The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 229

Freya’s POV

"Mother—" Jasper began to protest, his voice rising slightly.

Elena held up a hand, silencing him instantly. "Pack law is not to be trifled with, Alpha Stone. You, more than anyone, should know that." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "In this matter, the greatest fault lies with you."

I watched Jasper's jaw tighten, the muscle there jumping as he restrained himself from arguing with his mother. Even an Alpha had to respect certain authorities, and in family matters, Elena clearly held sway.

"I completely understand, Mrs. Stone," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the tears threatening to form. I needed to leave with my dignity intact.

"Thank you for your kindness these past few days," I continued, "and for defending me just now."

I turned slightly toward Jasper. "And thank you, Alpha Stone, for the employment opportunity."

Rising from my seat, I added quietly, "I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused."

With that, I walked away from the table, my posture erect and my steps measured. Only when I was safely in the taxi did I allow my composure to crack, a single tear sliding down my cheek as I gave the driver my address.

Back at the apartment, I methodically packed my few possessions. The process was quick—I'd never accumulated much since my exile. Everything I owned still fit into two medium-sized bags.

I paused when I came to my jewelry design sketches for the Moonstone Collection. My fingers hovered over them, uncertain. Finally, I decided to leave them behind for Stone Group. It was the right thing to do, even if my heart ached at abandoning the project.

A knock at the door interrupted my packing. I didn't need to scent the air to know who it was—the commanding Alpha presence on the other side of the door was unmistakable.

When I opened it, Jasper stood there, his eyes filled with regret. He looked unusually disheveled, as if he'd run his hands through his hair repeatedly. His normally immaculate appearance was gone, replaced by a vulnerability I'd never seen in him before.

"May I come in?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.

I stepped aside, allowing him to enter. He looked around at my partially packed bags, his expression darkening. His breathing quickened, and I could see the muscles in his neck tense.

"Please don't go," he said without preamble, the words coming out rushed. His eyes darted from my bags to my face, a hint of panic breaking through his Alpha composure.

I shook my head. "I should be the one apologizing, Jasper. I never should have agreed to this deception. Your mother has been nothing but kind to me, and I repaid her with lies."

"She'll come around," Jasper insisted, moving closer. "Just give her time to adjust to the idea. I can talk to her again tomorrow. She always listens to me eventually." The words tumbled out quickly, his usual measured speech abandoned.

I continued folding a sweater, keeping my hands busy to avoid looking at the raw emotion in his eyes. "I've typed up notes on all my current projects. Everything can be transferred to other designers without any disruption."

"Freya, stop." His voice broke slightly on my name.

"Please tell Emma I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly," I continued, ignoring his interruption. "She's been a good friend and mentor."

Jasper stepped forward, placing his hand over mine to still my movements. "At least wait until tomorrow. Let me arrange things properly." His fingers trembled slightly against mine, betraying his distress.

I pulled my hand away gently. "I can't bring more trouble to your pack, Jasper. Your mother is right—I'm an exile. My presence here is a liability."

"I don't care about that," he said fiercely, his eyes flashing with sudden intensity. "Don't you understand? I've never cared about your status."

Before I could react, he moved forward and pulled me into his embrace. His Alpha scent enveloped me. My wolf, always responsive to Alpha pheromones, quieted momentarily in his arms.

"Do you know how much I've changed?" he murmured against my hair, his voice raw with emotion. "I've never felt this way about any wolf. Not once." His arms tightened around me, as if he could physically prevent me from leaving. "When I first hired you, it was for your talent. But now... now I can't imagine Stone Group without you. I can't imagine my days without seeing you."

I stood frozen in his embrace, my heart hammering against my ribs. His sincerity was unmistakable, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel what it would be like—to be wanted, to be protected by an Alpha like Jasper.

"Stay with me," he pleaded, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. "I can protect you, even against Grey Moon Pack—even against Thorne Grey himself."

At the mention of Thorne, my chest tightened again. Would I ever escape his shadow? The pain and anger surged again—the unfairness of how he'd treated me, how he seemed determined to haunt me even now.

Jasper must have sensed my inner turmoil. His hand came up to cup my cheek gently. "He won't touch you again. I promise you that."

His words were both terrifying and tempting. The offer of protection from an Alpha was not something any wolf—especially an exile—would dismiss lightly.

But I knew it was impossible.

Gently, I pushed against his chest, creating space between us. "Thank you, Jasper," I said softly. "But I can't accept."

His face fell, genuine hurt flashing in his eyes. "Why not? Is it..." he swallowed hard, "is it because of him? Because of Grey?"

"No," I answered honestly. "This isn't about Thorne."

"Then what?" He grabbed my hands, holding them between his. "Tell me what I need to do. I'll do anything, Freya."

The desperation in his voice made my heart ache. I'd never seen the proud Alpha so unguarded, so vulnerable.

"We have no future," I explained, my voice gentle but firm. "You're the Alpha of Silverstone Pack. I'm an exiled Grey Moon wolf. Our worlds don't mesh."

"I can change that," he insisted, his grip tightening. "I have power, influence. I can challenge the exile laws."

I shook my head. "No, Jasper. Some boundaries can't be crossed, no matter how much we might wish otherwise." I squeezed his hands before releasing them. "You've already done more for me than anyone has in years. You gave me work, purpose, dignity. I'll always be grateful for that."

His eyes searched mine, looking for any sign of wavering. "Freya, please. At least think about it overnight."

"My mind is made up," I said softly but firmly. "This is for the best—for both of us."

I reached for my bags, lifting them from the bed. I took one last look around the apartment that had been my temporary haven.

"Goodbye, Jasper," I said quietly, and walked past him to the door.