The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 193

Freya’s POV

My breath hitched as his teeth grazed my neck, not breaking the skin but letting me feel the threat—or promise—of it. His hand on my waist slid higher, pushing fabric aside, exposing more of me to his hungry gaze.

We stumbled backward, locked in our struggle of wills and bodies, until the back of my legs hit the sofa. Thorne moved with predatory grace, maneuvering us down without breaking contact. The weight of him pressed me into the cushions, his scent overwhelming my senses.

His hands tore at my clothing with a desperation that mirrored the chaos in my own mind. I should stop this, I knew I should, but my body had its own agenda. When he exposed the pale skin of my neck and shoulder, revealing the crescent-shaped birthmark that marked me as Riley blood, his movements suddenly stilled.

"This mark," he said, his voice suddenly focused, fingers tracing the white, moon-shaped patch on my skin. "I haven't looked at it this closely in a long time..."

"Don't touch it," I whispered, suddenly vulnerable in a different way. "It's the only family marking I have left."

His eyes, still wolf-gold, met mine with an intensity that made me shiver. Then his lips returned to mine, and coherent thought fled.

Thorne's lips pressed against my collarbone, making my breathing grow rapid. His fingers slowly traced my waist, leaving trails of warmth. I should have pushed him away, but my fingers buried themselves in his hair, feeling his heat.

"You can't mark me," I said urgently, feeling his teeth graze my neck. "A mark would ruin me."

"Why resist?" His voice was deep, with the rough texture of his wolf. "Your wolf has already recognized me."

His fingers unbuttoned my shirt, movements both eager and careful. Our clothes were quickly tossed aside, his eyes fixed on my naked upper body, his gaze almost burning with intensity. I instinctively tried to cover myself, but he grabbed my wrists and pinned them to the sofa.

"Don't hide," he commanded, leaning down to kiss my breasts. His tongue circled the sensitive nipple, causing me to tremble involuntarily.

My hands slid to his shirt, clumsily undoing the buttons, desperate to feel his skin. "I hate you," I whispered, my trembling voice betraying me. "You can't just come back and then—"

"Then what?" he interrupted, his wolf eyes, blue intertwined with gold, staring directly at me. When my fingers touched his bare chest, he let out a satisfied sigh. "I can feel your response, Riley. Don't lie to yourself."

His hand unbuttoned my pants, the sound of the zipper especially clear in the quiet room. His fingers slipped into my underwear, directly touching the most sensitive area. I couldn't help but moan, my hips instinctively rising to meet his touch.

"Look at you," he whispered, his voice husky with desire. "Your body is more honest than your mouth."

When his fingers traced over the scar on my lower abdomen, I shuddered. It was a reminder of the Forgotten Wilds, proof of his judgment. He paused for a moment, his eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn't identify.

"This is my responsibility too," he murmured, fingertips gently touching the scar, then continuing downward, exploring between my legs. His fingers slid through the wet folds, and I bit my lip to stop myself from making more noise.

"Stop," I said, my voice weaker than I'd intended. "Don't pretend you care."

He didn't answer but showed his intent through action. He removed the rest of my clothes, then stood to take off his pants. His erection stood proud between his legs, announcing his desire. I felt both fear and anticipation, my wolf responding excitedly, as if finding its place, while my human side was filled with anger and shame.

He covered my body with his again, the feeling of skin against skin making us both sigh with satisfaction. His palm slid up my thigh, parting my legs. I could feel his hard tip pressing against my entrance.

"Look at me," he commanded, his voice carrying the irresistible power of an Alpha.

I raised my eyes to see his wolf fully manifested, golden wolf eyes reflecting my image. In that moment, all resistance became meaningless. My fingers left marks on his back, feeling the tension in his muscles.

"You will never mark me," I said brokenly in his ear, each word defiant. "No matter what you do."

"We'll see about that," he answered, his voice naked with possession.

He entered me slowly but firmly, filling my body. That moment made us both hold our breath. He began to move, each deep thrust seeming to imprint his mark. My legs wrapped around his waist, unconsciously matching his rhythm.

"Say you're mine," he whispered in my ear, while speeding up his movements. "Admit your wolf recognizes me."

I refused to respond, clenching my teeth to avoid surrendering, but my body honestly embraced him tightly, each touch bringing irresistible pleasure. My hands gripped the sofa cushions, knuckles white from the force.

At the edge of release, his teeth again dangerously approached the marking spot on my neck. I frantically pushed his head away, "Thorne, no! You're supposed to mark Kaelin, not me!"

His movement paused, a flash of clarity in his eyes. "Don't mention anyone else right now," he growled, his voice hoarse with possessiveness. "I promise, I'll make you willingly accept my mark."

His hand slid to where we were joined, fingertips precisely touching that sensitive spot. I arched my back uncontrollably, feeling waves of pleasure sweep through my body. He followed shortly after, burying himself deep inside me, releasing himself.

Finally, when everything ended, we lay together, breathing heavily. I felt my heartbeat gradually calming, and with it came waves of shame and confusion. What had I done? How could I have allowed this to happen?

I pushed away from him, fumbling to straighten my clothing, to restore some semblance of dignity. My hands shook as I buttoned my blouse.

"I'll finish the design for the binding ceremony rings," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "You'll have them by the deadline."

Thorne watched me, his expression unreadable though his wolf still gleamed in his eyes. He seemed torn between satisfaction and some deeper emotion I couldn't identify—perhaps regret, or confusion of his own. His wolf clearly didn't want to leave, even as he began to put himself back together.

"I want my pendant back," I said flatly, extending my hand.

Thorne glanced at the silver crescent moon still clutched in his fist. "No."

"It's mine."

"Not anymore." He slipped it into his pocket and stood, adjusting his clothing with far more composure than I could manage.

I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "Please leave."

He hesitated, and for a moment I thought he might say something—offer an explanation, an apology, anything to make sense of what had just happened between us. Instead, he simply said, "Don't let Jasper Stone near you again."

Then he was gone, the door closing behind him with a quiet click that somehow felt more final than a slam would have.

I slid down to the floor, my back against the sofa, and wrapped my arms around my knees. What had I done? How could I have responded to him like that, after everything he'd put me through? My wolf whined softly in my mind, satisfied in a way that made my human side burn with shame.

Alpha or not, Thorne Grey had no right to storm into my life this way, to turn everything upside down with his presence, his touch, his kiss. And I had no right to want him still, after everything.

Yet as I sat there in my disheveled clothes, in my apartment that suddenly felt foreign and cold, I couldn't deny the truth that terrified me most: part of me—the wolf I'd fought so hard to control—had welcomed his claim.