The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 180

Freya's POV

The sleek black car pulled away from the hospital, carrying me toward a meeting I was both eager for and dreading. Emma sat beside me in the backseat, her fingers drumming an uneven rhythm on her portfolio. Something wasn't right. Her ears twitched slightly—a Beta tell I'd learned to recognize when someone was holding back information.

"You still haven't told me who the client is," I said, watching her profile carefully.

Emma's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. "The design is what matters. Your ruby pendant concept is excellent—the star and moon setting is innovative."

"Emma." I turned more fully toward her, ignoring the twinge in my side where my wound was still healing. "You've been acting strange since you mentioned this meeting. Your ears haven't stopped twitching for the past ten minutes."

She sighed, her shoulders tensing. "Let's just focus on getting there, okay? The client is... particular."

My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin. Three years in exile had sharpened my survival instincts, and right now, every one of them was screaming danger.

"Is it someone from Grey Moon Pack?" I asked, my voice dropping to a whisper.

Emma's scent shifted slightly—anxiety mixed with something like guilt. She adjusted her collar, still avoiding my gaze. "Freya, please. Just trust me on this. Your design is what matters, not who it's for."

The car turned onto the main boulevard leading to the Silver Stone Hotel, one of the most prestigious venues in Stone's territory. As we approached the gleaming building, my unease grew into something close to dread. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, claws scraping against my consciousness, urging me to flee.

"Emma," I tried one last time as the car pulled up to the entrance. "Who are we meeting?"

Her eyes finally met mine, filled with apology. "Just promise me you won't run, no matter who walks through that door."

My heart sank. There was only one person who could elicit that kind of warning.

---

The private dining room of the Silver Stone Hotel was elegant in its understated luxury—cream walls adorned with subtle silver accents, a polished oak table set with fine china. Emma and I sat side by side, my portfolio open between us as we reviewed the pendant designs one final time.

"I incorporated the ruby into this crescent moon design," I explained, pointing to my favorite sketch. "The star positions represent the winter constellation that will be visible during the full moon ceremony."

Emma nodded approvingly. "It's beautiful work, Freya. Truly."

The genuine praise warmed me briefly before the cold reality of our situation settled back in. I closed the portfolio and looked directly at her.

"Whoever walks through that door is someone I know, isn't it? Someone I'd rather not see."

Emma set her pen down and turned to face me, her expression suddenly serious. "Listen to me carefully, Freya. I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't think it was important—for your career and for your... situation."

"My situation?"

"Your injuries. Your brother." She lowered her voice. "The threats against you."

I stiffened. "What does that have to do with—"

"Just promise me you won't bolt. No matter who the client is." Her eyes held mine, pleading. "You deserve this commission. Your talent deserves recognition."

Before I could respond, a soft knock at the door silenced us both. A hotel staff member entered, his posture deferential.

"Alpha Thorne Grey and Miss Brooks have arrived," he announced.

The room seemed to tilt sideways. My wolf, previously restless, now went completely still—the primal instinct of prey sensing a predator. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready for flight, but Emma's hand gripped my wrist beneath the table.

"Breathe," she whispered. "Remember your promise."

The door opened wider, and they entered.

Kaelin Brooks came first, resplendent in a pale blue dress that emphasized her flawless complexion and golden hair. She looked every inch the future Alpha mate—until her eyes fell on me. The shock that crossed her face was almost comical, her perfectly composed features crumpling before she quickly recovered. But not before I caught the flash of gold in her eyes—her wolf, momentarily breaking through.

And then HE was there. Thorne Grey.

He wore a charcoal suit that fit his tall frame perfectly, his silver-gray tie matching his eyes. Those eyes narrowed slightly when they moved from Emma to me, recognition and something darker flashing in their depths.

"Ms. White," he said, his voice deep and controlled as ever. "I wasn't aware you'd be bringing an... assistant."

Emma rose smoothly. "Not an assistant, Alpha Thorne. This is Mia Potter, our most talented new designer. The pendant concept was entirely her creation."

I stood on legs that felt dangerously weak, forcing myself to meet his gaze directly. "Alpha Thorne. Miss Brooks." My voice sounded steadier than I felt, though I couldn't quite hide the slight tremor. "It's an honor to present my design to you."

Kaelin's smile was brittle. "Mia Potter? Good... to see you again."

The way she emphasized my false name made it clear she recognized me immediately. The scent of her hostility filled the room, sharp and acrid.

Thorne's gaze hadn't left my face. "Indeed."

I opened my portfolio with hands I refused to let shake, turning to the page with my final design. "As you requested, I've created a ruby pendant for a binding ceremony. The stone is set within a crescent moon of white gold, with small diamonds creating a constellation pattern."

"Show me," Thorne commanded, his Alpha tone slipping into his voice.

I slid the drawing across the table, careful to avoid his fingers. He studied it for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

"You'll complete this project personally," he said finally. It wasn't a question. "From design to final delivery."

Emma started to object. "That's not our usual protocol—"

Thorne's gaze flicked to her, and whatever she saw there made her words die in her throat. "Ms. White, I believe the terms of our agreement were clear. I select the designer who will handle my commission."

"Of course, Alpha Thorne," Emma conceded, though I could smell her frustration.

I kept my face carefully neutral, though my heart hammered against my ribs. "I'd be honored to complete the project for your binding ceremony."

Kaelin's smile was all teeth. "How wonderful. The ceremony is in three weeks—you'll have plenty of time to make something... special."

---

Dinner was excruciating. We sat around the table like civilized wolves, pretending this wasn't the most awkward meal in existence. Emma carried most of the conversation, discussing the technical aspects of creating the pendant, while I picked at my food and avoided Thorne's penetrating gaze.

"The injury on your leg," Emma said quietly during a lull in the conversation. "It seems to be healing well."

I nearly choked on my water. Emma knew exactly what she was doing, deliberately bringing attention to my wound—the wound Kaelin's hired thugs had given me.

"How did you get hurt, Miss Potter? I remember you hadn't been hurt two days ago." Thorne was also pretending that he didn't know I was injured, even though he had only come to my ward yesterday.

"It's nothing," I said quickly. "Just a small accident."

"At Stone Group's design studio," Emma added, her eyes never leaving Kaelin. "Strange how these accidents happen."

Kaelin's face flushed, her eyes flashing gold again. "What are you implying, Ms. White?"

"Nothing at all," Emma replied smoothly. "I'm simply concerned for my designer's wellbeing."

The tension around the table thickened. I could feel my wound beginning to throb, as if responding to the mention of its existence. I needed space, air that wasn't filled with Thorne's scent and Kaelin's animosity.

"Excuse me," I said, setting my napkin beside my plate. "I need to use the restroom."