The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 59

Freya’s POV

Cold dread settled in my stomach. My mouth went dry again, and I swallowed hard. "If I do that, I'll be permanently exiled. No chance of ever returning."

"If you don't, he says he'll kill us both." Terra's voice trembled slightly, her eyes darting to the door where our captors had exited. "But Freya, I heard them talking. I don't think they plan to let us go either way."

I closed my eyes, processing this information. My heartbeat quickened again as the hopelessness of our situation became clear. "I already told the truth to the Crescent Court. Alpha Thorne knows I wasn't involved in the illegal trading."

"Do you think he'll come looking for you?" Terra asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

The question hung in the air between us. Would Thorne care that I was missing? Or would he assume I'd simply run away, breaking my word and confirming every low expectation he had of me? My chest tightened with an emotion I couldn't name.

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice small and uncertain.

We sat in silence for a moment, each lost in our own thoughts. Finally, I looked at Terra, really looked at her. Despite her bruises and the fear in her eyes, I saw genuine concern for me. Not pity, not calculation, but real worry. It had been so long since anyone had looked at me that way.

"Thank you, Terra," I said softly.

She blinked in confusion. "For what? Getting you kidnapped?"

"For caring. For being a friend when I needed one." My voice caught, and I had to pause to steady it. "No matter what happens, I want you to know that meant something to me."

Terra's eyes welled with tears. "We're going to get out of this, Freya. Somehow."

I nodded, though I wasn't nearly as confident. My gaze fell to the moon-silver handcuffs binding my wrists. If I could just get free of them, I might be able to access enough of my wolf to fight.

I twisted my wrists, testing the cuffs' strength. The moon-silver burned against my skin, but I ignored the pain, focusing instead on finding any weakness in the metal. My breath came in short gasps as I worked, each movement sending fresh waves of pain through my battered body.

As I worked, I became aware of a strange sensation at the base of my neck. The Riley birthmark—the crescent moon shape that marked me as a member of my bloodline—felt warm, almost tingling beneath my skin. I'd never experienced anything like it before, and I wondered if it was some kind of reaction to the moon-silver or simply my imagination.

Whatever it was, I clung to it like a lifeline—a small reminder that I was still a Riley, exile mark or not. And Rileys didn't give up without a fight.

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Third POV

In the servants' quarters of Grey Estate, Edith paced the small confines of her room, wringing her hands as anxiety coursed through her veins. The Alpha's rage had been terrifying to behold, his golden eyes promising retribution for whoever had taken Freya from his territory.

"Will you stop that infernal pacing?" Lucy snapped from where she sat on the edge of Edith's bed, examining her manicured nails with forced casualness. "You'll wear a hole in the floor."

"Do you think he believed us?" Edith whispered, her weathered face creased with worry. "He seemed to know we were lying."

Lucy scoffed, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. "He was upset, but he has no proof we had anything to do with it. We stick to our story—the exile wanted to leave, and we didn't stop her because we thought she had permission."

"But he smelled the strangers," Edith protested. "And if Freya tells him—"

"If she gets the chance to tell him anything," Lucy interrupted, her voice cold, "which isn't likely. Now calm down before your anxiety gives us both away."

Edith sank onto a chair, her shoulders slumped with the weight of guilt. "I never thought they would hurt her. Miss Kaelin said they would just take her away from Moon Bay, give her enough money to start over somewhere else."

"And you believed that?" Lucy's laugh held no humor. "Kaelin Brooks has wanted Freya Riley gone since the day she set eyes on Alpha Thorne. The only reason she's alive at all is because killing her would have raised too many questions."

Edith's eyes widened. "Surely Miss Kaelin wouldn't—"

The sharp ring of Lucy's phone cut off Edith's protest. Lucy answered immediately, her posture straightening as if the caller could see her.

"Yes, Miss Brooks," she said, her tone suddenly deferential. "Everything is proceeding as planned. Alpha Thorne has ordered a search, but they're focusing on Shadow District." She paused, listening. "No, we haven't been implicated. He suspects something, but has no proof."

Edith watched as Lucy's expression shifted, becoming more guarded.

"Of course, Miss. We'll maintain our story." Another pause. "And if he finds her?" Lucy's eyes flicked to Edith. "We'll say we knew nothing about it. Yes, I understand."

Lucy ended the call and fixed Edith with a hard stare. "Miss Kaelin says to continue as normal. If Thorne finds the exile, we deny any knowledge of how she was taken."

"This isn't right," Edith whispered, her voice barely audible. "She just wanted to find her family. She wasn't hurting anyone."

Lucy rose from the bed in one fluid motion, stalking toward Edith with predatory grace. She leaned down until their faces were inches apart, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"Don't forget where your loyalty lies, Edith. Kaelin Brooks will be the Alpha's mate after the next full moon. The Rileys are nothing—disgraced, exiled, forgotten." Her eyes narrowed. "If I sense even a hint that you're considering betraying Miss Kaelin, I'll personally ensure that your throat is the first one she tears out when she becomes Luna."

Edith shrank back, the threat hanging in the air between them. Lucy straightened, smoothing her uniform with practiced precision.

"Now get some rest. Tomorrow we act normal, concerned about the missing exile but confident our Alpha will handle everything." Lucy moved toward the door, pausing with her hand on the knob. "And Edith? Remember—wolves who can't run with the pack get left behind."

The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving Edith alone with her conscience and the growing certainty that she had made a terrible mistake.