The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 32

Freya's POV

I watched Thorne's face as he spoke into his phone, his expression unreadable but his voice carrying the unmistakable authority that only an Alpha could possess. Every word was clipped and precise, a command rather than a request.

"Find out what's going on and have her released immediately."

Relief flooded through me as I realized he was actually going to help Terra. My wolf, which had been on edge since our confrontation began, settled slightly. As Thorne ended the call, I held out my phone toward him, the screen displaying my own number.

"Here," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "This is my number. If you need anything from me about the Moon Howl investigation, you can reach me this way." I swallowed, fighting to maintain eye contact despite every instinct telling me to look down in submission. "You've kept your end of the bargain by releasing her. I'll keep mine. I'll answer any questions or... whatever else you want to know."

I took a step backward, preparing to leave, already calculating which back alleys would provide the quickest escape from the city center. "You know how to find me if you need me."

I had barely turned when Thorne's hand shot out, capturing my wrist in a grip that wasn't painful but left no possibility of escape. My pulse jumped beneath his fingers, heat racing up my arm at his touch.

"I allowed you to leave?" His voice dropped an octave, and when I looked up, his normally grey blue eyes had taken on that golden glow that signaled his wolf was close to the surface. The scent of mint and metal intensified around us, making my knees weaken and sending an unwelcome flutter through my lower abdomen.

"The investigation into the illegal operations at the Moon Howl isn't complete," he continued, his tone deceptively soft but carrying an undercurrent of command that made my spine straighten involuntarily. "And until it is, you will remain within my sight at all times. Is that clear?"

It wasn't a question. It was an Alpha command. I wanted to argue, to tell him he had no right to keep me prisoner, but the words died in my throat. My wolf whined, caught between indignation and the instinctive need to submit to an Alpha.

Before I could formulate a response, my stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl that seemed to echo in the quiet night air. Heat rushed to my face, burning from my neck to my hairline. I hadn't eaten properly in what felt like days, surviving on adrenaline and determination.

Something in Thorne's expression shifted, the harsh lines of his face softening almost imperceptibly. He released my wrist and pulled out his phone again, but the ghost of his touch lingered on my skin, warm and unsettling.

"Cancel my next appointment," he told whoever answered. "Reschedule for tomorrow morning." He ended the call without waiting for a response and gestured toward the sleek black SUV waiting by the curb.

"You need to eat," he stated, as if it were a legal verdict rather than an observation. It wasn't concern in his voice – just practical assessment – but it still sent an unwanted warmth through my chest.

I hesitated, eyeing the vehicle with suspicion. Getting into a car with Thorne meant surrendering what little control I had left. But my stomach growled again, and I could feel the weakness in my limbs from lack of food and the strain of the past few days.

"Fine," I muttered, moving toward the SUV, hating how quickly I'd given in.

I automatically headed for the back door, but Thorne's voice stopped me.

"I'm not your driver, Freya. Sit in front."

I froze, caught off-guard by his use of my first name. It sounded different in his mouth, almost intimate, the way he lingered on the first syllable, and it made something in my chest tighten uncomfortably. Wordlessly, I changed direction and slid into the passenger seat, keeping my body as close to the door as possible.

---

Thorne entered the driver's side, and immediately the confined space filled with his scent. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, simultaneously wanting to move closer to him and flee as far as possible. I kept my breathing shallow, trying not to take in too much of his scent, but it was impossible to ignore. With each breath, I could feel my body responding – my pulse quickening, my skin growing warm, a low ache building in places I didn't want to acknowledge.

We drove in silence through the streets of Moon Bay, the city lights reflecting off the polished surfaces of the SUV's interior. I stared out the window, trying to ignore how acutely aware I was of every movement Thorne made – the way his hands gripped the steering wheel, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the occasional glance he cast in my direction that sent electricity dancing along my skin.

After about fifteen minutes, we pulled up outside New Moon, the most exclusive restaurant in Moon Bay. The building was a stunning modern structure of glass and stone, with actual moonstone embedded in the façade that gleamed with an otherworldly light under the street lamps.

"This is..." I began, then stopped myself. Three years ago, my family had a standing reservation here. We were respected, honored guests. Now I was an exile, wearing secondhand clothes and accompanied by the very Alpha who had condemned me. The contrast made my throat tight with emotion.

The valet approached, his eyes widening slightly when he recognized Thorne. He bowed his head respectfully, then did a double-take when he saw me. I could see the confusion in his eyes, the moment of recognition followed by uncertainty. But his training won out, and he maintained his professional demeanor as he took the keys from Thorne.

We entered the restaurant, and the maître d' – a sleek, silver-haired Beta – immediately rushed forward.

"Alpha Thorne, what an honor. Your usual private room is ready for you."