The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 251

Thorne's POV

I stood in the hospital corridor, taking deep breaths to calm the rage threatening to consume me. My wolf paced furiously beneath my skin, demanding action, demanding retribution for the lies Kaelin had spun. Three years of deception. Three years of an innocent wolf suffering because of her jealousy and manipulation.

I needed to think clearly. Acting on impulse now would only complicate matters further. The Brooks family held significant power in Moon Bay, and Edward Brooks was my father's most trusted enforcer. Any direct confrontation without sufficient evidence would create political chaos within the pack.

"Maintain the facade for now", I told myself, forcing my features into the neutral mask I'd perfected over years as Alpha and judge. "Keep collecting evidence. Don't show your hand yet."

I couldn't confront Kaelin immediately—not without more concrete proof than the word of an exile like Derek. I needed documentation of the silver treatments at Silver Shackle, records of communications between Kaelin and Derek, anything that could substantiate his claims beyond doubt.

Glancing at my watch, I noted that it was time for me to check on Kaelin and speak with Miles about her treatment. I'd play the concerned fiancé a while longer, watching for inconsistencies in her story, gathering what I needed to ensure justice would finally be served.

As I walked toward Miles's office, I passed Freya's room. I paused for a moment, my enhanced senses catching the lingering traces of her scent—wildflowers and rain—even through the antiseptic hospital smell. Something in my chest tightened. How many times had I dismissed her pleadings of innocence? How many times had I looked at her with cold judgment instead of seeing what was right in front of me?

With a deep breath, I continued down the hallway. I would make this right—but first, I needed to play this carefully.

Dr. Everett's office door was open, and I found him reviewing medical charts with a furrowed brow. He looked up as I entered, his expression shifting from concentration to wariness.

"Alpha Thorne," he acknowledged with a slight nod. "What can I do for you?"

I closed the door behind me, ensuring our conversation would remain private. "I need you to perform the silver extraction procedure on Kaelin Brooks."

Miles's eyebrows shot up, his scent immediately sharpening with surprise and a hint of indignation. "I beg your pardon, Alpha, but I must refuse."

"Excuse me?" My wolf stirred at the challenge, but I kept my voice measured.

"As a doctor, I cannot in good conscience treat someone who has caused such harm to the Riley family," he said firmly, standing his ground despite my Alpha status. "I took an oath to do no harm, but helping the woman who destroyed Freya's life feels like a violation of that principle."

I moved closer, my voice dropping low. "And what if I told you this was an Alpha command, Doctor?"

Miles straightened, a rare display of defiance from a Beta. "Then I would respectfully remind you that medical ethics supersede even an Alpha's authority. I cannot do it."

His loyalty to Freya was admirable, if inconvenient at the moment. I took a step closer, letting my voice drop further.

"What if treating Kaelin was actually for Freya's benefit?"

Confusion flickered across his face. "I don't understand."

"I have reason to believe Kaelin fabricated the charges against Freya three years ago," I said carefully. "I'm building a case, but I need time and evidence. If you help Kaelin now, you'll be keeping her close, under observation—and you can control her recovery timeline."

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "You mean..."

"I mean that she gets treatment, but perhaps not as quickly or completely as she might hope—at least not until she's been honest with me about what really happened three years ago."

Miles stared at me, shock evident in his expression. "You're asking me to deliberately delay her full recovery?"

"I'm asking you to help me get justice for Freya," I corrected. "Treat her, yes—we're not monsters. But there's no rush to restore her sight or shifting ability until we know the truth."

He studied me for a long moment, his scent fluctuating between disbelief and cautious hope. "You actually believe Freya is innocent."

It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "I'm gathering evidence to prove it. Will you help me?"

After a moment of internal struggle that played clearly across his features, he nodded slowly. "For Freya, I'll do it. But only because it might finally bring her justice."

I clasped his shoulder briefly in thanks. "I'll send for you when we're ready to begin."

As we walked toward Kaelin's medical room together, Miles glanced sideways at me. "She was one of the brightest students in the academy, you know. Before all this happened. Her designs showed such promise."

I remained silent, the weight of what I'd done—what I'd allowed to happen—pressing heavily on my shoulders.

When we reached Kaelin's room, only Kaelin and Olivia Brooks remained inside. My father and Edward must have left to attend to other matters. Kaelin's head turned at the sound of our entrance, her unseeing eyes searching.

"Thorne? Is that you?" Her voice was small, vulnerable. The silver sensitivity had heightened her other senses; she'd recognized my scent immediately.

"Yes, it's me," I confirmed, observing her carefully. The woman lying before me looked nothing like the manipulative schemer Derek had described. Her face was pale, drawn with pain, her hands trembling slightly where they rested on the blanket.

"Was Derek lying?" A momentary doubt flickered through my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. The pieces fit too perfectly, and Derek had nothing to gain by fabricating such an elaborate story.

"I've brought Dr. Everett," I continued smoothly. "He's agreed to perform the silver extraction procedure."

Olivia Brooks stood from her chair, her face contorting with anger. "That man? Absolutely not! He's Freya Riley's friend. He'll sabotage my daughter's treatment!"

"Mrs. Brooks," I responded calmly, "Dr. Everett is the most qualified physician in Moon Bay for silver toxicity cases. Your daughter deserves the best care available."

"He'll use this opportunity to hurt her!" Olivia insisted. "He'll make her suffer for Freya's sake!"

I caught the subtle shift in Kaelin's scent—a spike of fear that didn't match her mother's concern. She was afraid, but not of Miles's potential incompetence. No, she was afraid of what Freya might have told him.

"Kaelin needs to tell us exactly what happened on that boat," Miles said, stepping forward. "For proper treatment, I need to know all the details of the silver exposure."

"It's too traumatic for her right now," Olivia interjected quickly. "She needs rest, not interrogation."

But Kaelin surprised me by speaking up. "No, Mother, it's all right. I... I want to get better." She turned her face in my direction. "Thorne, it was so chaotic on that boat. I don't remember all the details. But I do know that Freya was there when I lost my sight."

Miles's heartbeat quickened slightly—he'd caught the lie as clearly as I had. Kaelin's scent had changed, that telltale sour note of deception seeping through her natural floral scent.

"And you're certain it was Freya who pushed you?" I asked softly.

Kaelin hesitated, just a fraction too long. "I... well, I felt hands on me, and then I fell. There was silver everywhere. And... and if it wasn't her, who else could it have been?"

I exchanged a quick glance with Miles.

"If that's what happened," Kaelin added quickly, her voice wavering, "but I don't want to pursue charges or anything. I just want to heal. If we must involve Freya, I... I would be willing to withdraw my statement about her pushing me. I don't want any more conflict."

The sudden shift in her position was telling. Yesterday, she'd been demanding Freya's re-exile; today, she was willing to let it go. She was backpedaling, trying to close off this line of inquiry before it revealed too much.

"That's very... forgiving of you," I remarked, watching her reactions closely.

Miles stepped forward, his clipboard in hand. "I'll need to run some tests before we begin the procedure. The sooner we start, the better your chances of full recovery."