The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 74

Thorne's POV

The Moon Crescent Court stood at the highest point in Moon Bay, its white stone walls and silver domes gleaming against the morning sky. As my car pulled up to the private entrance, I could already smell the anxiety and anticipation of those waiting inside for judgment.

"Your docket is full today, Alpha," my clerk, a meticulous Beta named Powell, informed me as we walked through the marble corridors. "Seventeen cases, including three territory disputes and a challenge to inheritance rights in the Fisher bloodline."

I absorbed the information silently, my footsteps echoing as we approached the main chamber. Two Delta guards pushed open the heavy doors, revealing the circular courtroom with its ascending rows of seats surrounding the central judgment circle. As I entered, everyone rose, heads bowing in respect.

"The Alpha presides," the court announcer declared, his voice resonating through the chamber.

I took my place at the central dais, the silver-inlaid Alpha symbol beneath my feet. The traditional words came easily: "Justice flows from strength, mercy from wisdom. Let all who seek judgment approach with truth."

The morning proceeded as expected—disputes resolved, punishments assigned, order maintained. I listened to testimonies, weighed evidence, and rendered judgments with the efficiency my position demanded. My mind, however, kept returning to the exile living under my roof, to her golden eyes and the memory of her lips against mine.

Focus, Thorne.

By midday, we had cleared half the docket. As Powell arranged the afternoon cases on my desk, a particular file caught my eye—thicker than the others, marked with a red border indicating security priority.

"What's this?" I asked, pulling it forward.

"The Cole Raine kidnapping investigation, Alpha," Powell replied. "Complete report from the Enforcement Division."

I opened the file, scanning the contents. Cole Raine—exiled fifteen years ago when his family was convicted of conspiracy against the pack. According to the report, he had been living in the Forgotten Wastes until three months ago, when he was abducted by unknown assailants. The investigation suggested possible connections to several prominent pack families, but lacked concrete evidence.

What caught my attention was a notation about Raine being seen at Moon Howl Bar shortly before his disappearance—the same establishment where Terra Thompson worked. The same place Freya Riley had found refuge.

"Cancel my next appointment," I told Powell, closing the file. "I need to visit the medical center."

"Alpha, the Silverstone territorial negotiation is scheduled—"

"Reschedule it," I cut him off, rising from my seat. "Have the Raine file sent to my private study at the estate."

---

I drove myself to the medical center, preferring solitude to process my thoughts. Terra Thompson might have valuable information about Cole Raine—information that could potentially connect to the Riley family case. If there was any chance of understanding the threads connecting these exiled families, I needed to follow it.

As I parked outside the medical center, I noticed my bandaged arm was throbbing more intensely. The scent of herbs Freya had applied lingered faintly beneath the bandage—earthy, slightly bitter, unexpectedly comforting. I pushed the thought away as I entered the building, focusing instead on the questions I needed answered.

The medical center was quieter than usual as I made my way through the corridors. The scent of antiseptic and healing herbs mingled with the underlying notes of pain and anxiety that always permeated such places. My arm throbbed dully beneath the bandage, Dr. Maloy's treatments supplemented by Freya's herbal remedies working to push out the silver poison.

The medical center was quieter than usual as I made my way through the corridors. The scent of antiseptic and healing herbs mingled with the underlying notes of pain and anxiety that always permeated such places. My arm throbbed dully beneath the bandage, Dr. Maloy's treatments supplemented by Freya's herbal remedies working to push out the silver poison.

Freya. Even thinking her name caused a complicated twist in my gut. Last night's kiss had been... unexpected. Unwelcome. Unavoidable. I'd told myself it was a mistake, and it was—but that didn't stop my mind from replaying it, or my body from responding to the memory.

I pushed those thoughts aside as I approached the room where Terra Thompson was recovering. Two Delta guards nodded respectfully as I approached.

"Any visitors?" I asked.

"No, Alpha," the taller guard replied. "Just the medical staff."

