The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 194

Freya’s POV

The next morning, I arrived at Stone Group's design department early, hoping to lose myself in work before anyone else arrived. I'd barely slept, my mind replaying the events with Thorne over and over, alternating between self-recrimination and confused longing.

"Freya? You look terrible." Emma White's voice startled me from my reverie. She stood in the doorway to my workspace, concern evident in her expression. "Did Jasper—"

"No," I cut her off quickly. "No, it wasn't Jasper. I just... didn't sleep well. Spent the night thinking about the designs."

Emma frowned, clearly not believing me. "You're pushing yourself too hard. Those injuries haven't fully healed yet."

I managed a smile that felt brittle even to me. "I'm fine, really. The designs are almost complete."

She studied me for a moment longer, then her gaze dropped to my neck. "Where's your pendant? I thought you were thrilled to have it back."

My hand automatically went to my throat, finding it bare. "I, uh, put it away. It's too valuable to wear everyday." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

"That's probably wise," Emma agreed, though her eyes remained suspicious. "Anyway, I just wanted to check if you need anything before the meeting with the suppliers."

"Meeting?" I echoed blankly.

"For the materials for the binding ceremony jewelry?" Emma prompted. "The one you insisted on attending yourself?"

"Right, of course," I nodded quickly. "What time is it again?"

"Eleven. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Perfectly fine," I assured her, gathering some sketches to look busy. "Just need my morning coffee."

Emma hesitated, then nodded. "I'll see you at eleven then."

As soon as she left, I let out a shaky breath. I couldn't tell her or anyone what had happened with Thorne. The shame of it was still too raw, too confusing. Not to mention the professional consequences if anyone discovered I'd been intimate with the client whose binding ceremony jewelry I was designing—jewelry meant to celebrate his union with another woman.

I tried to focus on the ring designs spread before me, but concentration eluded me. How could I create symbols of eternal commitment for Thorne and Kaelin after what had happened between us? Every stroke of my pencil felt like a betrayal—of myself, of professional ethics, of... something else I couldn't name.

By noon, the office had emptied for lunch break, and I remained alone with my troubled thoughts. A sudden prickling awareness made me lift my head, my wolf stirring at the approach of an Alpha presence.

For one heart-stopping moment, I thought it might be Thorne, coming back to torment me further. But the scent was different—still Alpha, but with notes of pine and leather rather than Thorne's distinctive mountain and storm scent.

A light knock on the open door confirmed my suspicions. Jasper Stone stood there, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit, his expression pleasant but guarded.

"Ms. Potter," he greeted formally. "I was hoping you might join me for lunch. There's a restaurant nearby I've been wanting to try."

My first instinct was to refuse, remembering Thorne's parting command to stay away from Jasper. But the rebellious part of me—the part that resented Thorne's presumption of ownership—made me smile and say, "That sounds lovely, Alpha Stone. Just let me gather my things."

Jasper's smile widened slightly. "Excellent. I'll wait for you in the lobby."

As I collected my purse and phone, I tried to quiet the warning voice in my head. Thorne had no right to dictate who I could see or spend time with. Besides, Jasper was my employer, and potentially my best chance at finding my family. I couldn't afford to alienate him based on Thorne's jealousy.

Still, as I rode the elevator down to meet Jasper, I couldn't help but wonder if I was making a terrible mistake.

The restaurant Jasper chose was called Lunar White, an exclusive establishment in the heart of downtown. We were immediately shown to a private dining room, the kind reserved for Alphas and elite Betas. The waitstaff, all Betas themselves, moved with the practiced deference of those accustomed to serving the powerful.

Once we were alone, Jasper studied me across the table. "You seem tense today, Freya. Is everything alright?"

I focused on the menu, avoiding his penetrating gaze. "Just busy with designs. The binding ceremony commission is... challenging."

"I can imagine," he replied, his tone neutral. "Creating symbols of eternal commitment for Grey must be quite the task."

I looked up sharply, wondering if there was a hidden meaning in his words, but his expression revealed nothing.

"Actually," I said carefully, "I wanted to ask your advice about the ring design. Given your position, you must have attended many binding ceremonies."

"Indeed I have." Jasper signaled the waiter, who poured us both water without being asked. "What aspect troubles you?"

I hesitated, formulating my question to be professional rather than personal. "The balance between tradition and modernity. Alpha Grey seems to prefer classical designs, but his... intended seems to favor more contemporary styles."

Jasper's lips quirked in a subtle smile. "A diplomatic way of saying they disagree. Not surprising."

We paused as the waiter returned to take our orders. Once he left, Jasper leaned forward slightly.

"Did Grey visit you last night after I dropped you off?" he asked directly.

I nearly choked on my water. "What makes you ask that?"

"The way you tense at the mention of his name," Jasper observed. "And the fact that your pendant is missing."

My hand went instinctively to my bare throat. "I—"

"Did he enter my company's apartment?" Jasper pressed, his voice still casual but his eyes intense.

The direct question caught me off guard. "Yes," I admitted before I could stop myself.

Something flashed in Jasper's eyes—anger, but not directed at me. "I see."

An uncomfortable silence fell between us, broken only when the waiter returned with our appetizers. I picked at my food, my appetite diminished by the memory of last night and the tension of the current conversation.

"Thorne Grey only cares about humiliating people like me," I said suddenly, needing to break the silence. "People who've been exiled. The ones he truly values are people like Kaelin Brooks."

Jasper looked surprised at my outburst, then his expression softened. "I'm sorry, Freya. That was intrusive of me."

I shook my head. "No, I—" I took a breath, trying to steady myself. "I shouldn't have said that."

The air between us felt charged with unspoken questions and statements. Jasper took a sip of his water, then changed the subject with obvious deliberation.

"I have some news that might interest you," he said. "About the Forgotten Wilds."

My heart skipped a beat. "What kind of news?"

"My people have confirmed that your family members were indeed in the section of the Wilds near Silverstone territory," Jasper said, watching me carefully. "That's why you never encountered them during your time there—you were held in Grey Moon's section."

Hope and anxiety surged through me in equal measure. "Are they still there? Have you found them?"

"Not yet, but we're close," Jasper assured me. "I've already arranged the necessary permissions for you to visit that section of the Wilds. If you wish to go, we could arrange it."

"Yes," I said immediately, not caring about potential consequences or dangers. "Yes, I want to go."

Jasper nodded, seemingly pleased by my response. "I thought you might. We'll make the arrangements."

As we finished our meal and prepared to return to the office, I couldn't help but wonder about Jasper's motives. Was he truly helping me out of kindness, or was there something more calculated in his assistance? Either way, I couldn't afford to refuse his help—not when it might lead me to my family.

Walking back to the Stone Group building, Jasper mentioned casually, "The approval for your visit comes with certain conditions. Only a small party can go, and we'll need to be accompanied by border guards."

I nodded, having expected such restrictions. "That's fine. When can we leave?"

"Tomorrow," Jasper replied. "I'll handle all the arrangements. Just focus on completing Grey's commission before then."