The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 150

Freya’s POV

Jasper studied me, his expression unreadable. "Running away, Freya?"

"Being practical," I corrected him. "Thorne will never stop looking for me as long as I'm in or near Moon Bay. And Kaelin wants me gone before their binding ceremony."

"She told you that?" he asked sharply.

"She called me," I admitted. "Made it very clear I wasn't welcome at the happy event."

Jasper's jaw tightened momentarily, then he nodded. "I understand. And yes, if you want to leave Moon Bay entirely, I can arrange it. I have connections in several cities where you could work remotely for Silverstone Pack's design division."

Relief washed through me. "Thank you."

"But," he held up a finger, "I want to be the one to find you a place. Somewhere secure, where Grey can't track you down."

I frowned. "You think he'd go that far? Track me to another city?"

"I think he doesn't like losing what he considers his," Jasper said carefully. "And right now, for whatever reason, he considers you his to find."

The thought sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. Was Thorne's search really about me, or just about winning, about maintaining control? I suspected the latter, but a tiny, foolish part of me still hoped for the former.

"Alright," I agreed. "You find me somewhere to go. But I want to leave soon. Today, if possible."

Jasper's eyebrows rose. "That eager to get away?"

"That eager to start over," I corrected him.

He studied me for a moment, then nodded decisively. "I can have you out of Moon Bay by nightfall. Pack whatever you brought—travel light. I'll make arrangements."

A weight lifted from my shoulders. This was it—my chance to truly break free, to start fresh somewhere far from Thorne and Kaelin and all the painful memories Moon Bay held.

"Thank you, Jasper," I said softly.

He reached across the island and briefly squeezed my hand—a gesture of solidarity that surprised me. "You're welcome, Freya Riley. I think you'll find the Silverstone Pack treats talent with the respect it deserves."

---

Three hours later, I sat in the passenger seat of Jasper's sleek black SUV, watching the familiar skyline of Moon Bay shrink in the side mirror. I'd changed into simple clothes Jasper had provided—plain jeans, a modest sweater, and comfortable shoes—clothes that would help me blend in as we passed through the city borders.

"We're approaching the checkpoint," Jasper said quietly as we neared the eastern border of Moon Bay. "The Delta guards will be more vigilant than usual, given Grey's orders. Remember what we discussed."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm your household staff, accompanying you on a business trip. I keep my eyes down, speak only if spoken to directly, and let you do the talking."

"Good," he said, his voice taking on the more commanding tone of an Alpha addressing a subordinate. It was all for show, but my wolf still responded instinctively, my posture becoming more deferential.

My heart pounded against my ribs as Jasper's SUV slowed at the checkpoint that marked the eastern border of Moon Bay. The sleek vehicle—which had felt like a sanctuary just moments ago—now seemed like a fragile shell as we approached the border guards. Four Delta wolves stood at attention, each wearing the distinctive gray and silver uniforms of Grey Moon Pack's border patrol, silver badges gleaming in the afternoon sun.

I kept my eyes fixed on my hands folded in my lap. The silver mark on my neck seemed to burn, though I knew it was just my anxiety making it feel that way. I had carefully arranged my hair to partially conceal it, and Jasper had helped me apply a special scent-masking lotion that would make it harder for the guards to detect my unique scent signature.

As we rolled to a stop, I took a shallow breath, careful not to inhale too deeply. The border crossing smelled of multiple wolves marking territory—the heavy musk of Grey Moon wolves mixed with traces of Silverstone Pack members who had recently crossed. It was a tense olfactory standoff that matched the political tension between our packs.

One of the guards—a muscular Delta with cropped dark hair and watchful eyes—approached the driver's side. Jasper lowered his window, allowing his Alpha scent to flow freely. It was a subtle power move, one that immediately changed the guard's posture from authoritative to respectful.

"Alpha Stone," the guard said with a slight bow of his head. "We weren't expecting you to cross back so soon."

"I wasn't planning to," Jasper replied, his tone casual but firm. "But business doesn't wait for convenience."

The guard nodded. "Of course, sir. However, we have new protocols in place. All vehicles crossing between territories must be logged and inspected." His eyes flickered to me briefly. "Even those belonging to neighboring Alphas."

My wolf tensed inside me, her instincts screaming to flee, but I kept my body language submissive and my eyes downcast. Just a household Beta, I reminded myself. Nothing unusual.

"I understand," Jasper said smoothly. "Though I'm certain Alpha Thorne would be displeased to hear his border guards are delaying the Alpha of Silverstone Pack."

The guard didn't back down, though his scent carried a hint of nervousness now. "Direct orders from Alpha Thorne himself, sir. All crossings are to be documented and all passengers identified."

Jasper let out a subtle growl that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It wasn't directed at me, but the sound of an Alpha's displeasure triggered instinctive responses in any wolf who heard it.

"Very well," he conceded. "You may log my crossing. I'm returning to Silverstone with my household staff."

The guard's eyes shifted to me again, more deliberately this time. "And who is this?"

Before Jasper could answer, two more guards approached, their hands resting casually on the silver-infused batons at their belts. Silver wouldn't kill a werewolf, but it could temporarily disable our ability to shift and heal—making it the perfect weapon for law enforcement.

"This is my newly hired house Beta," Jasper answered, a hint of territorial Alpha creeping into his voice. "She'll be handling domestic affairs at my residence."

I kept my eyes down, the picture of Beta submission. Everything in me rebelled against this posture—I had spent my life as the daughter of a high-ranking Beta family, accustomed to looking others in the eye—but now my survival depended on playing this role perfectly.

"Your name?" the guard asked me directly.

"Mia Porter," I replied softly, using the alias Jasper and I had agreed upon. My voice came out appropriately deferential, though my heart was racing so fast I was sure they could hear it.

"Look up," the guard commanded.

I raised my eyes, careful to keep my expression neutral and submissive. The guard studied my face, and I fought the urge to fidget or show any sign of nervousness.

"What was your previous employment?"

"I worked for the Valentine family in the northern district," I answered, sticking to our prepared story. "They relocated overseas and no longer required my services."

The lead guard frowned slightly. "We need to verify your identity and status. Please step out of the vehicle."