The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 186

Freya’s POV

Jasper's expression remained carefully neutral, his eyes fixed on the road. "There have been developments," he confirmed. "My pack members near the borders have been negotiating for possible contact with exiles."

Hope flared in my chest, so sudden and fierce it nearly took my breath away. "Have they found them? Are they okay?"

"Not yet," Jasper cautioned, glancing at me briefly. "But we're making progress. The problem is..." He paused, as if considering his next words carefully. "I sense someone is actively working against our efforts."

My hope dimmed slightly, replaced by a familiar wariness. "What do you mean?"

"Information that should be accessible has been blocked. Contacts who were willing to speak have suddenly gone silent." Jasper's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on the steering wheel. "It's as if someone doesn't want us to find the Riley family."

A cold sensation settled in the pit of my stomach. "Who would do that? And why?"

Jasper was silent for a moment, navigating through an intersection before responding. "Your exile sentence was personally handed down by Alpha Thorne Grey, wasn't it? And the Riley family case was also under his jurisdiction."

The implication hung heavy in the air between us. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past as we drove. "You think Thorne is blocking your investigation?"

"I think it's a remarkable coincidence that the same judge who exiled you is now engaged to the woman who allegedly suffered at your hands," Jasper replied carefully. "And I find it interesting that whenever we get close to information about your family, Grey Moon Pack members seem to appear in the vicinity."

My wolf growled softly within me, the sound reverberating in my chest. "That doesn't make sense," I argued, even as doubt crept in. "What would Thorne gain from keeping my family exiled? The trial is over. The sentence was carried out."

"Perhaps there's something about the Riley case that Alpha Grey doesn't want discovered," Jasper suggested, his voice deceptively casual. "Something that might reflect poorly on his judgment... or his fiancée."

The car slowed as we approached my apartment building, and Jasper pulled smoothly into a parking space. He turned to face me, his expression suddenly intense.

"I want you to know that I'm committed to finding the truth, Freya," he said, using my real name. "Whatever it takes."

I studied his face, trying to read beyond the practiced charm to his true intentions. Was he genuinely trying to help me, or was I simply a pawn in some territorial game between Alphas?

"Thank you," I said finally, deciding that his motivations didn't matter if the result was finding my family. "I appreciate your help."

Jasper nodded, apparently satisfied with my response. "Let me walk you up," he said, already opening his door. "You're still recovering."

I wanted to refuse, to insist that I could manage on my own, but the truth was, I felt exhaustion creeping in around the edges of my consciousness. The discharge, the conversation, the emotional roller coaster of hope and suspicion had taken more out of me than I'd anticipated.

"Alright," I conceded, pushing open my door.

Jasper was at my side in an instant, offering his arm for support. I took it reluctantly, trying to ignore the way his Alpha scent washed over me.

We made our way to the elevator in silence, the tension between us shifting into something less antagonistic but no less potent. When we reached my apartment door, I fumbled with my keys, suddenly eager to put a barrier between us.

"Would you like to come in for a moment?" I asked out of obligation, hoping he would decline. "I could offer you some water before you head back."

To my dismay, Jasper smiled. "Water would be nice, thank you."

I led him into my small apartment, acutely aware of how his presence seemed to fill the space, making it feel even smaller. I moved to the kitchen, grateful for the excuse to put distance between us.

"It's not much," I said, gesturing vaguely at the furnishings as I filled a glass with water. "But it serves its purpose."

Jasper accepted the water, his fingers brushing mine in a way that seemed deliberate. "It's practical," he observed, taking a slow sip while his eyes never left mine. "Like you."

Something in his tone made me tense, and I took an instinctive step back. Jasper noticed, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"You know, Freya," he said, setting the glass down on my small kitchen counter, "I've been wondering something about you."

"What's that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral despite the sudden prickling of unease along my spine.

"How much of a Beta you really are."

Before I could respond, he released a wave of Alpha energy that filled the room like a physical presence, heavy and demanding. My wolf immediately reacted, cowering instinctively before recovering enough to bristle with defiance.

"Alpha Stone," I said carefully, maintaining eye contact despite every instinct screaming at me to look away, to submit. "I think it's time for you to leave."

He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Ms. Riley seems to have forgotten that I'm not a benevolent Alpha," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr. "My interest in your case is genuine, but so is my interest in you."

I held my ground, forcing my breathing to remain steady. "I appreciate your help with my family situation, and I'm grateful for the job at Stone Group. But that's as far as my gratitude extends."

For a tense moment, Jasper's eyes flashed with gold—the unmistakable sign of an Alpha's wolf rising close to the surface. Then, surprisingly, he laughed, the sound oddly genuine.

"You really are something, Freya Riley," he said, stepping back and releasing the pressure of his dominance. "Most werewolves would be on their knees by now."

"If you wanted someone on their knees, you came to the wrong apartment," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "If your hunting instincts need satisfying, the bars just opened. Plenty of wolves would be happy to play that game with Stone Alpha."

Jasper studied me for a moment longer, then nodded, a spark of respect in his eyes. "Fair enough," he conceded. "I'll let it go today." He moved toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. His eyes flashed gold once more, but this time it seemed almost playful rather than threatening. "Be on time for work tomorrow, Ms. Porter."

After he left, I leaned against the counter, letting out a shaky breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The interaction had left me drained but also confused. Jasper Stone was clearly using me in some capacity—possibly as a pawn against Thorne—but he also seemed genuinely interested in helping me find my family.

I was still contemplating this when a knock at my door startled me from my thoughts. For a moment, I feared Jasper had returned, but when I peered through the peephole, I saw two unfamiliar men standing in the hallway. They were dressed in casual clothes, but something about their posture—the way they stood alert and watchful—marked them as trained guards or enforcers.

Cautiously, I opened the door, keeping the chain latched. "Can I help you?"

"Ms. Riley?" one of them asked, his voice respectful but firm. "We're from the Grey Manor. Alexander Grey would like to speak with you."