The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 17

Freya's POV

Terra eventually accepted, and we left the restaurant, heading toward the electronics market.

The Shadow District electronics market was a noisy, vibrant area with stalls and small shops lining narrow alleyways. The air buzzed with the smell of electronic devices: plastic, metal, and a slight burning scent. All manner of wolves shopped and traded here, mostly Omegas and low-ranking Betas who couldn't afford the prices in the city center stores.

I felt eyes on me as we walked, my body tensing instinctively. Even with my mark covered, something about me still drew attention.

Terra led me through the crowded paths to a stall specializing in second-hand phones. The vendor was a thin male wolf whose eyes gleamed with shrewdness as he watched us approach.

"What can I do for you ladies?" he asked, his voice rough from years of smoking.

"My friend needs a smartphone," Terra said, "basic functions, limited budget."

The vendor scanned me briefly, then nodded, pulling out several phones from under his counter. "These are recent models, decent condition."

I examined each phone carefully, eventually selecting a simple but functional black smartphone. The price wasn't cheap, but it was a manageable expense for me now.

"I'll take this one," I pointed.

The vendor nodded and began setting up the phone for me. As he leaned forward, his nose twitched slightly, catching a scent. Then his gaze fell to my collar, where my clothing had shifted slightly, revealing a small portion of the Riley moon mark.

His expression immediately turned cautious. "You're..." he murmured, eyes widening.

I quickly pulled my collar higher, covering the mark. "Just a customer," I said calmly, though my heart raced. "How much for the phone?"

The vendor hesitated, his expression complex. I could see him weighing the pros and cons—doing business with an exile might bring trouble, but money was money.

"Three hundred fifty," he finally said, voice low.

I didn't haggle, simply pulled out the cash from my pocket and handed it to him. As I did so, I noticed the gazes of other customers settling on me, expressions ranging from curious to wary. My wolf instincts told me I was being marked, not just by the moon shape on my neck, but by my scent and demeanor, which betrayed my identity to other wolves.

The vendor quickly took the money and handed me the phone and charger. "Good luck," he muttered, eyes avoiding mine.

I nodded in thanks and left the stall with Terra. As we walked through the market, I felt more gazes following me, the air filled with whispers and tense scents.

"You okay?" Terra asked, noticing the crowd's reaction.

"I'm used to it," I answered evenly. "It's why I usually try to cover the mark."

"You know, you could completely hide it with makeup or a scarf," Terra suggested.

I gave a nod. "You're right." In the present situation, revealing my identity would bring nothing but trouble.

Terra seemed to understand and didn't press further. We continued through the market, eventually reaching a more open area.

"I should get back to the bar," Terra said, "I have the night shift."

I nodded. "Thanks for your help."

"If you need anything, you can always come find me," she said, her tone sincere. "I mean it, Freya. I know the Shadow District can be tough for someone like you, but you don't have to face everything alone."

Her words warmed something inside me that had been cold for a long time. "Thank you, Terra. I'll remember that."

We parted ways at the market entrance, Terra heading toward the bar, and I turning toward my temporary home. The new phone felt significant in my pocket—a small victory, a step toward finding answers.

---

Evening was settling over the Shadow District, the small roads largely empty. Most wolves were rushing home or to night shifts, leaving the streets deserted and the sky darkening. I walked toward my lodging, fiddling with the settings and features of my new phone.

This simple device felt like a small miracle in my hands. Having a smartphone meant reconnecting with the world, perhaps finding clues about my family.

I opened the browser and typed "Riley family Moon Bay." The search results were disappointing—most links showed "page not found" or redirected to other content. Social media accounts were either deleted or last updated before my exile. Almost all public records had been erased, as if the Riley family had never existed.

I frowned, trying searches for my father's name, then my mother's and brother's. The results were equally disheartening. The only information I found was an old news article mentioning "the Riley family stripped of all assets due to treason," but no specific details.

As I was absorbed in my search, my wolf instincts suddenly alerted me to danger. The hair on the back of my neck seemed to stand up, a cold premonition running down my spine. I stopped walking, raised my head, and scanned my surroundings warily.

The twilight had deepened, the street lamps casting uncertain shadows. There was a subtle tension in the air, a feeling of being watched. My fingers slid discreetly into my pocket, where I kept my few personal defense items—a small folding knife.

Suddenly, three large figures emerged from the shadows ahead, forming a line that blocked my path. They were all strong male wolves, emanating danger and threat. More disturbing was the ordered scent they carried—this wasn't a random attack, someone had sent them specifically for me.

I stood still, assessing my chances of escape. But they had already seen me, and their positioning suggested they had anticipated my potential escape routes.

The lead wolf stepped forward, the streetlight illuminating his rugged features and cold eyes. "Freya Riley," he called my name directly, a note of mockery in his voice. "Someone paid us to teach you a lesson."

My heart sank. This wasn't a chance confrontation but a planned attack. "Who sent you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

The tallest of the three let out a harsh laugh. "You've made too many enemies, exile. But this time, we're here to show you what gratitude means."

They advanced slowly, cruelty gleaming in their eyes. I knew I couldn't escape from three wolves in their prime, especially when they were clearly prepared for me.

"I don't want trouble," I said, stepping backward. "I'm just trying to live quietly."

"Too late," the leader growled. "Some people think you need to be reminded of your place."

They suddenly accelerated, lunging at me with wolf-like speed. I instinctively turned to run, but they were ready. The tallest wolf grabbed my arm and yanked hard, throwing me against the wall.

The impact made me see stars, but my wolf instincts triggered a fighting response. As they approached again, I growled, my once-suppressed wolf nature reawakening, lengthening my nails and making my eyes flash with wildness. I felt the phone in my pocket and quickly moved it to an inner pocket, securing it.

I struck at the nearest attacker, claws raking across his cheek, leaving four bloody lines. He backed away in surprise, but the other two immediately pounced, grabbing my arms and pinning me to the ground.

"Look at that," the leader mocked. "The exile still has some fight. But have you forgotten? You're nothing now, just an ungrateful piece of trash."