The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 172

Freya’s POV

I wanted to refuse, to tell her to go to hell. But the image of Ethan's gaunt face held me back. "I need to see him first," I insisted. "I need proof he's alive and well before I agree to anything."

Kaelin's expression softened into something almost kind. "Of course," she said, her voice suddenly gentle. "I'm not a monster, Freya. I understand you need reassurance."

The sudden shift in her demeanor made me even more suspicious, but I stayed silent as she flagged down a server.

"We've been talking so long, and haven't even ordered," she said, her voice once again pleasant and controlled. "Let's have some food, shall we? And that bottle of Cabernet I requested earlier."

"I'm not hungry," I said flatly. "And I'd rather just go see my brother now."

Kaelin shook her head. "He's being held in Grey Moon territory. It's a bit of a drive, and we shouldn't go on empty stomachs." She smiled at the server who had appeared with a bottle of wine. "We'll both have the filet mignon, medium rare."

After the server left, Kaelin poured wine into both of our glasses. I eyed mine suspiciously.

"You think I'd poison you in a public restaurant?" she asked, amused. "Please." She took a sip from my glass, then returned it to me. "See? Perfectly safe."

I remained unconvinced. "Why the sudden hospitality?"

"Because we're about to come to an agreement," she said simply. "And I prefer to conduct business over a good meal."

The food arrived quickly—two perfectly cooked steaks with roasted vegetables. Kaelin ate with delicate precision, while I merely pushed the food around my plate.

"You really should eat," she encouraged. "It's excellent."

My throat felt too tight for food, but my mouth was dry. I reached for the wine glass, hesitating for just a moment before taking a small sip. The rich, dark liquid slid down my throat easily.

"There," Kaelin said approvingly. "Isn't that better?"

I took another sip, larger this time. The wine was indeed excellent, warming me from the inside. Perhaps it would help calm my nerves.

As we continued our uncomfortable meal, I noticed a strange tingling sensation spreading through my limbs. My thoughts began to feel sluggish, my eyelids heavy.

"What..." I began, my tongue suddenly feeling too large for my mouth. I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't cooperate. "What did you do?"

Kaelin watched me with cold satisfaction. "Just a little something to make our journey easier. Don't worry, it won't kill you. It just suppresses the wolf—makes sure you can't shift."

The room began to spin. I knocked over my wine glass, sending dark red liquid spilling across the white tablecloth like blood.

"You never... intended to take me to Ethan," I managed to say as darkness crept in from the edges of my vision.

The last thing I saw was Kaelin's smile, predatory and triumphant.

"No, Freya. I never did."

---

I woke to the scent of pine and soil, and the rough texture of tree bark against my back. My head throbbed with a dull, persistent ache, and my mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. When I tried to move, my limbs responded sluggishly, as if they were filled with lead.

Opening my eyes took effort. The world swam into focus gradually—trees, darkening sky, mountains in the distance. I was propped against a large pine tree in what appeared to be a remote area of forest. No buildings in sight, no roads, nothing but wilderness.

"She's waking up," a male voice said from somewhere to my right.

I turned my head slowly, wincing at the pain the movement caused. Three figures stood a few yards away, their features coming into focus as my vision cleared. Three male wolves—two Betas and an Omega, judging by their scents. None of them familiar.

"About time," another said. "Let's get this over with."

Cold fear sliced through the fog in my brain. *Get what over with?*

"That lady said to make sure it looks like an accident," the third man added, scratching his stubbled chin. "A hiking mishap or animal attack."

My heart began to race as understanding dawned. These men weren't here to take me to my brother. They were here to kill me.

I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt disconnected from my body. Whatever Kaelin had given me was still in my system, suppressing my strength and my ability to shift.

"Look at her," the first man said, his voice carrying a strange tone as he stepped closer. "Pretty little thing, isn't she? Seems a waste to just kill her right away."

"What are you suggesting?" the second man asked, though his knowing smirk suggested he understood perfectly.

The first man crouched down beside me, his eyes traveling over my body in a way that made my skin crawl. "I'm saying maybe we have some fun first. Brooks didn't specify how quickly the accident needed to happen."

"We're here to do a job," the third man said, though without much conviction.

"And we will," the first replied, reaching out to touch my face. I jerked away as best I could, but my movements were sluggish. "But there's no rush. She's not going anywhere."

The other two exchanged meaningful looks, then nodded with slow smiles spreading across their faces.

"Don't touch me," I managed to growl, though my voice came out weaker than I intended.

The first man laughed. "Hear that? She's still got some fight in her. I like that." His hand moved to my collar, fingers brushing against my neck. "I wonder how much fight she'll have left after—"

"Step away from her. Now."

All four of us turned toward the cold, commanding voice. A figure emerged from the shadows between the trees, and my breath caught in my throat.

Emma White stood there, her stance relaxed but her eyes hard. In her right hand, she held what appeared to be a silver dagger—moonsilver, judging by the distinctive gleam in the fading light.

"Who the hell are you?" the second man demanded, clearly startled by her sudden appearance.

"Someone you don't want to mess with," Emma replied calmly. "Step away from her, or this gets ugly."

The third man sneered. "There are three of us and one of you. And you're just a woman."

Emma smiled, a sharp, dangerous expression. "True. But I'm holding moonsilver. And I only need to nick each of you once to ensure you never shift again." She took a deliberate step forward. "Would you like to test how accurate my aim is?"

The threat hung in the air. Moonsilver was every wolf's nightmare—even a small cut could prevent shifting for weeks, and a serious wound could permanently damage a wolf's ability to transform.

"This isn't worth it," the first man muttered, rising to his feet and backing away from me.

"Shut up," the second hissed, but I could smell his fear now, sour and sharp.

Emma took another step forward. "Here's what's going to happen. You three are going to leave. Now. And if I ever see any of you near her again, I will personally ensure that Alpha Stone knows exactly who tried to harm one of his employees."

The mention of Jasper Stone caused all three men to stiffen.

"Alpha Stone?" the third man echoed. "What's she to him?"

"Would you like to find out?" Emma asked sweetly. "I'm sure he'd be happy to explain it to you. Personally."