The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 219

Freya’s POV

By evening, I was physically and emotionally drained. Emma found me at my desk, sketching preliminary ideas for Jasper's jewelry commission.

"My place for dinner?" she suggested. "Actually, there's someone who wants to see you."

"Who?"

"Julie. Professor Hunter. She's at my apartment now—she's been worried sick since she saw the news."

"I don't know, Emma..."

"She came all the way from the Academy, Freya. She cares about you."

I sighed, nodding in defeat. "Alright."

Emma's apartment was in a modest Beta residential complex in the cultural district. As soon as she opened the door, I was enveloped in the comforting scent of herbal tea and fresh bread—scents I associated with Julie's classroom.

The woman herself rose from Emma's sofa, her silver-streaked hair pulled into a neat bun, her eyes bright with emotion. "Freya," she breathed, opening her arms.

I stepped into her embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of chalk and paper and herbs that always clung to her. "Professor Hunter."

"Julie, please," she corrected, holding me at arm's length to examine me. "Let me look at you."

I stood awkwardly under her scrutiny, seeing myself through her eyes—thinner than before, shadows beneath my eyes, the wariness of exile still evident in my posture.

"You've been through so much," she said softly.

We settled around Emma's dining table, sharing a simple meal of roast chicken and vegetables. Julie spoke of the Academy, of her students, of changes in the design world. Normal conversation that felt surreal after everything that had happened.

"Your work at Stone Group has been exceptional," Julie said, refilling my wine glass. "Emma shows me your designs. You've developed a distinctive style—strong yet delicate."

I smiled, warmed by her praise. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you."

Julie's expression grew serious. "I was devastated when I heard about your exile. None of us could believe it." She reached for my hand. "And then to see those photos of you and Alpha Grey..."

I tensed, shooting Emma a desperate look.

"Julie," Emma interrupted smoothly, "Freya doesn't want to discuss that. It was all a misunderstanding. Alpha Grey simply helped her when she fell ill."

Julie's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see." Her gaze dropped to my neck, and I instinctively touched the spot where the pendant should have been. "You're not wearing the pendant I sent you."

My heart stuttered. The silver crescent moon pendant had been based on my own design from my academy days, which Julie had finally crafted into reality and sent to me through Jasper just days ago. A pendant Thorne had ripped from my neck in his jealous rage.

"I... I keep it safe at home," I lied. "After everything that's happened, I was worried about losing it."

Julie looked unconvinced. "But you loved the design. You said it reminded you of your family's birthmark, and that's why you created it in the first place."

An uncomfortable silence fell. Emma cleared her throat. "Freya's had pneumonia, Julie. She's still recovering."

Julie nodded, but her eyes remained shrewd. "I worked so hard to get that made for you. I wanted you to have something from your past, something that represented your talent before exile." She sighed. "I had to call in several favors to get Alpha Stone to deliver it to you, you know."

I felt a pang of guilt for lying about the pendant's whereabouts. "I appreciate everything you did to get it to me. It means more than you know. I'll... I'll start wearing it again when things settle down."

Julie nodded, but her eyes remained shrewd. "The news reports suggested there's something between you and Alpha Thorne. Is that true, Freya?"

"No," I said firmly. "Absolutely not. He was simply fulfilling his Alpha duty to help an ill wolf."

"Freya actually has someone new in her life," Emma blurted out.

I stared at her in shock.

"Miles Everett," Emma continued, ignoring my wide-eyed panic. "You remember him, don't you, Julie? He was a good friend of Freya when she was a child."

Julie's expression brightened. "Miles? The doctor? Oh, that's wonderful news!" She turned to me. "He always had a soft spot for you, even when you were too busy mooning over Thorne Grey to notice."

I managed a weak smile, too stunned to contradict the lie. "Yes, well... it's still new."

"How lovely," Julie said, beaming. "Young love. When can I meet him as your mate?"

"It's not quite that serious yet," I hedged.

"But it will be," Emma added with false confidence. "They're perfect together."

The conversation mercifully shifted to other topics, but the damage was done. I'd have to maintain this charade now, at least around Julie. One more lie in a life already built on deception.

---

In Emma's car after dinner, I finally exhaled. "Miles Everett? Really? That was your brilliant solution?"

Emma laughed, steering through the quiet streets. "It worked, didn't it? She completely bought it."

"Until she wants to meet my supposed mate!"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Emma glanced at me. "Besides, it's not like Miles would mind pretending. He's clearly interested in you."

I groaned, sinking lower in my seat. "This is a disaster."

"No, a disaster is what happens if Julie finds out you're still tangled up with Thorne Grey." Emma's voice grew serious. "Speaking of which, what happened to that pendant she gave you? You never took it off before."

I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past. "Thorne took it."

"He TOOK it? Why?"

"Jealousy. Possessiveness. Take your pick." I rubbed my neck where the pendant used to rest. "It meant a lot to me. It was one of the few things I managed to keep during exile."

Emma was quiet for a moment. "Are you going to ask for it back?"

I considered this. The pendant was more than jewelry—it was a connection to my past, to the person I'd been before everything fell apart. "I think I have to," I said finally. "But that means contacting Thorne directly."

"Is that wise?"

"Probably not." I smiled grimly. "But when have I ever chosen the wise path?"