The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 190

Thorne’s POV

Mark was waiting by the elevator, his expression carefully neutral. The doors opened as I approached, and we stepped inside.

"Report," I said once the doors closed.

"Ms. Riley appeared unsettled but physically unharmed," Mark replied promptly. "She maintained composure during the escort back to her apartment. My sources indicate the Elder offered her financial support and a new identity in exchange for leaving Silverstone territory."

My jaw tightened. "What was her response?"

"Inconclusive. The conversation was interrupted before she gave a definitive answer." Mark hesitated, then added, "The Elder also suggested he had information about her family."

A low growl escaped me before I could suppress it. Using her family as leverage was a calculated move, one that revealed how much my father understood about Freya's motivations.

"From tomorrow, I want full surveillance on Freya," I instructed, watching the floor numbers decrease. "Keep a respectful distance, but ensure her safety at all times."

"Understood, Alpha." Mark's voice remained professional. "Should we interfere if she makes contact with Jasper Stone?"

I considered this. Stone's interest in Freya was concerning, especially given my father's sudden involvement. "No. Observe only, unless she appears to be in immediate danger."

As Mark nodded, I made a silent vow to myself. The truth about what happened three years ago had been buried long enough. Whatever forces were at work—my father, the Brooks family, perhaps others—I needed to uncover them before they could harm Freya again.

The elevator continued its descent, and I stood alone with my thoughts. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Kaelin. Again. Five messages in the last hour, each increasingly desperate for my attention. I ignored them all.

I've been dancing to everyone else's tune for too long, I thought as the polished metal doors reflected my image back at me. It's time to take control.

The Alpha staring back at me from the mirrored surface had changed. The careful restraint I'd maintained for years was slipping away, revealing something wilder, more primal. My eyes flashed gold in the reflection, and for once, I didn't try to hide it.

By the time the elevator doors opened to the lobby, I had made my decision. I would not only uncover the truth about Freya Riley, but I would also claim the full power of my position. No more being the dutiful son, the perfect Chief Justice. If my father could play games behind my back, then the rules had already changed.

I was the Alpha of Grey Moon Pack, and it was time everyone remembered what that meant.

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Freya's POV

The afternoon sun slanted through the tall windows of Stone Group's design department as I gathered my things to leave. Two days had passed since my encounter with Alexander Grey, and the memory of his veiled threats still made my skin crawl. I'd thrown myself into work, finalizing the binding ceremony pendant designs and sending them to Emma for delivery, hoping the distraction would keep my mind from spinning with what-ifs.

I slipped my tablet into my bag, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at my healing wounds. The injuries were much better thanks to Thorne's unexpected intervention in the restaurant bathroom.

"Heading out, Mia?" Carter asked from his desk, using the fake name I'd been working under.

I nodded with a polite smile. "Just finished the Crescent project. Emma seemed pleased."

"Nice work," he said, but the wariness in his eyes hadn't faded since the rumors about my interaction with Alpha Thorne at the gala. The office gossip machine had been working overtime, and I could feel the sideways glances from several designers as I made my way to the elevator.

The ride down to the parking garage was mercifully empty. I leaned against the wall, allowing my professional mask to slip for just a moment. My wolf whined softly inside me, still weakened from the silver poisoning and confused by the conflicting Alpha scents that had surrounded me lately—Thorne, Jasper, and now the former Alpha Alexander. It was enough to make any Beta wolf's instincts go haywire.

The elevator doors opened to the dimly lit parking garage, and I stepped out, keys in hand. I'd only taken three steps when a familiar scent hit me—powerful, commanding, but not Thorne's. Jasper Stone leaned against a sleek black sports car, his casual posture belying the intentional placement that blocked my path to the exit.

"Ms. Riley," he said, straightening as I approached. "Or do you prefer Mia when you're here?"

"Alpha Stone," I replied cautiously.

His smile was charming but calculating. "I was hoping to catch you before you left. I have something for you."

He reached into his car and pulled out a small package wrapped in silver paper. "This was delivered to my office this morning. It's from Professor Julie Hunter."

My heart skipped a beat.

"She asked me to pass it along," Jasper continued, holding it out. "Said it was important you received it."

I took the package with trembling fingers. "Thank you."

"Why don't you open it?" he suggested, gesturing to his car. "I can give you a ride home while you do."

Every instinct told me to decline, to maintain distance from this Alpha with unclear motives. But curiosity about Julie's gift outweighed my caution, and I found myself nodding.

The interior of Jasper's car was all leather and luxury, the scent of an Alpha territory carefully maintained. I settled into the passenger seat and carefully unwrapped the package while Jasper started the engine.

Inside was a velvet box, and nestled within it lay a crescent moon pendant on a delicate silver chain. I recognized it immediately—it was a replica of the design I'd submitted for the Grey Moon Academy design competition three years ago, the one that had earned me the internship at the prestigious enterprise before everything fell apart.

"It's beautiful," Jasper commented, glancing over as he drove. "The craftsmanship is exceptional."

"It was my winning design," I said softly, running my finger over the smooth curves of the moon. "Julie must have had it made."

"Allow me," Jasper said as he stopped at a red light. Before I could protest, he took the necklace and leaned toward me. His scent enveloped me as he fastened the clasp behind my neck, his fingers brushing against my skin. The pendant settled just below my collarbone, cool against my skin.

"Perfect," he murmured, his eyes lingering on the pendant—and perhaps a moment too long on the skin beneath it. The Alpha's interest in his scent was unmistakable, making my wolf shift uncomfortably.

The light turned green, and Jasper returned his attention to the road, but the atmosphere in the car had changed. His Alpha presence seemed to fill the confined space, and my Beta instincts registered the subtle dominance display for what it was—interest, perhaps even courtship.

A flash of bright headlights suddenly cut through the car, momentarily blinding us both. The scent that followed was like a thunderstorm—powerful, electric, and unmistakably furious. Another Alpha, and I knew exactly which one.

"Looks like we have company," Jasper said calmly, though his knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "Your former Alpha seems to be keeping close tabs on you, Ms. Riley."