I entered quietly, finding Thompson asleep, her face a canvas of bruises and swelling. The moon-silver in her system had slowed her healing considerably. I stood at the foot of her bed, studying her. This woman had befriended Freya when she had no one. For that alone, she deserved my protection.

As if sensing my presence, Thompson's eyes fluttered open. She tensed momentarily before recognition dawned.

"Alpha Grey," she murmured, her voice hoarse.

"Ms. Thompson," I acknowledged with a nod. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I went ten rounds with a silver-knuckled enforcer," she attempted a smile that turned into a wince. "But I'll live, thanks to you."

I moved closer to her bedside. "I have some questions about Freya Riley, if you're well enough to answer."

Thompson's eyes sharpened despite her injuries. "What about her?"

"How did you come to know her?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

She hesitated, clearly weighing her words. "She came into Moon Howl looking for work. Skinny, scared, but determined. I recognized another survivor."

"And you helped her because...?"

"Because someone once helped me," Thompson replied simply. "Two years ago, I was in trouble. Bad trouble. A wolf saved my life. Said his name was Ethan."

My breath caught. "Ethan Riley? Freya's big brother?"

Thompson's eyes widened slightly. "He never gave a last name. But... now that you mention it, he had the same scent notes as Freya. Wilder, but similar."

My mind raced. Ethan Riley had been missing since the night of the Riley family's disgrace. If he was alive—and in Moon Bay—it changed everything.

"Did he tell you why he helped you?" I pressed.

"Said I reminded him of his sister," Thompson's voice softened. "Said he hoped someone would help her too, if she needed it."

"Where is he now?"

Thompson shook her head weakly. "Disappeared after that night. Never saw him again."

I straightened, processing this new information. "Thank you for your honesty, Ms. Thompson. The pack will cover all your medical expenses, and you'll remain under our protection until you're fully recovered."

"Alpha Grey," she called as I turned to leave. "Freya doesn't know. About Ethan, I mean. I never told her."

I paused, looking back. "Why not?"

"Because hope can be cruel," she said simply. "And she's had enough cruelty."

---

Outside Thompson's room, I motioned for Mark to join me in the corridor.

"I want you to search for any trace of Ethan Riley," I ordered quietly. "He was in Moon Bay two years ago. May still be here."

Mark's expression registered surprise before settling into professional neutrality. "The exile's brother? I thought he disappeared with the rest of the Riley family."

"Apparently not," I said. "This is top priority, Mark. And completely confidential."

"Understood, Alpha." Mark hesitated. "Do you think he might be connected to the Riley case? To why they were accused of treason?"

The question had already occurred to me. The Riley family had been convicted of conspiracy against the pack—specifically, of plotting with foreign wolves to assassinate my father. The evidence had been compelling: documented meetings, intercepted communications, money trails. But if Ethan Riley had been in Moon Bay all this time...

"It's possible," I admitted. "Find him, Mark. But be discreet. If he's survived this long without detection, he won't be easy to track."

"What about the exile?" Mark asked. "She might be our best connection to him."

"Continue monitoring her," I said, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "But maintain distance. If she suspects we're looking for her brother, she might warn him."

---

I returned to Grey Estate as the afternoon shadows lengthened across the grounds.

As I entered the main hall, I immediately sensed something was wrong. The staff's scents carried notes of anxiety and secrecy, their movements too careful, their eyes avoiding mine. I caught Mark's attention and nodded toward my study, but before I could follow him, Edith approached, her posture rigid with tension.

"Alpha," she greeted me with a deeper bow than usual.

"Where is Freya?" I asked directly.

Edith's composure faltered slightly. "Ms. Riley is... resting, Alpha. She reported feeling unwell this morning."

My patience thinned. "Is she in her room?"

"Yes, Alpha. She requested a day of rest."

I dismissed Edith with a nod and headed for the stairs, my instincts on high alert. Something had happened during my absence—something the staff was reluctant to share. And whatever it was, it involved Freya.