The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 71

Freya's POV

I was arranging fresh flowers in the formal sitting room when a commotion at the front door caught my attention. The rapid clicking of heels against marble announced a visitor before I could even catch their scent.

"Where is Alpha Thorne?"

The voice sent ice down my spine. Kaelin Brooks.

I froze, flowers still in hand, as she swept into the entrance hall. Her gaze locked on me immediately, golden flecks flashing in her eyes – a sign of her wolf's agitation.

"You," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Where is my fiancé?"

Before I could answer, Thorne appeared from his study, his expression carefully neutral. "Kaelin. I wasn't expecting you today."

She crossed to him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I thought I'd surprise you. After Father's visit, I wanted to see for myself how you're healing."

Her eyes slid back to me, narrowing slightly. "I see your... servant... is arranging flowers now. How versatile."

Thorne's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Riley was just finishing. She's needed in the kitchen."

I recognized my dismissal and turned to leave, relief washing through me at the chance to escape.

"Actually," Kaelin's voice halted me, "I'm famished after my drive. Perhaps she could prepare something for me as well?" The sweet tone couldn't disguise the command beneath.

Thorne hesitated, then nodded. "Of course. Riley, please prepare breakfast for Ms. Brooks."

I turned back, keeping my eyes lowered. "Yes, Alpha. What would you prefer, Ms. Brooks?"

"Whatever you've prepared for Alpha Thorne will be fine," she replied, a dangerous smile playing on her lips. "I'm sure it's... adequate."

I nodded and retreated to the kitchen, my hands trembling slightly as I began preparing another serving of breakfast. Through the kitchen door, I could hear their murmured conversation in the dining room, though not the words themselves.

When I returned with Kaelin's meal, the atmosphere in the dining room was thick with tension. They sat at opposite ends of the table, Thorne's posture rigid, Kaelin's falsely relaxed. I felt caught in a silent battle between two predators, neither willing to show weakness.

"Here you are, Ms. Brooks," I said, placing the plate before her.

She examined the food with a critical eye. "Salmon for breakfast? How... unusual."

"It's one of Alpha Thorne's preferences," I replied before I could stop myself.

Her gaze snapped up to mine, sharp and assessing. "How interesting that you know his preferences so well after such a short time in his household."

I felt Thorne's attention shift to me, but I kept my expression neutral. "Martha instructed me on the Alpha's preferred meals."

"Of course she did," Kaelin murmured, taking a small bite. Her face suddenly contorted, and she put down her fork with a clatter. "There's ginkgo in this sauce."

My stomach dropped. "I... I wasn't aware—"

"I'm allergic to ginkgo," she said, her voice rising with theatrical distress. "Everyone in this household knows that."

Thorne's expression darkened as he looked at me. "Was this deliberate, Riley?"

The accusation stung like a physical blow. "No, Alpha, I would never—"

"Of course you wouldn't," Kaelin interrupted, her voice dripping false kindness. "I'm sure this exile wouldn't dare poison me in front of you, Thorne. She's not that foolish, even with her... limited bloodline."

I stood rigid, my fingernails digging into my palms as I fought to maintain composure. I could feel Thorne watching me, his gaze calculating.

"Prepare something else," he ordered, his voice cold. "Without ginkgo this time."

"Yes, Alpha," I managed, taking the plate and retreating to the kitchen.

I set the plate down with shaking hands, breathing deeply to control my anger. The ginkgo had been a genuine mistake – I had no idea Kaelin was allergic. But her implication that I'd done it deliberately, and Thorne's willingness to believe it, cut deeper than I wanted to admit.

When I returned with a new plate, they were speaking in low voices. They fell silent as I approached, Kaelin's hand resting possessively on Thorne's uninjured arm.

"This should be safe, Ms. Brooks," I said, placing the new dish before her. "Simple eggs and toast, no sauces or seasonings."

"How thoughtful," she replied, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Though rather bland, isn't it?"

