The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 94

Third POV

The Bar pulsed with energy despite the early hour. Jasper Stone sat at a corner booth, nursing a glass of whiskey as he surveyed the crowd. His Beta guards maintained a respectful distance, allowing their Alpha space while ensuring his security.

A female Beta wolf approached his table, her posture deliberately seductive. She wore a low-cut top that displayed her assets prominently, and she released pheromones designed to attract an Alpha's attention.

"Alpha Stone," she purred, her voice honey-sweet. "What an honor to see you here tonight. May I join you?"

Jasper barely glanced at her. "Not today."

The woman's smile faltered slightly, but she persisted. "I could keep you company. It's not good for an Alpha to drink alone."

Jasper was about to dismiss her again when his phone vibrated with a notification. He glanced down at the screen, and his eyes flashed gold as he read Freya Riley's message.

The Beta woman noticed his sudden interest in the phone and tried to peek at the screen. "Good news?"

Jasper's demeanor shifted instantly. He pocketed his phone and stood, tossing back the remainder of his whiskey in one smooth motion. "As I said, not today."

He moved past the disappointed woman without another glance, signaling to his guards that he was leaving. The female Beta was left standing awkwardly by the empty booth, the watching crowd of Omegas muttering among themselves about her rejection.

"That's the third one he's turned down this week," one Omega whispered to another.

"They say he's interested in someone specific," came the reply. "Someone forbidden."

The female Beta shot them a glare that silenced their gossip, but the damage to her pride was already done.

---

In his car, Jasper debated how to respond to Freya's message. The Riley bloodline intrigued him—not just for its political implications, but because of the raw talent Freya had demonstrated in her preliminary designs. Unlike Thorne Grey, Jasper recognized the value of skill regardless of bloodline status.

He deliberately waited thirty minutes before responding, not wanting to appear too eager. Finally, he typed:

[Deadlines exist for a reason, Ms. Riley. However, I'd be willing to discuss the matter in person. My input on what Silverstone Pack requires might help you overcome your creative block.]

He sent the message, then added another:

[I'll be in town tomorrow afternoon. We could meet at Lunar Café at 2 PM.]

Jasper waited, watching the screen. Three dots appeared, indicating Freya was typing a response.

[I appreciate the offer, but I'm unable to leave Grey Estate at present.]

Jasper frowned. So Grey was keeping her confined. Interesting.

[That's unfortunate. Without a face-to-face consultation, I can't justify extending the deadline. It would be a shame if your absence from the competition affected your reputation in wolf design circles. Few designers get a second chance after declining an Alpha's invitation.]

The implied threat was clear, yet subtle enough to maintain plausible deniability. Jasper set his phone down, confident that Freya would understand her options were limited.

---

Freya's POV

I stared at Stone's message, my heart sinking. His thinly veiled threat was clear—meet with him or lose my chance at rebuilding my career. If I couldn't establish myself as a designer again, how would I support myself after leaving Grey Estate? The money in my account wouldn't last forever, especially if I needed to search for my family.

But how could I leave the estate when Thorne had explicitly forbidden it? The risks were enormous.

With a deep breath, I made my way back downstairs to find Martha. I located her in the kitchen, reviewing the next day's menu with the remaining kitchen staff.

"Martha, can I speak with you a moment?" I asked when there was a break in the conversation.

She nodded, instructing the others to continue their prep work before following me to a quiet corner.

"I need to leave the estate tomorrow," I said quietly. "Just for a few hours. It's about the design competition—I need to meet with a client."

Martha's eyes widened. "After Alpha Thorne explicitly told you not to leave?"

I nodded, the gravity of my request not lost on me. "It's important. This competition could be my ticket to independence—to having a real career again. But the Alpha..." I faltered, remembering his cold eyes. "He doesn't want me to have that."

Martha looked troubled. "Freya, disobeying an Alpha's direct command—we could both be exiled for this."

"I know," I whispered. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't crucial. I just need a few hours, that's all."

Martha was silent for a long moment, weighing the risks. Finally, she sighed. "The shift change for the perimeter guards happens at 1:30 tomorrow. There's a ten-minute window when the southeast corner is less monitored." She hesitated. "I have clothes that can help mask your Riley scent. They're treated with special herbs—I used to help your mother with them."

Gratitude washed over me. "Thank you, Martha."

"Don't thank me yet," she replied grimly. "If we're caught, we'll both be facing Alpha Thorne's judgment. And with the full moon approaching, his wolf will be closer to the surface—less forgiving."

I nodded, understanding the risk we were both taking. But I had to try. With Jasper Stone's connections and the prize money from the competition, I might finally have the resources to find my family and start a new life.

"Tomorrow at 1:25," Martha said. "Meet me by the storage room near the kitchen garden. Wear something inconspicuous."

As I returned to my room, my wolf paced anxiously within me. She understood the risk of defying an Alpha, especially one as powerful as Thorne Grey. But she also recognized the cage we were in—gilded though it might be—and yearned for freedom as much as I did.

"We're going to see another Alpha", she whined. "Thorne will smell it on us when we return."

"Then we'll just have to be very careful," I whispered to myself, already planning how I would wash away any trace of Jasper Stone before returning to Grey Estate.