The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 210

Thorne's POV

I entered the main living room of Grey Manor well after midnight, finding my father and Elder Jameson, the Council Chairman, sitting across from each other. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across their faces from the crackling fireplace—the only source of light in the otherwise darkened space. The air was thick with tension—my father's scent carried notes of anger and disappointment, while the Chairman's was carefully controlled, betraying nothing.

"Father, Chairman," I acknowledged them both with a slight nod.

My father's eyes narrowed, the firelight highlighting the silver streaks in his hair and the hard lines of his face. Alexander Grey had been Alpha of the Grey Moon Pack for thirty years before passing the mantle to me five years ago, but his presence still commanded respect—and occasionally, fear.

"Everything I've told you has gone in one ear and out the other, hasn't it?" he snapped, not bothering with pleasantries. "Why are you once again entangled with that Riley girl? And photographed carrying her, no less!"

The Chairman's gaze flicked between us, observing our interaction with the calculated neutrality that had made him effective in his role for decades.

"I said I would fulfill my responsibilities to Kaelin as her Alpha," I replied evenly. "I haven't gone back on my word."

My father's fist came down on the arm of his chair. "That's not an answer, Thorne. Where is the Riley girl now? Half the pack is talking about how you carried her into the hospital yourself."

"I don't know where she is," I stated truthfully, though it pained me to admit it. "She left the hospital sometime tonight."

"You won't need to go to Moon Crescent Court for the next few days," the Chairman said. "I've assigned your cases to other judges."

My head snapped up. "On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that your judgment appears compromised," my father cut in before the Chairman could answer. "The Council is concerned about your recent behavior."

"My behavior?" I repeated, struggling to maintain my composure. "I protected a citizen of Moon Bay who was being targeted because of her past. That's my job as Alpha."

"Your job," my father said, his voice dangerously low, "is to maintain order and uphold our traditions. The binding ceremony with Kaelin Brooks is barely two weeks away, yet you're carrying another female—an exile—through the streets of Moon Bay for all to see."

I felt my wolf rising to the surface, challenging my father's implied criticism. "If you're suggesting I should have left her to die—"

"No one is suggesting that," the Chairman interjected smoothly. "But there are protocols, Thorne. You could have sent one of your Betas to assist her."

The implication was clear: I had acted personally where I should have remained detached. They were right, of course, but I couldn't bring myself to regret it.

"Take this time to reflect on your priorities," my father said, rising to his feet. "And to find a way to contain the damage to your reputation. The pack needs to see their Alpha focused on his duties, not distracted by... complications."

I knew better than to argue further. With a stiff nod, I excused myself, my mind already racing with what I needed to do next.

---

The cool night air did little to calm my raging thoughts as I strode toward my SUV parked at the front of the estate. Mark was waiting beside it, his posture alert as always.

"I need to resolve this mess," I told him, my voice tight with frustration. "Start with finding out who leaked that photo."

Mark nodded, his expression grim. "Alpha, the Elder Council Chairman came as well? Looks like this situation has escalated significantly."

I paused, studying Mark's face. He had been my most trusted Beta since I took over as Alpha, and his loyalty had never wavered. "My father seems unusually invested in making sure I stay away from Freya."

"About the online post," Mark said carefully, "the information came to me from Elder Alexander's security team first. They notified me before the post gained significant traction."

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting?"

Mark hesitated, choosing his words with care. "It's just that... with his resources and authority, your father could have had that post removed before it spread. As a former Alpha and Elder Council member, he has override privileges on all pack communication channels."

The implication hung in the air between us. I considered it, my jaw tightening. "He's using this as a warning. A reminder that I should focus on the binding ceremony and Grey family honor."

"It seems possible," Mark agreed quietly.

I ran a hand through my hair, mentally piecing together the sequence of events. My father had always been obsessed with the Grey family's reputation and standing within the pack. The binding with Kaelin would cement our alliance with the Brooks family, consolidating our power base.

"Still, we need to find out who actually took that photograph and posted it," I said finally. "Even if my father allowed it to spread, someone had to capture the image in the first place."

Mark nodded. "I've already got people working on it. We should have answers soon."

I leaned against the car, suddenly feeling the weight of the past few days. "What about Freya? Any news?"

"I've tracked Dr. Everett's movements," Mark reported. "He took Ms. Riley to his temporary residence—an apartment in the Moon Light District. It's relatively secure and private."

The knowledge that Freya was with Miles Everett made my wolf growl internally. Miles had always had feelings for Freya, even when we were young. The thought of her alone with him, vulnerable and ill...

"Should we go get her now?" Mark asked, reading my expression.

I checked my watch, noting the late hour. As much as I wanted to see Freya, to make sure she was safe, I knew she needed rest more than anything.

"No," I decided reluctantly. "Let her rest tonight. We'll go find her tomorrow."