The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 47

Freya's POV

I looked around, finally registering that I was indeed in what must be Thorne's private bedroom suite. The space was elegant but masculine, dominated by dark woods and deep blues. The bed I lay in was enormous, the sheets carrying his scent.

"I don't understand," I said, trying to ignore how my body responded to his proximity. "Why bring me here instead of... wherever the staff sleeps?"

"This was closer, and your condition required immediate attention." His tone was clinical, but something in his expression seemed almost... concerned? No, that couldn't be right. His eyes dropped briefly to my lips before returning to meet my gaze. "Dr. Maloy says you haven't been eating properly. Care to explain why?"

I lowered my gaze, embarrassed by my weakness. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Alpha Thorne. It won't happen again." I couldn't help noticing the rumpled bedding where I had gripped it in my nightmare, evidence of my loss of control.

"That's not an answer, Freya." His use of my first name sent a shiver through me. "Why haven't you been eating?"

"I've been eating what I was given," I replied carefully, not wanting to get anyone in trouble but unwilling to lie.

Thorne's jaw tightened, a muscle working in his cheek. "And that was?"

"Whatever was left after the rest of the staff had their meals." I kept my tone neutral, stating facts rather than complaining. "Usually cold and... not much of it."

He cursed under his breath, his eyes flashing gold again. "That will be addressed. It was never my intention for you to be starved."

"Just humiliated?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. I watched his face harden, his shoulders tensing.

"You need to rest. Dr. Maloy says three days minimum before you can return to work." Thorne's voice was clipped, but his eyes lingered on me, moving from my face down to where the sheet covered my body.

"I can't stay here. In your room, I mean." The thought of occupying Thorne's personal space made my wolf anxious in ways I didn't want to examine. His scent was everywhere, surrounding me, infiltrating my senses. Every breath I took filled me with him.

"You'll stay where I tell you to stay," he replied, standing up. "This is my house, my territory, and you are under my authority."

"What about Terra? Did you release her as promised?" I searched his face for any hint of truth.

A flicker of something—surprise?—crossed his face before his expression became unreadable again. "The Frontier Guards are still investigating the attack at Moon Howl. When they've concluded their investigation, Ms. Thompson will be dealt with accordingly."

"Rest, Freya." His voice softened slightly, losing some of its edge. He reached out as if to touch my face, then stopped himself, his hand falling back to his side. "You're no good to anyone in this condition."

Before I could respond, he turned and walked to the door. "I'll have Edith bring you dinner and medication. You're to stay in this room until Dr. Maloy clears you to move."

With that, he left, closing the door behind him with a soft click. I found myself staring at the door, aware of the lingering tension in the air, thick with his scent and unspoken words.

I sank back against the pillows, my mind racing despite my body's exhaustion. The nightmare still lingered at the edges of my consciousness, but what disturbed me more was how real that kiss had felt. My lips still tingled, as though Thorne's mouth had actually been on mine, not just in my dreams.

My hand reached for my phone on the nightstand, relief washing over me when I found it there. I stared at Terra's contact information, my finger hovering over the call button. If Terra had been arrested because of me, reaching out might only make things worse for her. But if she was free, I needed to know she was safe.

After a moment's hesitation, I put the phone down. If Terra was free, she would contact me when it was safe. If she was still being held... my reaching out might associate her further with me, an exile who had clearly angered the Alpha judge.

The prudent course was to wait for her to make contact first. It was the only way to protect her from any fallout of my complicated relationship with Thorne Grey.

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An hour later, there was a soft knock at the door, and Edith entered carrying a tray. Her demeanor was markedly different from earlier interactions—subdued, almost apologetic.

"Alpha Thorne instructed me to bring your dinner and medication, Ms. Riley," she said, placing the tray on the bedside table. The meal was simple but plentiful: a bowl of hearty stew, fresh bread, and sliced fruit.

"Thank you, Edith," I replied, somewhat warily.

She hesitated, then spoke in a rush: "I owe you an apology, Ms. Riley. I misunderstood Alpha Thorne's intentions regarding your position here. I thought..." She trailed off, seemingly embarrassed.

"You thought he wanted you to make my life miserable on Kaelin's behalf," I finished for her.

Edith nodded, looking uncomfortable. "It was wrong of me to assume. An Alpha's orders should be followed exactly, not interpreted based on... personal feelings."

I studied her face, seeing genuine regret there. Not for how she'd treated me, perhaps, but for disappointing her Alpha. "I understand. You were loyal to Miss Brooks."

"The medicine is from Dr. Maloy," she continued, pointing to two pills beside a glass of water. "For the moon heat and to help with your nutritional deficiencies. Alpha Thorne was... quite insistent that you take them immediately."

I nodded, reaching for the pills. "And after I recover?"

"You'll return to regular duties, but with proper meals and rest periods," Edith replied. "Alpha Thorne was very clear about that."

After she left, I ate slowly, savoring the first hot meal I'd had in days. The medicine left a bitter aftertaste, but I could feel its effects almost immediately—a warming sensation spreading through my limbs, easing the ache in my muscles.

For three days, I remained in Thorne's room, though he never returned to sleep there. I was attended by Edith and occasionally other staff members, all of whom treated me with a careful politeness that was neither friendly nor hostile. Dr. Maloy visited twice, checking my progress and adjusting my medication.

By the third night, I felt strong enough to move around the room freely. I stood by the window, looking out at the moonlight bathing the estate grounds in silver. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, responding to the moon's pull, stronger now than it had been in days.

"Time to go back to work," I murmured to myself, turning away from the window.

I changed into the fresh uniform that had been left for me—the same gray dress all female Beta staff wore, but clean and properly fitted. As I made my way down the grand staircase, I felt the eyes of other staff members following me, curious about my status after being treated in the Alpha's own room.

Edith met me at the bottom of the stairs, her expression neutral. "Alpha Thorne said you should start with kitchen duties once you're recovered. Less physically demanding than housekeeping."

I nodded, following her through the corridor toward the kitchen. The moonlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. As we turned a corner, I stopped abruptly, my breath catching at the sight of a familiar figure standing in the hallway ahead.

When they turned to face me, I felt my eyes widen in recognition, a surge of emotion making my voice catch in my throat.