I bit my tongue, saying nothing.

"That will be all, Riley," Thorne said dismissively. "Return to your regular duties."

"Actually," Kaelin interjected, "could you bring me some water? Room temperature, with a slice of lemon – but not too much. I find too much citrus... overwhelming."

I nodded stiffly and went to fulfill her request, recognizing the power play for what it was. She was establishing dominance, making me serve her repeatedly, watching me follow orders like the exile I was.

As I left the dining room with their empty plates later, I heard Thorne's voice, firm and final: "Riley, please finish clearing the table and then leave us. Ms. Brooks and I have private matters to discuss."

"Yes, Alpha," I replied, collecting the remaining dishes as quickly as possible.

As I exited, Kaelin's voice drifted after me, soft and intimate: "Now, darling, tell me about this investigation. Why does that exile still need to stay here?"

The door closed behind me, cutting off Thorne's response.

---

Thorne's POV

I watched Freya leave the dining room, her shoulders rigid and movements deliberately controlled, clearly suppressing anger. I turned to Kaelin, who was watching me with a calculating expression that barely concealed her possessiveness.

"The investigation is progressing," I said calmly, striving to keep my tone neutral. "Cole Raine is in custody, and we're tracking down the rest of his network."

"And the Riley girl's role in this?" Kaelin asked, her perfectly manicured finger tracing the rim of her water glass. "Surely her usefulness has ended now that Cole is captured?"

I felt a flash of irritation but immediately recalled my promise to Edward.

"She provided valuable testimony," I replied. "Until we're certain the entire network is dismantled, she remains under my protection."

Kaelin smiled, though the expression never reached her eyes. "Your protection? Or your employment? Having a former exile serving in your household seems strange, particularly one with her... history."

I suppressed the urge to contradict her. "It was a convenient arrangement," I maintained, keeping my voice steady. "She needed work, and the household needed additional staff."

"In your private quarters?" Kaelin's question hung in the air between us.

I met her gaze directly, feeling a surge of annoyance, but Edward's earnest face appeared in my mind again. Remember your promise, Thorne.

"She delivered herbal remedies for my wound."

"Of course." Kaelin nodded, seemingly satisfied on the surface, though her scent betrayed her continued suspicion. She shifted topics with practiced smoothness. "I've been invited to participate in the Silverstone Pack's moonlight design competition. Did you hear Jasper Stone is hosting it?"

I kept my expression impassive, though hearing Stone's name almost made my wolf growl. "I hadn't heard."

"It's quite the event," Kaelin continued. "Some wolves are even participating in both Stone's competition and the one held in our territory. Crossing pack lines so freely... interesting times we live in."

I recognized the subtle probe in her words—testing whether I cared about allegiances shifting between packs. "Wolves are free to participate in whatever events they choose," I said. "As long as they remember where their loyalties ultimately lie."

"Of course, loyalty is everything in our world," she agreed. "Speaking of which, I should visit more often while you recover. Father says your wound was quite serious."

"There's no need," I replied, perhaps too quickly. "Dr. Maloy assures me I'm healing well."

"I insist," Kaelin said, reaching across to touch my hand. "After all, what kind of mate would I be if I didn't care for you in your time of need?"

She said "mate" rather than "intended," though the distinction was significant. We were promised, not yet bound—a fact Kaelin frequently overlooked. I watched her hand covering mine, feeling a wave of discomfort.

"Your concern is appreciated," I said, carefully extracting my hand from hers. "But unnecessary. I have duties to attend to this morning."

"Of course," Kaelin smiled. "Don't let me keep you. I'll just rest here for a while before heading back. The drive aggravated my condition."

I hesitated, then nodded. "I'll have Edith prepare the blue room for you to rest in."

"Thank you, darling." She leaned forward to kiss my cheek again, and I resisted the urge to pull back. "Don't worry about me. I'll find ways to occupy myself."