The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 38

Freya's POV

I stood frozen in the grand entryway of Grey Estate as the elderly Beta housekeeper, Edith, surveyed me with carefully neutral eyes. My wolf curled tight within me, tail tucked between her legs at the public humiliation Thorne had just inflicted. The words still rang in my ears: "Miss Riley will be joining the household staff as our newest maid."

Not a guest. Not even a prisoner with dignity. A maid—the lowest position in an Alpha's household.

Thorne had already disappeared up the sweeping marble staircase, leaving me to face the aftermath of his pronouncement alone. The scent of his departure lingered in the air, pine and authority fading as he removed himself from this uncomfortable scene.

"Well then," Edith said with perfect professional courtesy, "Alpha Thorne has given his orders. Follow me, Miss Riley, and I'll introduce you to the rest of the staff." Her tone was polite but measured, betraying nothing of her thoughts while we remained in the main hall where Thorne might overhear.

But the moment we turned the corner, out of sight and earshot of the staircase, her demeanor changed like a winter frost settling over autumn leaves. Her spine stiffened, and her gaze when it turned to me held none of the professional courtesy she'd displayed moments before.

"Let's be clear about something, Riley," she said, her voice now carrying an edge sharp enough to cut. "I don't know what game you're playing, getting Alpha Thorne to bring you here, but I remember exactly what you did to Miss Kaelin."

I opened my mouth to protest, but she silenced me with a cutting gesture.

"I've cared for Miss Kaelin since she was a pup. I watched her suffer after your attack." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Whatever Alpha Thorne's reasons for bringing you here, you'll find no allies among the staff. Now, follow me."

I followed her through the sprawling main floor of the mansion, my footsteps echoing on marble floors that I once dreamed of walking across as Thorne's mate, not his servant. My muscles ached from my injuries, but I forced myself to keep pace.

We entered a large kitchen where several wolves busied themselves with evening preparations. The chatter immediately died as we entered, and all eyes turned to me. I caught the flicker of recognition in a few gazes—older staff members who had known me in my previous life. But most were unfamiliar faces, likely hired after my exile.

"Everyone," Edith announced, her voice carrying the weight of her Beta status, "this is Freya Riley. By Alpha Thorne's command, she will be joining our staff as a maid, effective immediately."

The silence that followed was deafening. Then whispers began, low enough that a human wouldn't catch them, but crystal clear to my wolf ears.

"Riley? As in the disgraced Riley family?"

"No, look at her neck—she's an exile. Alpha brought an exile into his home?"

"Why would Alpha bring her here instead of sending her back to the Wilds?"

I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, my cheeks burning with humiliation. My wolf wanted to snarl, to defend our honor, but I suppressed the urge. These wolves didn't know me. They didn't know my story. All they saw was a ragged exile who had somehow caught the Alpha's attention.

"She'll begin immediately," Edith continued, adding with unmistakable coldness, "She is to be treated as any new staff member of the lowest rank. No special considerations." Her emphasis made it clear this was more than just a staffing announcement—it was a warning not to show me any kindness. "Marina, prepare a uniform for her."

A plump Beta woman with kind eyes approached with reluctance, holding out a faded gray dress that had clearly seen better days. Unlike the crisp black uniforms the other staff wore, this one was threadbare in places, the fabric rough and discolored.

"This is all we have available at the moment," Marina said, not quite meeting my eyes.

I took the garment without comment. The message was clear: I wasn't worthy of a proper uniform.

"Follow me," Edith said, turning on her heel. "I'll show you where you'll be staying."

---

She led me through a narrow service corridor and down a flight of stairs to what appeared to be the servants' wing. We passed several small but decent rooms where I glimpsed neatly made beds and simple furnishings. But Edith didn't stop at any of these. Instead, she continued to the very end of the hallway, opening a door that creaked on its hinges.

"This will be your quarters," she announced, pushing open the door to reveal what was essentially a glorified broom closet.

I stared at the tiny space, trying to mask my dismay. "This is..."

"Appropriate for someone of your standing," Edith finished coldly. "You should be grateful Alpha Thorne didn't put you in the shed with the gardening tools." She thrust the faded uniform into my hands. "Miss Kaelin still has nightmares, you know. She flinches when someone moves too quickly near her. That's your doing."

My wolf bristled at the accusation. "I never—"

"Save your lies," Edith cut me off. "I was there that night. I cleaned her wounds while she sobbed. Alpha Thorne may have his reasons for bringing you here, but don't mistake my professional courtesy in his presence for acceptance."

The room was barely larger than a closet, with a narrow cot pushed against one wall and a single shelf above it. A tiny window near the ceiling let in a meager amount of light, and the air smelled of dust and disuse. It was clear this space hadn't been used as living quarters in a long time.

"There's a communal bathroom at the end of the hall," Edith informed me. "Staff meals are at 5 AM, noon, and 8 PM. You'll be expected to complete your duties regardless of whether you make it to meals on time."

I nodded, clutching the uniform to my chest. "I understand."

"Change into your uniform and meet me upstairs in ten minutes," she ordered, then paused, her expression hardening further. "Let me be clear, Miss Riley. Whatever... arrangement... you had with Alpha Thorne that brought you here, it means nothing to us. Here, you are at the bottom of the pack hierarchy. You will work harder than everyone else. You will eat last. You will speak only when spoken to. And you will stay far away from Miss Kaelin if she visits. Is that understood?"

My wolf bristled at her tone, but I forced myself to nod again. "Perfectly."

After she left, I sank onto the cot, which sagged beneath my weight. The springs dug into my thighs as I stared at the peeling paint on the wall opposite me.

"This is better than a silver cage," I reminded myself. "Better than the Wilds. Better than death."