The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 216

Freya’s POV

Jasper went completely still, the way wolves do before they pounce. "Excuse me?"

"I'm resigning," I continued, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "My reputation would damage your company. You must have seen the news yesterday? The photos, the comments..." I swallowed hard, remembering the vicious speculation online. "A former exile now linked romantically with Alpha Thorne—that's not the kind of publicity Stone Group needs. I'll return the apartment and compensate you for any outstanding rent."

Jasper laughed, the sound sharp and humorless. "Do you really think it's that simple, Freya?"

Something in his tone made my skin prickle with unease. "What do you mean?"

"Your employment contract," he said, walking toward me with measured steps. "When you signed on, there was a special clause... just for you." He stopped barely an arm's length away. "Early termination requires payment of thirty million moon silver coins."

The blood drained from my face. "Thirty million? That's impossible. That's—"

"Insurance," Jasper supplied smoothly. "To ensure your unique talents wouldn't suddenly find their way to Grey family."

"That's illegal," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Even an Alpha can't force a wolf to remain in a non-birth pack against their will. It violates Pack Covenant Law."

Jasper shrugged, unconcerned. "Sue me. Oh wait—" His smile was all teeth. "You'd need an advocate from the Moon Crescent Court for that, and which judge would side with an exile against an Alpha?"

My mind raced, searching for options, finding none. Even if I could somehow prove the contract clause was illegal, the process would take months, possibly years.

"Besides," Jasper continued, his tone softening slightly, "why leave at all? Why does Miss Riley need to disappear?" He circled me slowly, his presence overwhelming in the confined space of my apartment. "At Stone Group, you're Mia Potter. A normal, talented Beta designer with no connection to Thorne Grey. The company won't suffer for your presence."

I felt my resolve weakening. In truth, I had nowhere else to go, no other way to support myself while searching for my brother. And my designs for the upcoming collection were almost complete...

"Would I still be able to look for my brother?" I asked, hating how uncertain my voice sounded.

Jasper nodded, sensing my capitulation. "Take all the time you need. As long as your projects are completed on schedule, I don't care what you do with your personal time."

He moved toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. "Think about it. No rush. When you've made your decision, let me know."

 ---

Thorne's POV

The night air in my study was thick with tension as I reviewed the surveillance footage on my phone. The screen showed Everett's car pulling up to Freya's apartment building, followed by her exit from the passenger side. Even in the grainy night vision footage, I could see she was wearing his jacket. Something primal and possessive twisted inside me at the sight.

The second video clip showed Stone leaving the same building thirty minutes later, his expression unreadable but his posture radiating satisfaction. My fingers tightened around the phone, nearly cracking the screen.

She'd barely left my sight, and already two male wolves had circled her—one from my own pack and one from a rival territory. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, agitated by what it perceived as direct challenges to my claim.

"But is she really yours to claim?" a voice in my head taunted. After everything that had happened, all the pain I'd inadvertently caused her, did I have any right to feel this territorial?

A knock at the door interrupted my brooding. "Enter," I called, locking my phone and setting it aside.

The door opened to reveal Kaelin, carrying a small dessert box. She was dressed immaculately as always, her honey-blonde hair pulled back in a sophisticated twist. The scent of baked goods and her familiar jasmine perfume filled the room.

"I thought you might want something sweet," she said, setting the box on my desk and opening it to reveal perfectly decorated pastries. "It's my special recipe—I haven't made these in ages. Try one, Thorne, tell me if they're still good."

I made no move toward the offered dessert. "What brings you here, Kaelin? You were discharged from the hospital?"

"If I don't get out of the hospital, everyone will think I'm not worthy of being your Luna." Her smile faltered slightly before she recovered. "Can't I simply want to see you? You've been so busy lately."

"Busy investigating who leaked my photos online," I said bluntly, watching her face for any reaction. There was none—just the perfect mask of concern she'd perfected over the years.

"That sounds dreadful," she murmured, moving around my desk to stand closer. "You work too hard, Thorne. You should let Edith come back to take care of things here. She knows all your habits."

"Edith won't be returning," I said, leaning back in my chair to maintain distance between us. "In fact, I'm dismissing several of the Beta staff from the estate."

Kaelin's eyes widened slightly. "But they've served your family for years. Why would you—"

"Because I need wolves around me whose loyalty is beyond question," I interrupted. "Recent events have made me reassess who I can truly trust."

A flicker of something—apprehension, perhaps—crossed her features before disappearing. She changed tactics, perching on the edge of my desk and leaning slightly forward.

"Have you found her?" she asked, her voice deliberately casual. "Riley, I mean."

I studied her, remembering what Freya had told me in Everett's apartment—that Kaelin had visited her hospital room, threatened her, and admitted to leaking the photo. I could confront her now, expose her lies... but something held me back. If Kaelin realized I knew the truth, what might she do next?

"She seems to have learned to cover her tracks," I said instead, revealing nothing of our morning encounter. "But I'll find her eventually."

"I'm sure you will," Kaelin said, her voice soft. "You always get what you want in the end, don't you?"

There was something in her tone—a thread of bitterness beneath the sweetness—that caught my attention. Before I could analyze it further, she stood and smoothed her skirt.

"I should go. It's late, and you clearly have a lot on your mind." She leaned forward as if to kiss my cheek, but I turned slightly, causing her lips to brush the air instead. If she noticed the deliberate evasion, she didn't show it.

At the door, she paused. "Thorne, you don't seem to like me anymore, do you?"

I didn't answer. I simply held her gaze, my expression carefully neutral as seconds stretched into uncomfortable silence. Her smile wavered, and she opened her mouth to press further.

Before she could speak, I rose from my chair, straightening to my full height. "It's late, Kaelin. I need to rest."

The dismissal was unmistakable. Her eyes flashed with hurt before that perfect mask slipped back into place.

"Of course," she murmured, backing into the hallway. "Good night, Thorne."

I closed the door firmly behind her, listening to her retreating footsteps. I never liked you, Kaelin, I thought, returning to my desk. You and I both know that.