The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 67

Freya's POV

After a moment's hesitation, he extended his arm. I knelt beside him, carefully examining the wound. The silver contamination had spread further than I'd expected, threading through his veins in an alarming pattern.

"This needs treatment immediately," I said, trying to keep my voice professional despite our proximity. "The herbal mixture in the pool isn't right for moon-silver poisoning."

His eyebrows rose slightly. "And you know what is?"

"Yes." I stood up, scanning the shelves of herbs and tinctures lining the walls. "You need bloodroot extract, silverleaf, and moon fern. Do you have those?"

He gestured toward a cabinet in the corner. "Everything should be there. Dr. Maloy keeps it well-stocked."

I quickly located the ingredients, along with several others I knew would help. Working methodically, I ground the herbs together in a stone mortar, adding drops of various tinctures.

"Where did you learn this?" Thorne asked, watching me work.

"Survival," I answered simply. "In the Wilds, moon-silver injuries are common. Hunters leave traps laced with it."

A muscle in his jaw tightened. "And you treated others with these wounds?"

"When I could." I kept my focus on the mixture, not wanting to delve into the darker memories of exile. "This needs to be applied directly to the wound, and you'll need to soak in a separate bath with different herbs. The water in that pool will only make it worse—silver reacts badly with common healing herbs."

Thorne studied me with an intensity that made my skin warm. "You surprise me, Riley."

"Freya," I corrected automatically, then bit my lip.

To my surprise, he nodded. "Freya."

The way he said my name sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

"The mixture is ready," I said, trying to regain my composure. "I'll need to drain this pool and prepare a new bath with the correct herbs."

"The controls are there," he indicated a panel on the wall. "There's another treatment pool through that door that can be used."

I quickly set to work, draining the first pool and preparing the second with the proper herbs. As I worked, I was acutely aware of Thorne's gaze following me, his expression unreadable.

When everything was ready, I returned to his side with the poultice I'd prepared.

"This will sting," I warned, kneeling before him again.

"I can handle it," he said, his voice a low rumble.

I began applying the mixture directly to the wound, my fingers gentle but firm. Thorne's muscles tensed beneath my touch, but he made no sound. The silver lines seemed to pulse beneath his skin, fighting against the treatment.

"You're good at this," he said after a moment, his voice rougher than before.

"Necessity is an excellent teacher," I replied, focusing on my task rather than on the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers.

When I finished applying the poultice, I wrapped his arm in clean bandages soaked in the herbal mixture.

"Now you need to soak in the prepared bath," I said, standing up. "Everything except the injured arm, which needs to stay dry."

Thorne stood as well, towering over me. This close, his scent enveloped me—pine and cedar, with underlying notes of something uniquely him. My wolf stirred restlessly.

"I'll need assistance," he said, his eyes holding mine. "To keep the arm elevated."

My pulse quickened. "I can help."

He nodded and moved toward the second treatment pool, now filled with the herbal mixture I'd prepared. I followed, keeping a respectful distance as he removed his pants, leaving only his underwear. I averted my eyes, fighting the blush that threatened to rise.

Thorne stepped into the pool, lowering himself carefully while keeping his injured arm raised. I knelt at the edge, supporting his arm to keep the bandage dry.

"How long?" he asked.

"At least twenty minutes," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite our proximity. "The herbs need time to draw out the silver."

He settled back against the edge of the pool, his eyes closing briefly as the medicinal herbs began to work. The steam rose around us, carrying the sharp, clean scent of the healing mixture. In the dim light, with water beading on his skin, he looked less like the cold, unyielding Alpha who had sentenced me to exile and more like a wolf in pain—powerful but vulnerable.

"Why are you helping me?" he asked suddenly, his eyes opening to fix on mine.

The question caught me off guard. "Because you're injured, and I can help."

"Despite everything?"

I met his gaze steadily. "Despite everything."

Something shifted in his expression—surprise, perhaps, or respect. The silence between us grew charged, filled with unspoken questions and half-formed thoughts.

As I held his arm, careful to keep the bandage dry, I couldn't help but notice how his muscles flexed beneath my fingers, how the water traced paths down his chest and shoulders. My wolf, usually so guarded around him, seemed fascinated, urging me closer.

"The silver lines are receding," I observed, desperate to break the tension. "The treatment is working."

Thorne looked down at his arm, where the dark silver lines had indeed begun to fade. "You've saved me a night of agony."

"I'm glad I could help." The sincerity in my voice surprised even me.

---

Our eyes locked, and something electric passed between us. My breathing became shallow as his scent intensified, wrapping around me like a physical touch. The wolf in me responded, pushing against the surface of my skin.

In one swift movement, Thorne's uninjured hand caught my wrist, drawing me closer to the edge of the pool. Water sloshed against the sides as he shifted. I found myself leaning forward, my face mere inches from his.

"Freya," he breathed, my name sounding like a question and an answer all at once.

Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that started gentle but quickly ignited into something primal and demanding. My mind went blank with shock, but my body responded instantly, a low whimper escaping my throat as I leaned into him. His tongue traced the seam of my lips, demanding entry which I granted without hesitation. The taste of him—wild and powerful—flooded my senses as our tongues met in a hungry dance.

His hand moved from my wrist to slide up my arm, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. I gasped against his mouth as his fingers traced my collarbone before boldly moving lower, cupping my breast through the thin fabric of my shirt. My wolf howled in approval, clawing beneath my skin as my nipple hardened against his palm.

"Alpha," I moaned against his lips, the word half protest, half plea.

Thorne growled in response, the sound vibrating through his chest and into mine. His kiss grew more demanding, consuming me completely as his thumb circled my sensitive peak. I was melting, burning, losing myself in his touch. My balance faltered as I leaned further over the edge of the pool, desperate to be closer to him.

My hands clutched at his shoulders as I teetered precariously, nearly slipping into the water. Thorne's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me harder against him, half-lifting me over the edge of the pool. Water soaked through my clothes where they pressed against the wet edge, but I couldn't bring myself to care. His scent enveloped me, his touch branding me, his kiss devouring me.

The clatter of a cleaning cart in the hallway outside crashed through our heated moment like thunder. Voices drifted under the door—"Make sure Alpha's wing is spotless today"—followed by the distinct sound of a mop bucket being rolled across the marble floor.

Reality crashed back with stunning force. I wrenched myself from Thorne's grasp, stumbling backward until my back hit the herb cabinet. My chest heaved with each breath, my lips swollen from his kisses, my shirt clinging damply to my skin where he had touched me.

Thorne's eyes had darkened to molten gold, the pupils completely dilated with desire. Water dripped from his powerful shoulders, and his breathing was as ragged as mine. The evidence of his arousal was visible even through the water, making my cheeks burn hotter.

"I—I should go," I stammered, my voice barely recognizable. "The treatment needs to... the herbs will continue working. You should stay in the bath for another ten minutes."