The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 49

Freya’s POV

She seemed about to say more when a crash from the adjacent pantry startled us both. Martha quickly released my hands and returned to her vegetables.

"That's probably just Thomas," she said loudly. "He's always dropping things when he delivers the produce."

I followed her lead, resuming my careful dicing of the onions. My mind raced with the new information about my family. They were alive—at least, they had been. And Ethan had tried to save what he could before disappearing. It wasn't much, but it was more than I'd known yesterday.

We worked side by side for another hour, falling into a rhythm that reminded me of happier days. Martha taught me the kitchen's organization system and showed me where various supplies were kept. Though I was technically here as a servant, Martha treated me with the same respectful affection she always had, addressing me as "Miss Freya" whenever we were alone.

The kitchen gradually filled with delicious aromas as Martha prepared what appeared to be an elaborate lunch. "Special guest today," she explained when she caught me eyeing the fancy dishes. "Alpha Thorne's intended."

My stomach twisted at the reminder of Kaelin's place in Thorne's life. "I see," I said stiffly.

Martha's expression was knowing. "You should probably make yourself scarce when she arrives," she advised quietly. "Miss Brooks has... strong opinions about the staff."

Before I could respond, a female voice echoed down the hallway—a voice I recognized instantly, one that haunted my nightmares.

"Thorne? Where are you hiding? I've brought the most wonderful gift from Daddy's territory!"

I froze, my hand tightening around the knife I was holding. Kaelin Brooks was here, in the mansion. My wolf stirred anxiously beneath my skin, sensing the proximity of the woman who had orchestrated my downfall.

Martha noticed my reaction and quickly took the knife from my hand. "Go through the back stairs," she whispered urgently. "Second floor, third door on the left is a linen closet. You can wait there until she's gone."

I nodded gratefully and turned to leave, but Edith appeared in the doorway, her expression disapproving.

"Miss Brooks has arrived for lunch with Alpha Thorne," she announced. "Martha, is everything prepared?"

"Yes, Mrs. Edith," Martha replied smoothly. "The first course will be ready to serve in ten minutes."

Edith's gaze shifted to me, and her lips thinned. "You," she said, pointing at me. "Come with me. There are tasks that need attention upstairs."

I followed Edith out of the kitchen, relief washing over me at the narrow escape. The last thing I needed was a confrontation with Kaelin Brooks while I was still recovering.

As we climbed the stairs, Edith spoke without looking at me. "Miss Brooks is here," she said unnecessarily. "You'd do well to stay out of her sight."

"I have no desire to see her," I assured her.

Edith stopped on the landing, turning to face me. "Good. Alpha Thorne has been... most accommodating to you, but Miss Brooks would not appreciate finding you here. She's still not fully recovered from what you did to her."

I bit back the retort that rose to my lips. Arguing about my innocence would get me nowhere with Edith, who clearly believed the official version of events.

We reached the second floor, and Edith directed me toward a storage closet. "Clean and organize this," she instructed. "It should keep you occupied until Miss Brooks has departed."

I nodded and opened the closet door, ready to lose myself in mindless work. But as Edith turned to leave, another staff member—a young female Beta I recognized as one of the upstairs maids—approached us hurriedly.

"Mrs. Edith!" she called. "There's a situation in the Blue Room. One of the guests from yesterday left behind some personal items, and Alpha Thorne wants them packaged and ready for courier immediately."

Edith sighed. "Very well, Lucy. I'll handle it." She turned back to me. "Get started here. I'll check your progress later."

After Edith left, Lucy lingered, eyeing me with undisguised contempt. "So you're the exile," she said, her voice low and mocking. "The one who tried to kill Miss Brooks."

I kept my face expressionless. "I'm here to work," I said neutrally. "Just like you."

Lucy stepped closer, her lip curling. "You don't really think Alpha Thorne letting you rest in his room for a few days means you're any better than the rest of us servants, do you?" Her eyes gleamed with malice. "Everyone's talking about it—how you collapsed in the garden and he carried you to his private rooms. What did you do to earn that special treatment, I wonder?"

Heat rushed to my face, both from embarrassment and anger. "I didn't ask for special treatment," I replied evenly. "And I certainly didn't do anything to 'earn' it, as you're implying."

Lucy scoffed. "We'll see. Miss Brooks is Alpha Thorne's intended mate. She's beautiful, well-bred, and from a loyal family. You're nothing but a disgraced exile with a silver mark on your neck." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Know your place, exile. You'll never be anything more than a servant in this house."

With that parting shot, she flounced away, leaving me standing in the hallway with my fists clenched at my sides. The moon-silver mark on my neck throbbed with a dull ache, as if responding to my agitation.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the storage closet and closed the door behind me, grateful for the momentary solitude. I leaned against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart and the angry growl building in my throat.

"Focus on what matters", I reminded myself. "Martha is here. She knows about your family. This is more information than you've had in three years."

I set to work organizing the cluttered closet, sorting linens by size and type, all while straining my ears for any sound from downstairs. The thought of Kaelin Brooks sitting with Thorne, sharing a meal and conversation, sent an uncomfortable twist through my stomach that I refused to acknowledge as jealousy.