The Alpha's Exiled Mate Chapter 99

Freya’s POV

Without warning, his lips crashed down on mine, cutting off all my explanations. The kiss was fierce and possessive, his Alpha presence fully released, overwhelming every inch of resistance I might have offered. His tongue pushed into my mouth, tasting, claiming.

My body responded instinctively, even as my rational mind screamed to push him away. My hands, which had been pushing against his chest, now clutched at his shirt. My moon-silver mark seared my skin, my wolf both wanting to submit and rebel. The contradictory sensations tore at me, making me tremble in his kiss.

Thorne growled against my mouth, the sound vibrating through my body. One of his hands moved to my thigh, hiking up my skirt, his fingers digging into bare skin. His other hand tangled in my hair, pulling my head back to deepen the kiss.

"Tell me you didn't seek him out," he demanded, his lips moving to my jaw, then my neck. "Tell me you're not planning to leave." His teeth scraped against my pulse point, making me gasp.

"I wasn't—I'm not—" I couldn't form a coherent thought with his mouth on my skin, his hand inching higher on my thigh.

One of Thorne's hands fixed on the back of my neck, the other unbuttoning his own shirt. When he pulled back slightly, I could see his bare chest and the scars on his arm—marks left from the Cole Raine incident, an evergreen reminder of what he had sacrificed to protect Moon Bay.

He pressed his bare chest against my exposed skin, and I felt a jolt of electricity where we touched. His hand returned to my thigh, pushing my skirt up further, fingers hooking into the edge of my underwear.

"I should take you right here," he said, his voice husky with desire. "Mark you so thoroughly with my scent that no other Alpha would dare come near you again." His fingers slipped beneath the fabric, and I gasped at the intimate touch.

My head fell back against the wall, my body betraying me with its response to his touch. Thorne's lips found the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder, and he bit down gently, drawing a moan from me that I couldn't suppress.

His fingers moved higher, and I knew I was moments away from surrendering completely to him. The power of his Alpha presence combined with the skilled movements of his hands left me breathless and wanting.

Just then, knocking came from the door, and Edith's voice penetrated the tense silence: "Alpha, are you in there? Dinner is ready."

We froze, both breathing heavily. Thorne's lips brushed against my ear as he whispered, "Move any more, and even the dullest wolf outside will smell the change in scent between us."

His words made my cheeks burn. I was suddenly acutely aware of our position—my shirt half open, my skirt pushed up, his hand still intimately placed. Thorne's voice suddenly became calm and controlled as he responded, "I understand, Edith. We'll be down shortly."

As Edith's footsteps faded away, Thorne leaned close again, his fingers trailing across my collarbone, sending shivers through me.

"The next time you go to see Jasper," his voice was low and threatening, "I will have you kneeling before all wolves at the Full Moon Gathering, begging for forgiveness."

The threat both terrified and angered me. Once Edith's footsteps had completely disappeared, I shoved him away forcefully, accidentally hitting the scar on his arm from the Cole Raine incident.

Thorne let out a muffled groan, golden wolf-eyes flashing with pain and anger.

"I am not your possession," I gasped, though my voice was weaker than I had hoped. "You can't control my every move like this."

Thorne's expression grew cold, but fire still burned in his eyes. "You're on my territory, Freya. As long as you wear my mark, you live by my rules."

We stood there, staring at each other, the air thick with tension and unspoken emotions. My heartbeat still hadn't returned to normal, and I could feel my lips slightly swollen from his kiss.

In this moment, suspended between us was the undeniable fact: whatever complicated history and emotions existed between us, in this instant, we both felt the physical pull toward each other, that primal, undeniable connection.

I began straightening my disheveled clothes, trying to regain some dignity. "I should go downstairs. Dinner's ready."

Thorne didn't stop me, but his gaze followed me until I left the room. As I closed the door, I heard his heavy breathing and a low growl, the sound of a man wrestling with the beast inside.

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Thorne's POV

I stood alone in my bedroom, the echo of the closing door still hanging in the air. My wolf surged forward in frustration as Freya's scent lingered—a taunting reminder of what had just occurred. The golden hue of my wolf vision hadn't fully receded, and I could feel my canines still slightly extended against my lip.

The contradiction of emotions—desire, possession, anger—swirled through me like a storm. My wolf howled in protest at her departure, at the audacity of her pushing me away when every instinct demanded I claim her.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "Alpha?" Mark's voice came through, hesitant but professional.

I took a deep breath, forcing my wolf to retreat. "Enter," I commanded, my voice still rougher than usual.

Mark stepped inside, his eyes quickly taking in my disheveled appearance. His gaze dropped immediately to the floor, a sign of submission.

"I apologize for the interruption, Alpha. I wanted to inform you that dinner is ready. Should I have it brought up or will you be joining everyone downstairs?"

I straightened my shirt, which had become partially unbuttoned during my... confrontation with Freya. "I'll be down shortly. Have my usual place set."

Mark nodded, but remained standing there. I didn't turn from the window. "I want a full report on Freya's movements this afternoon. Where she went. Who she spoke to. Every detail."

"Yes, Alpha," Mark replied, his voice steady. "I've already begun gathering information. Martha claims she went to purchase personal items, but the timing doesn't align with—"

"I know exactly where she went," I cut him off, my voice dropping to a dangerous rumble. "She met with Jasper Stone."

Mark's sharp intake of breath was the only sign of his surprise. "That would explain why the perimeter guards reported unusual activity near the southwest gate."

I turned then, letting him see the golden glow I knew still lingered in my eyes. "Go check if anyone else helped her leave, and fire them immediately once you find out."

"It will be done, Alpha." Mark hesitated, then added, "Regarding tomorrow's proceedings... Cole Raine's sentencing at Moon Crescent Court. Do you still wish to proceed as scheduled?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Well," Mark shifted his weight slightly, "you postponed the original sentencing because of Miss Riley's illness. I just wondered if you had informed her that she would be expected to attend."

My jaw tightened. "The proceedings will continue as planned."

Mark nodded, then ventured, "If I may, Alpha... Miss Riley doesn't seem to know that you postponed the sentencing so she could witness Cole's trial. Perhaps if she understood—"

"You're overstepping, Mark," I warned, letting a hint of Alpha command color my tone.

He immediately lowered his gaze. "My apologies, Alpha. It wasn't my place."

"No," I agreed coldly, "it wasn't."