The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 81

Freya's POV

My fingers trembled as I typed a simple reply:

[I'll honor our agreement.]

Setting the phone down, I felt an unexpected lightness in my chest. With this money, I could leave—not just Grey Estate, but Moon Bay entirely. I could search for my family without worrying about resources. I could start fresh somewhere new.

Yet as I turned back to my design, a strange sense of determination filled me. I would complete this competition first. It wasn't about the prize money anymore—it was about proving to myself that I was still the person I had been before the exile.

One last act of defiance before I disappeared from Thorne Grey's life forever.

Evening arrived with a gentle knock at my door. I called out permission to enter, setting aside the paper where I'd been sketching rough ideas to replace my lost designs.

Martha bustled in carrying a tray with dinner, but what caught my eye was the tablet tucked under her arm. My tablet—the one that had disappeared yesterday.

"I brought you something besides dinner," she said with a conspiratorial smile, setting the tray down before placing the device in my hands. "I managed to take this back from their room when they weren't looking. Quick, check if it still works."

My fingers trembled slightly as I powered on the device, relief washing over me when the screen lit up normally. "It works! Martha, thank you!"

"Those girls thought they were so clever," she huffed, shaking her head. "Found it hidden under Rebecca's mattress when I was changing the linens."

I quickly opened my design app, almost crying with relief when I saw my cloud backups were still intact. "Thank goodness. If we didn't share that cloud account, all my work would have been lost."

Martha moved closer, her expression changing from satisfaction to awe as she glimpsed the design visible on the screen.

"Goodness, child! Is that what I think it is?" she asked, leaning in for a better look.

I nodded, not bothering to hide it from her. "My submission for the design competition."

"But I thought Alpha Thorne destroyed your designs yesterday," she said, confusion evident in her voice.

"The paper sketches, yes. But I had digital backups." I gestured to the tablet. "Now I can still finish it."

Martha's eyes widened as she took in the intricate patterns on the screen. "My stars, this is even more beautiful than what he tore up! The way you've integrated the traditional pack symbols with modern elements..." She shook her head in wonder. "It's magnificent, Freya."

Her praise warmed something inside me that had been cold for too long. "You really think so?"

"I know so," she said firmly. "I've been around long enough to recognize genuine talent when I see it."

I glanced down at the design, feeling a mixture of pride and uncertainty. "I'm still going to submit it," I confessed quietly. "Even though Grey forbade it."

Martha studied my face for a long moment. "You're risking a lot."

"I know," I admitted. "But this may be my last chance to prove myself as a designer. To show that I'm more than just an exile or a servant. That despite everything, I still have something valuable to offer."

Understanding dawned in Martha's eyes. "You're planning to leave, aren't you?"

I nodded slowly. "Kaelin paid me to go—three times what we agreed upon, actually. In a month, I'll be gone from Moon Bay entirely."

Martha sat heavily on the edge of my bed. "I suspected as much when I saw how determined you were with this design." She gestured toward the tablet. "It's not just about winning a competition, is it? It's your farewell statement."

"Something like that," I agreed softly.

Martha reached out and patted my hand, her eyes suspiciously bright. "Your talent shouldn't be hidden away, dear. You should let the world see what you can do, one last time before you go."

Her support meant more than I could express. In this house full of people who viewed me with suspicion or outright hostility, Martha's kindness had been a lifeline.

"Thank you," I whispered, fighting back the unexpected sting of tears.

"Now eat your dinner before it gets cold," she ordered, resuming her usual brisk manner. "You need your strength if you're going to finish that masterpiece."

---

The next morning, I felt strong enough to leave my room. Martha had informed the staff I was recovering from exhaustion, which wasn't far from the truth. I made my way down the servants' stairs, hoping to reach the kitchen without encountering anyone.

My luck didn't hold. As I turned the corner into the main corridor, I walked directly into Rebecca and Diane coming from the opposite direction. They carried cleaning supplies, and the moment they saw me, their expressions hardened into identical masks of contempt.

I tried to step around them, but Rebecca deliberately moved to block my path.

"Well, look who's finally emerged from her sickbed," she sneered. "Feeling better, are we?"

"Excuse me," I said politely, keeping my voice neutral. "I need to get to the kitchen."

"Of course you do," Diane said with exaggerated sweetness. "Always so eager to please."

I sensed the trap but couldn't see a way around it. Before I could respond, Rebecca 'accidentally' tipped her bucket, sending dirty water splashing across my legs and feet. The sharp sting of cleaning chemicals burned my skin instantly.

"Oops," she said with mock concern. "How clumsy of me."

The water soaking into my clothes wasn't just dirty—it burned against my skin with a familiar chemical bite. They had mixed cleaning solution with the water, knowing it would irritate my skin.

"You should be more careful," I said evenly, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing my discomfort.

Rebecca leaned closer, her voice dropping to a malicious whisper. "How was the basement last night? Cozy enough for you?"

My stomach clenched at the reminder of those dark, freezing hours. I kept my expression neutral, though I could feel my wolf stirring beneath my skin, hackles raised.

"Did you enjoy your little nap in the rat's nest?" Diane added, her smile never reaching her eyes. "It seemed like the perfect place for Riley trash."

"I need to get cleaned up," I said, trying to step around them again.

Rebecca blocked my path once more. "You don't belong here," she hissed. "A disgraced exile thinking she deserves special treatment from Alpha Thorne? You're pathetic."

"Do you really think you're still that Riley princess from years ago?" Diane added. "You're nothing now. Less than nothing."

"Just be smart and listen to Miss Kaelin," Rebecca continued. "Leave Grey Estate before something worse happens."

I felt a strange calm settle over me. These women could lock me in basements and pour chemical water on me, but in the end, their power was limited.

"You needn't worry," I said coolly. "I'll be gone from this place within a month."

They exchanged surprised glances.

"And if you report me to Alpha Thorne for participating in the design competition," I added, having guessed their next threat, "feel free. I'll be long gone before any consequences materialize."

Rebecca's eyes narrowed. "You think you're so clever—"

"I think we're done here," I interrupted, my patience exhausted. "Now excuse me, I need to rinse these chemicals off before they do permanent damage."

I pushed past them, ignoring their muttered threats. My legs burned where the solution had soaked through my clothes, but I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me hurry or show pain.

Once safely in the bathroom, I peeled off my wet pants and assessed the damage. The skin on my legs was red and irritated, with small blisters already forming in places. I stepped into the shower, letting cool water rinse away the caustic solution.

As the water soothed my burning skin, tears of frustration welled up. Not because of the pain—I had endured far worse in Silver Shackle—but because of the sheer pettiness of it all. The bullying, the sabotage, the constant reminders that I didn't belong.

"This is my fault," I whispered, watching the water swirl down the drain. "If I had been stronger back then, if I hadn't let myself be framed..."

My mind drifted to my family—my parents and brother who had disappeared after our disgrace. Had they suffered similar humiliations? Were they even alive?

The thought steeled my resolve. Once the design competition was over, I would leave Moon Bay immediately. I would use Kaelin's money to search for my family, to finally discover what had happened to them after the Riley name was dragged through the mud.

"I'm coming," I promised, as if they could hear me. "Just hold on a little longer."