The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 168

Thorne's POV

I stalked through the Howling Hall, my wolf snarling beneath my skin, demanding I return to the terrace and reclaim what was mine. The taste of Freya lingered on my lips, awakening memories and desires I'd spent a lot of time trying to bury.

"Alpha Thorne," a Beta server called, approaching cautiously. "Your mate, Miss Brooks—she's unwell. The doctor is with her in the east parlor."

I nodded curtly and changed direction. The east parlor was quieter than the main hall, with just a few concerned Betas hovering outside the closed door. They scattered at my approach, heads bowed in deference.

Inside, I found Kaelin reclining on a velvet chaise lounge, her face pale and drawn. The doctor stood nearby, checking her pulse.

"Lunar phase syndrome," he said as I entered, confirming what Stone had implied. "Not severe, but she should rest. I've given her something to help with the symptoms."

"Thank you, Doctor," I said, moving to Kaelin's side. "How are you feeling?"

"Thorne," she whispered, reaching for my hand with fingers that trembled slightly. "I'm so sorry about this. The symptoms came on suddenly. I took my medication, but..." She trailed off with a weak gesture.

"It's fine," I replied, my mind still half on the terrace, on Freya's scent mingling with the whiskey on her breath, on the way she'd melted against me for one telling moment before pushing me away.

"The doctor says I should leave," Kaelin continued, her voice small. "I hate to ruin the evening."

"We'll go," I said, grateful for the excuse to leave Stone's territory. "Can you walk?"

She nodded, and with the doctor's assistance, we made our way out of the Howling Hall. I was acutely aware of the whispers and stares that followed us, the speculation that would inevitably spread through both packs by morning.

As we passed through the main hall, I caught a glimpse of Freya reentering with Stone at her side. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her lips faintly swollen from my kiss. Even across the crowded room, I could see how she kept her head high, ignoring the whispers that followed her as well. Something like pride stirred in my chest before I ruthlessly suppressed it.

Stone's arm brushed against hers in a gesture that was unmistakably possessive, and my wolf surged forward with a jealousy so intense it nearly broke through my control.

"Did you hear?" one Beta whispered to another as we passed. "Brooks had another episode just as Riley appeared. The timing is—"

I silenced them with a look, but the damage was done. The coincidence of Kaelin's episodes and Freya's appearances was becoming noticeable, and that was dangerous for everyone involved.

Outside, the night air was cool against my heated skin. Mark had the car waiting, and I helped Kaelin into the passenger seat before sliding behind the wheel myself.

"Did you speak with her?" Kaelin asked as we pulled away from the Howling Hall, her voice noticeably stronger now that we were alone.

"With who?" I asked, though I knew exactly whom she meant.

"With *her*. With Riley."

I kept my eyes on the road. "Briefly."

"And?"

"And nothing. She's working for Stone now. As a designer."

Kaelin fell silent for a moment. "Our binding ceremony," she finally said. "We should finalize the arrangements soon. The pack is expecting an announcement at the next full moon."

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. "Let's wait until you're feeling better."

"I'm fine, Thorne. The medication is already working. We could discuss it tonight, or tomorrow—"

"I said we'll wait," I cut her off, more sharply than I'd intended.

Kaelin didn't respond, and we drove the rest of the way to the five-star hotel in the center of Silverstone territory in silence. I escorted her to her suite, waited until she was safely inside, and then retreated to my own room down the hall.

Alone, I loosened my tie and poured myself a generous measure of whiskey from the minibar. The amber liquid reminded me of Freya's eyes when she'd challenged me, full of defiance despite her vulnerable position.

My phone buzzed with a call from Mark.

"Are you returning to the pack tonight, Alpha?" he asked without preamble when I answered.

"No. It's late. We'll head back tomorrow."

There was a brief pause. "Any particular reason you're staying in Stone territory overnight?"

I ignored the implied question. "What's the status on that financial investigation into Stone Group?"

"Still in progress. Their corporate structure is complex. It will take time to untangle."

I swirled the whiskey in my glass, considering my next move. "And the Rileys? In the Forgotten Wilds?"

"They have adequate food and shelter," Mark reported. "Their health is stable. If they continue to obey the laws of the Wilds, their exile term may be shortened."

"Good," I said, though the word felt hollow. Exile was exile, whether it lasted three years or thirty. I knew that better than most, having handed down so many such sentences.

"Will there be anything else, Alpha?" Mark asked after a moment of silence.

I thought of Freya's face as I'd kissed her—surprise giving way to momentary surrender before hardening into resistance. I thought of Stone's proprietary hand at her elbow, the way he'd called her his employee with such smug satisfaction.

"No," I said. "That will be all for tonight."