The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 170

Freya’s POV

"A binding ceremony pendant?" I repeated, my stomach sinking as I remembered Kaelin's comments about her upcoming ceremony with Thorne.

"Yes," Emma said, not elaborating on whose ceremony it might be. "Red rubies, traditional symbolism but with a modern twist. Think you can handle it?"

I nodded, pushing away thoughts of Thorne binding himself to Kaelin. "Of course."

"Good. Get started right away." Emma glanced at her watch. "I'll be out this afternoon—personal business—but I expect to see your progress first thing tomorrow."

I left Emma's office feeling a strange mix of gratitude and confusion.

At lunchtime, I took my sandwich to a corner table in the company cafeteria, well away from the clusters of chatting designers. I was used to eating alone—it had been my reality for three years in exile, and apparently, it would continue here.

I was halfway through my meal when a sudden hush fell over the cafeteria. Heads turned, and a few wolves even let out soft, involuntary whines of submission. I didn't need to look up to know what had caused the reaction—only an Alpha could command that kind of instinctive response.

"There you are," Jasper Stone said, sliding into the seat across from me as if joining me for lunch was the most natural thing in the world.

The entire cafeteria was watching us now, whispers starting to ripple through the room. I could feel dozens of curious gazes on my back.

"Alpha Stone," I greeted him formally, aware of our audience.

Jasper smiled, his predatory eyes gleaming with amusement. "How's your first week going, Mia?"

Before I could answer, another figure appeared at our table.

"Alpha Stone," Emma said coolly. "What brings you to our humble cafeteria? I don't believe I've ever seen you dine here before."

Jasper looked up at Emma, and I could feel the immediate tension between them—not hostile exactly, but certainly not friendly.

"Emma," he replied, equally cool. "I was just checking in on our newest designer."

Emma sat down beside me, positioning herself subtly between Jasper and me. "How thoughtful. Though a phone call would have sufficed."

"Where's the fun in that?" Jasper smirked. Then he turned back to me. "I just wanted to make sure you're settling in well after last night's... excitement."

"I'm fine," I said quickly, not wanting to discuss the gala in front of the entire cafeteria.

Emma's gaze flicked between us. "Jasper, I need to leave early today. Personal business."

"Oh?" Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Anything I should know about?"

"No," Emma said firmly.

I watched their exchange with growing curiosity. There was clearly some history between them, a familiarity that went beyond a normal Alpha-Beta working relationship.

"Is everything alright between you two?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Emma and Jasper both looked at me, then at each other.

"Everything's fine," Emma said.

At the same time, Jasper laughed and said, "Emma's still mad that I asked her out three years ago and she turned me down."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself, Jasper. I simply have standards."

Jasper clutched his chest in mock hurt. "You wound me, Emma. Truly."

Despite the tension, I found myself smiling at their banter. It was almost... normal. For a moment, I could forget that I was an exiled wolf hiding under a false identity.

Emma checked her watch and stood. "I need to go. Mia, I'll see your designs tomorrow morning." She nodded coolly to Jasper. "Alpha."

After she left, Jasper turned his full attention back to me. "So, how are you really doing after last night?"

"I told you, I'm fine," I said, more firmly this time.

Jasper studied me for a moment, then seemed to accept my answer. "Good. I have meetings all afternoon, but I wanted to make sure Grey didn't rattle you too much."

"It takes more than Thorne Grey to rattle me," I said, though we both knew that wasn't entirely true.

Jasper grinned. "That's what I like about you, Freya Riley. You've got spine."

With that, he rose and left, leaving me to finish my lunch under the curious and somewhat envious stares of my colleagues.

Back at my desk, I focused intensely on the ruby pendant designs. I sketched three different concepts—one traditional with intricate wolf pack symbols, one sleek and modern with clean lines, and one that balanced both aesthetics. Working helped keep my mind off Thorne and the events of the previous night.

Occasionally, I noticed Carter or Melissa walking past my desk, pretending not to look at my sketches while clearly trying to see what I was working on. I kept my drawings partially covered, not trusting either of them.

As the office began to empty for the day, my phone buzzed with a message. My heart jumped to my throat when I saw the sender: Kaelin Brooks.

[We need to talk. Meet me at Crescent Moon restaurant tomorrow at 7 PM.]

I immediately typed back: [No.]

Her response came seconds later: [I thought you might say that. Would you prefer I tell Alpha Thorne about your brother's current... situation instead?]

My blood ran cold. I had no idea what she knew about Ethan, but the threat was clear.

[Leave my brother out of this,] I typed with trembling fingers.

[Then meet me tonight. Come alone, or your other blood relative will suffer the consequences.]

The implication was unmistakable. My wolf howled in distress at the thought of Ethan in danger.

After a long moment, I typed: [Fine. I'll be there.]

[Good girl,] came her response, the condescension burning through the screen.