freya Riley."

Something fluttered in my chest—a traitorous hope that I quickly suppressed. "He probably just doesn't like the idea of someone escaping his control," I said coldly. "Thorne has always been a control freak."

To my surprise, Jasper burst out laughing—a genuine laugh that transformed his face. "A control freak? I've heard Alpha Thorne described as intimidating, ruthless, even terrifying, but never a 'control freak.' You really do see him differently than everyone else, don't you?"

I felt my cheeks warm. "I just know him better than most."

"Indeed." Jasper studied me, his amusement fading. "You're right, though. He doesn't love you, Freya. If he did, why would he keep you under his thumb? Why would he force you to live in his house, watching him prepare to bind with another woman? It's not love—it's control."

His words were like a physical blow. I turned away, not wanting him to see how deeply they cut. Because he was right, wasn't he? If Thorne had ever cared for me, he wouldn't have subjected me to the constant humiliation of living in his house, serving his future mate.

"I don't want to talk about Thorne anymore," I said quietly. "Are you hungry? I could make lunch."

Jasper seemed to sense he'd pushed too far. "I'd like that," he said, his tone softening. "Karen says you're a good cook. A woman of many talents."

I headed to the kitchen, grateful for the chance to compose myself. Jasper followed, leaning against the doorframe as I examined the refrigerator's contents.

"How does a sandwich sound?" I asked. "There's turkey, cheese, some vegetables..."

"Perfect," he said, watching me with interest. "You know, most wolves would be intimidated, cooking for an Alpha."

I glanced at him as I gathered ingredients. "I've spent my life around Alphas. The intimidation factor wears off eventually."

"Does it?" he asked, sounding genuinely curious. "Even with Grey?"

I paused, thinking about it. "Thorne is...different. He can still make me nervous, but not because he's an Alpha. It's more because of our history."

Jasper nodded, watching as I assembled our lunch. I worked efficiently, finding a strange comfort in the mundane task. When I handed him his plate, he smiled—a real smile this time, one that made his eyes crinkle at the corners.

"Thank you," he said, and there was genuine warmth in his voice. "It's been a while since someone made me lunch without being ordered to."

We ate at the kitchen island, the silence between us surprisingly comfortable. I found myself relaxing slightly, my wolf sensing no immediate threat from this Alpha. In fact, there was something about Jasper's straightforward manner that my wolf responded to positively. He wasn't like Thorne, always hiding his thoughts behind that impenetrable mask. Jasper said what he meant, even when it was uncomfortable.

"So," he said after a few minutes, "have you thought about my offer? To join Silverstone Pack, at least temporarily?"

I looked down at my plate, unsure how to respond. "Even if I did work for you," I said carefully, "I'd want my independence. I don't want to belong to any pack right now."

"Understandable," he agreed readily. "You've had enough of pack politics."

I nodded, then hesitated before asking, "Would I...would I have to stay in Moon Bay? Because I was thinking maybe it's time I moved on. Completely."