The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 88

Third POV

The main hall of Grey Estate felt different after Alpha Thorne's judgment. The air hung heavy with tension as small clusters of servants gathered in hushed conversation, their eyes darting nervously toward the door as if expecting the Alpha to return at any moment. Rebecca, Diane, and the two kitchen assistants had been escorted off the property by Mark, leaving behind a void filled with speculation and fear.

"I've never seen Alpha Thorne so angry," whispered a young Beta, who worked in the kitchen. "His eyes were practically glowing."

"What did they expect?" Thomas, the garden assistant, muttered. "Locking someone in the basement overnight? That's beyond cruel."

"I'm sure Alpha Thorne will calm down in a few days," the young Beta offered, trying to ease the tension. "Maybe he'll let them come back once he's had time to think."

Edith, who had been quietly gathering her personal items from the head housekeeper's desk, looked up sharply. "That's wishful thinking. Alpha Thorne doesn't make decisions he intends to reverse." Her voice was steady but carried a note of resignation. "I should have noticed the problem sooner. The signs were there."

The remaining staff watched as Edith methodically organized her belongings, her movements precise despite her demotion. Martha stood awkwardly nearby, still processing her unexpected promotion, her weathered face set in determined lines.

"I want to make something clear," Martha said, addressing the gathered staff. "I don't care about Grey family politics or who sits where at dinner. But I will not tolerate anyone harming Freya Riley or any other person under this roof."

"Miss Kaelin won't be pleased," someone murmured from the back of the group.

Martha's eyes hardened. "Miss Brooks is not in charge of this household. Alpha Thorne is."

Edith closed the drawer she had been emptying and stood straight, facing the remaining staff. "Listen carefully, all of you. Alpha Thorne has given a clear warning. If anyone else decides to follow Rebecca and Diane's example, there will be no second chances. No one—not even Miss Kaelin—will be able to protect you." Her voice dropped lower. "And I certainly won't be here to intervene."

The servants exchanged nervous glances, the reality of their situation sinking in. The hierarchy had shifted, and they all needed to adjust quickly or risk the same fate as their former colleagues.

---

Martha knocked softly on the bedroom door before entering, carrying a tray with tea and light food. Inside, Freya was propped up against pillows, her face still flushed with fever but her eyes clearer than they had been earlier. Dr. Maloy had left after administering antibiotics and applying fresh bandages to her chemical burns.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Martha asked, setting the tray down on the bedside table.

"Better," Freya replied, though her voice was still weak. "Thank you, Martha."

Martha poured a cup of tea and handed it to Freya. "Small sips. You need to stay hydrated."

Freya accepted the cup gratefully, the warmth seeping into her bandaged hands. "What happened after I... after the doctor came?"

Martha's expression turned grim. "Alpha Thorne happened." She briefly recounted the scene in the main hall—how Thorne had gathered everyone, reviewed the security footage, and delivered swift punishment. "Rebecca and Diane are gone. So are the two kitchen assistants who helped them. They've been banished from Grey Estate."

Freya's eyes widened. "He banished them? Just like that?"

"Just like that," Martha confirmed. "And there's more. Edith has been demoted, and..." She hesitated, a flush creeping up her neck. "Alpha Thorne has appointed me as the new head of household."

"Martha! That's wonderful," Freya exclaimed, a genuine smile breaking through her exhaustion. "You deserve it."

Martha waved off the praise. "It's a position I never sought, but I'll do my best." She sat on the edge of the bed, her expression turning thoughtful. "I don't understand him, Freya. One moment he treats you like you're nothing, and the next he's defending you like you're precious to him."

Freya's smile faded. She stared down at her tea, watching the steam rise. "I'm just an exile who's been back recently. Given Thorne's character, I'm probably exactly the kind of person he despises most—someone judged and found guilty."

"But you don't believe you were guilty, were you?" Martha asked quietly.

Freya's shoulders tensed slightly. "I've explained so many times..." She sighed, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "But he never wanted to listen."

Martha nodded slowly, understanding more than Freya had said aloud. "Well, he's listening now, in his own way. I've never seen an Alpha so furious over harm done to a—" She stopped abruptly as the bedroom door swung open.

Thorne stood in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space, eyes immediately finding Freya in the bed. "Martha, I need to retrieve some documents from my desk," he said, his voice carefully neutral.

Martha rose quickly, straightening her apron. "Of course, Alpha. I was just bringing Miss Freya some tea and checking her condition." She glanced between them, sensing the sudden tension in the room. "I'll leave you to your work."

Martha slipped past Thorne with a small bow, closing the door behind her. The room fell silent except for the ticking of the mantel clock and Freya's slightly labored breathing.

---

Freya's POV

I held the teacup tightly, grateful for something to focus on besides Thorne's intimidating presence. He moved to his desk without looking at me again, opening drawers and shuffling through papers with precise movements. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words.

My wolf stirred uneasily within me, sensing the Alpha's presence and remembering both his protection and his punishment. The contradictions of this man never ceased to confuse me—the judge who sentenced me to exile, the Alpha who just banished his own staff for harming me.

I gathered my courage, setting the teacup down with a soft clink. "Alpha Thorne," I began, my voice steadier than I expected. "Since the Moon Howl Bar illegal trading case has been resolved and confirmed to have nothing to do with me... would it be possible for me to leave Grey Estate now?"

Thorne's movements stilled. He turned slowly, his eyes suddenly sharp. "Where would you go?"

The question caught me off guard. I had expected an immediate refusal, not curiosity. "I... I have some savings now. I could find a small place, perhaps in the Shadow District. I wouldn't leave Moon Bay without your permission, of course."

He studied me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "Where did we first meet, Freya Riley?"

The abrupt change of subject left me momentarily speechless. My mind raced back through years of memories, landing on that first, fateful encounter. "At the Thompson's celebration party," I answered cautiously. "I fell from a tree—I was hiding there to avoid the crowd. You caught me before I hit the ground."

Something flickered in his eyes—recognition, perhaps, or memory. "You were wearing a silver dress that caught on the branch."

"You remember," I said, surprised.

"I remember everything," he replied, his voice low and controlled. "Including how you pursued me afterward. Relentlessly."

"I was young and foolish then," I admitted. "I was... infatuated with you. But people change, Alpha Thorne. I've changed." I met his gaze directly. "I promise I won't bother you again. I swear it."