The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 95

Freya's POV

My heart pounded against my ribs as I checked my watch again: 1:23. Just two minutes until I was supposed to meet Martha at the kitchen garden storage room. I'd chosen my darkest clothes—a navy sweater and black jeans—hoping to blend into the shadows. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, sensing the danger of what I was about to do.

This is insane, I thought, adjusting the dark scarf I'd wrapped around my neck. If Thorne finds out I've left the estate...

I didn't let myself finish that thought. This meeting with Jasper Stone was my only chance to stay in the design competition. Without it, I'd lose not just the potential winnings but any hope of rebuilding my reputation as a designer. And without that, how would I ever support myself once I left Grey Estate? How would I find my family?

Taking a deep breath, I slipped out of my attic room and made my way down the servants' staircase, careful to avoid the creaky third step. The main house was quiet; most of the staff were busy with afternoon duties in other wings. I moved quickly through the hallways, keeping my head down and my footsteps light.

The kitchen garden was behind the main house, protected by high stone walls covered in climbing roses. It was one of the few places on the estate where the scents of herbs and flowers overpowered the distinctive Grey pack markers, making it perfect for our clandestine meeting.

At exactly 1:25, I slipped through the side door into the small storage shed adjoining the garden. Martha was already there, her face tight with worry as she held up a dark green jacket.

"You're on time. Good," she whispered, thrusting the jacket toward me. "Put this on. I've treated it with moonlight grass and mint. It should mask your Riley scent, at least partially."

I shrugged into the jacket, immediately noticing the sharp, clean smell that tickled my nose. "Will it really work?" I asked, unable to keep the doubt from my voice.

Martha's eyes darted nervously to the door. "It worked for your mother when she needed to move undetected. The mint disrupts a wolf's ability to track specific scent markers." She adjusted the collar of the jacket, her fingers trembling slightly. "Remember, the guard shift change only gives you a ten-minute window. You *must* be through the southwest wall before they complete their rotation."

My wolf whined anxiously inside me, sensing Martha's fear and mirroring my own. Defying an Alpha's command wasn't just dangerous—it was against every instinct bred into our kind. But I'd spent three years in exile learning to suppress those instincts.

"What about the cameras?" I asked.

"Mark disabled the southwest corner cameras for maintenance today." Martha's expression was grim. "He has no idea he's helping you, of course. I simply suggested that section needed attention."

I nodded, impressed by Martha's foresight. "Thank you, Martha. I know what you're risking for me."

She clasped my hands tightly. "Just be careful. Stone may be an Alpha, but he's not your Alpha. Don't trust him." Her eyes softened. "And be back before dinner service begins. I've told everyone you're resting with a migraine, but that excuse won't hold if Alpha Thorne asks for you directly."

I squeezed her hands in return. "I'll be quick. Just the meeting, then straight back."

With a final nod, Martha opened the shed door a crack and peered outside. "Coast is clear. Go now, and stay within the tree line until you reach the southwest wall."

Taking a deep breath, I slipped out of the shed and into the dappled shadows of the garden. My wolf's senses heightened immediately, ears straining for any sound of approaching guards, nostrils flaring to catch any unfamiliar scent. I kept low, moving from shadow to shadow with the practiced stealth I'd developed in the Forgotten Wastelands.

The Grey Estate was massive, spanning nearly a hundred acres, but the main house and gardens occupied only the central portion. The southwest corner was one of the least monitored areas, bordered by a dense line of old oak trees that provided perfect cover. I moved quickly but cautiously, freezing when I heard voices approaching.

Two Beta guards were walking the perimeter, their conversation carrying clearly in the still afternoon air.

"...told you, the southeastern quadrant is where we need more coverage. That's where those Omega kids got in last month."

"And I'm telling you, Alpha's orders were clear. Southwest corner gets the extra attention now."

My blood went cold. Extra attention? That wasn't part of Martha's intelligence. Had something changed? I pressed myself against the rough bark of an ancient oak, barely daring to breathe as the guards passed by less than twenty feet away. One of them paused, lifting his head to sniff the air.

"You smell that?" he asked his companion.

My heart nearly stopped.

The other guard inhaled deeply. "Just mint from the kitchen garden. Thomas must be harvesting today."

The first guard seemed unsatisfied but continued walking. I waited until they were well out of sight before moving again, my palms slick with nervous sweat. The southwest wall was now visible through the trees—a twelve-foot stone barrier topped with decorative but sharp iron spikes.

And there, just as Martha had described, was the small, rarely-used side door, half-hidden by overgrown ivy. I glanced at my watch: 1:38. The guard rotation would be complete in two minutes. I had to move now.

I sprinted the final distance, fishing the small key Martha had given me from my pocket. My hands were shaking so badly I nearly dropped it twice before managing to fit it into the ancient lock. For one heart-stopping moment, the key refused to turn, and I thought Martha had given me the wrong one. Then, with a reluctant grating sound, the lock gave way.

I pulled the door open just enough to slip through, closing it quietly behind me. I was outside Grey Estate for the first time since my return from exile. I looked back at the towering grey stone of the mansion, its many windows like watchful eyes. Somewhere in there, Thorne Grey was probably working in his study, unaware that I'd just defied his direct command.

My wolf howled mournfully inside me, hating this rebellion against our Alpha. I shushed her mentally.

"He's not our Alpha", I reminded her. "Not really. We're just passing through."

The taxi Martha had arranged was waiting a block away, exactly as planned. The driver, a middle-aged Omega with graying temples, didn't ask questions when I slid into the back seat.

"Lunar Café," I said quietly, and he nodded, pulling smoothly away from the curb.