The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 243

Freya's POV

"Are you afraid, Freya?" Thorne asked, his voice carrying across the deck.

The silver knife pressed against my throat burned like fire, its cold metal a stark contrast to the heat of my skin. I trembled, not from the physical pain, but from the weight of Thorne's gaze—so intense, so calculating. I could feel Derek's rapid heartbeat against my back, his fear manifesting as aggression.

"Y-yes," I admitted, my voice barely audible even to werewolf ears. "I'm afraid, Thorne."

Something flickered in Thorne's eyes—a primal protectiveness that made my wolf stir within me. He straightened slightly, releasing a subtle wave of Alpha pheromones that washed over the deck like a warm breeze. It wasn't aggressive, but calming, meant to reach me through the chaos.

"Trust me, Freya," he said, each word deliberate and weighted. "You will not be harmed. I won't let you be harmed."

His gaze briefly shifted to Kaelin, who was struggling against her captor's grip, her eyes wide with panic. The movement was subtle—just a fraction of a second—but it was enough. I understood his meaning immediately.

He was going to choose her. Of course he would.

Something inside me crumbled, a fragile hope I hadn't even realized I'd been nurturing. The logical part of me knew it made sense—Kaelin was his fiancée, a high-ranking Beta from a powerful family. I was just an exile, a stain on Moon Bay's perfect society. But knowing didn't make it hurt any less.

I swallowed hard, forcing my face to remain neutral even as tears threatened to spill. I wouldn't give Derek the satisfaction of seeing me break.

Derek, however, was watching Thorne's microexpressions with predatory attention. He caught the brief glance toward Kaelin and laughed—a cold, mocking sound that echoed across the water.

"Well, well," he sneered, pressing the knife closer to my skin. "Look at that. Seems the Alpha values this Brooks bitch more than you after all." His breath was hot against my ear as he whispered, "You don't know what she's done, do you?"

Across from us, Kaelin began struggling frantically against her captor. "Shut up!" she screamed at Derek, her voice shrill with panic. "SHUT UP! Don't listen to him! He's lying!"

Her reaction was telling—too desperate, too afraid. Derek's words had struck a nerve, and I could see Thorne's expression shifting as he watched her panicked response.

"What exactly am I not supposed to know?" Thorne asked, his voice deceptively calm as he shifted his attention between Derek and Kaelin.

Derek's smile widened, clearly enjoying the chaos he was creating. "How interesting," he said, looking down at me. "Your Alpha doesn't even know what his precious mate has been up to." He shook his head, a mock expression of pity crossing his face. "Riley, for what it's worth, I'm letting you off the hook. Wolf to wolf, exiles gotta stick together, right?"

With a sudden shove, he pushed me toward Thorne, causing me to stumble forward, silver chains clinking as I struggled to keep my balance. Before Thorne could reach me, Derek grabbed Kaelin from his accomplice, pulling her back against the ship's railing.

"This Brooks girl, though," he growled, "I'm taking her with me."

I stumbled forward, the momentum from Derek's push sending me toward Thorne. The silver chains restricted my movement, making every step painful and awkward. I expected to fall, but suddenly strong arms were around me, steadying me.

Thorne's scent enveloped me—metal and mint and something uniquely him. For a brief moment, I felt safe, despite the chaos around us. Then reality crashed back as Derek's voice cut through the momentary peace.

"This Brooks girl, though, I'm taking her with me."

I looked up to see Derek dragging a screaming Kaelin toward the edge of the boat. Her eyes were wide with terror, her partial shifts coming faster now—likely from the combination of fear and silver exposure.

"No one's going anywhere," a new voice called from the shadows.

Suddenly, the deck was alive with movement. Dark figures emerged from every corner of the ship—Delta wolves in tactical gear, their eyes glowing in the darkness. They had been waiting, hidden, for the perfect moment to strike. Mark, Thorne's Beta, stood at their head, his expression grim and determined.

Derek's remaining men looked around wildly, realizing they were completely surrounded. One raised his weapon, but before he could fire, a Delta wolf tackled him to the deck.

Derek, seeing his plan crumbling, grew desperate. He dragged Kaelin closer to the railing, the silver knife now at her throat. "Back off!" he shouted, his voice cracking with panic. "Or I'll cut her open right here!"

I felt Thorne tense beside me, his muscles coiling like springs ready to release. In one fluid motion, he pushed me behind him, directly into Mark's waiting arms.

"Get her clear," he ordered, not taking his eyes off Derek.

Mark nodded, pulling me away from the confrontation. I wanted to protest, to stay and help somehow, but the silver chains had sapped my strength. I could barely stand without support.

From a few yards away, I watched as Thorne advanced on Derek, his movements smooth and predatory. There was nothing human in the way he moved now—pure Alpha wolf, closing in on his prey.

"Last chance, Derek," Thorne said, his voice dropping to a dangerous register that sent shivers down my spine. "Release her. Now."

Derek's eyes darted around wildly, seeking an escape that didn't exist. With a snarl of frustration, he made his decision. He shoved Kaelin hard to one side and lunged at Thorne with the silver knife.

What happened next was almost too fast to follow. Thorne moved with supernatural speed, sidestepping the blade and catching Derek's wrist in a grip that made the bones creak audibly across the deck. With a twist and a sharp crack, the knife clattered to the deck. Derek howled in pain as Thorne slammed him down, the impact making the entire ship shudder.

Thorne stood over him, one foot pressed against Derek's throat, his eyes glowing with Alpha power. The display of dominance was absolute, primal—a reminder to everyone present of exactly who ruled this territory.

"Alpha Thorne Grey," he growled, his voice carrying across the now-silent deck. "Judge of Moon Bay. You are found guilty of kidnapping, endangering pack members, and attempted murder. Your sentence is death."

I held my breath, watching as Thorne prepared to deliver justice. Then a soft whimper caught his attention—Kaelin had collapsed against the railing, her body trembling violently, eyes unfocused. The silver exposure was clearly taking its toll on her.

"Alpha," Mark called, his voice tight with urgency. "We need to get them both to the medical center. Now."

Thorne's gaze met mine across the deck. Even in my weakened state, I held his gaze, refusing to show how much the silver had affected me. With a growl of frustration, he stepped back from Derek.

"Bind him," he ordered. "Silver restraints. He'll face formal judgment tomorrow."

Two Delta wolves moved to secure Derek, who had the good sense to remain still, recognizing how close he'd come to death.