Chapter 154
Thorne's POV
After Elena left, Mark moved closer. "Alpha, do you think she knows something?"
"Undoubtedly," I muttered. "But she won't betray her son, especially not to me."
The next hour passed slowly. I refused the tea and sandwiches Elena sent, growing increasingly impatient as time ticked by. Just as I was considering a more direct approach, I heard the distinct sound of a car pulling up outside.
Minutes later, the door to the sitting room opened, and Jasper Stone strode in. He'd clearly been alerted to my presence—his posture was defensive, his expression wary but challenging.
"Heard we had an unexpected visitor," he said, making no attempt at a formal greeting. "The great Alpha Thorne Grey, in my humble home. To what do I owe this honor?"
I rose to my feet, meeting his gaze directly. "I think you know why I'm here, Stone."
Jasper affected a look of confusion, though his eyes gleamed with something closer to amusement. "Do I? My mother mentioned something about a missing pack member?"
"Freya Riley," I said, my voice hardening. "Where is she?"
Jasper tilted his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "How would I know? You're asking me about a member of your pack, Grey."
"A member who has mysteriously disappeared after being seen with you on multiple occasions."
"And you think I, what—kidnapped her?" Jasper laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. "That's quite an accusation to make on another Alpha's territory."
I took a step forward, my control slipping slightly as my wolf pushed against my restraint. "Then explain the message you sent me yesterday."
"What, that little text?" Jasper shrugged casually. "Just showing neighborly concern. Word travels fast between territories."
My patience snapped. I stood up abruptly, anger coursing through me. "That's enough games, Stone. My search for her was conducted privately. Only members of my inner circle knew about it. So either you admit you have spies in my pack, or you admit you've been involved in her disappearance. Which is it?"
Jasper paused, momentarily thrown by my logic. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "Well played, Grey. Your reputation for precise thinking isn't exaggerated." He shrugged. "But you're missing something crucial—evidence. Where's your proof that I took that girl? Even if you're the Alpha, you can't just throw around accusations without backing them up, can you?"
I maintained my steady gaze, refusing to be baited.
"I'll admit I saw Freya the day she disappeared," Jasper continued, settling into an armchair with calculated casualness. "But she obeyed your instructions quite well, keeping her distance from me. I must say, you've trained her thoroughly."
A strange warmth sparked in my chest at his words. She had listened to me after all. I quickly suppressed the feeling, focusing on Jasper's face for any sign of deception.
"Although," he added, his tone shifting to something darker, "she was injured that day. Head bleeding. Looked quite pitiful, really. A once-exiled little she-wolf gone missing—what do you think happened to her?"
My heart seemed to stop for a beat. "Injured? What do you mean she was injured?"
Jasper's eyes narrowed slightly, studying my reaction. "Oh? You didn't know? Blood running down the side of her face. She looked like she'd taken quite a blow."
"Tell me where she is," I demanded, no longer bothering to mask the growl in my voice. "Now."
Jasper stood up, matching my posture. "I told you, I don't know. Maybe instead of wasting time questioning me, you should be looking in the last place she was seen—the streets of the Moon Light District in your own territory, Grey."
Elena Stone appeared in the doorway, her expression tense as she sensed the confrontation brewing between the two Alphas.
"Jasper," she said quietly, "there's no need to antagonize Alpha Thorne further. If you don't know where this Omega is, just say so."
"She's not just 'some Omega,' Mother," Jasper replied without taking his eyes off me. "She's a Riley."
Elena's expression hardened. "All the more reason not to get involved. The Rileys brought nothing but trouble to those associated with them. You have no business concerning yourself with an exiled member of a disgraced family."
I watched this exchange with interest. Elena Stone clearly knew more about the Rileys than she was letting on—and she seemed genuinely concerned about her son's interest in Freya.
"Mrs. Stone," I said, my tone deliberately even, "I appreciate your hospitality. But I believe your son and I have nothing more to discuss." I turned back to Jasper, letting my Alpha presence fill the room. "Stone, I'm leaving now out of respect for your mother. But I know you're involved in Freya's disappearance, whether you're hiding her or helping her hide. Either way, I will find her."
Jasper's amber eyes flashed with defiance, but he made no move to stop me as I headed for the door.
"Mrs. Stone," I added, pausing at the threshold, "thank you for your time. I'll see myself out."
As Mark and I walked back to the car, my mind was racing. Freya had been injured? How? And why hadn't anyone at the hospital reported it? The thought of her hurt and alone—or worse, in Stone's custody—made my wolf pace anxiously beneath my skin.
Once inside the car, I turned to Mark. "She's injured. We need to find her faster."
Mark nodded grimly, starting the engine. "Where to, Alpha?"
I stared out at Stone Manor, my jaw clenched. "Back to Moon Bay. Focus the search on the Moon Light District. And get me any security footage from the hospital from the day she disappeared. If she was injured, someone must have seen something."
As we drove away, I couldn't shake the image of Freya with blood running down her face. My wolf howled internally, pushing against my control with surprising ferocity. The need to find her, to ensure her safety, felt suddenly overwhelming.
This wasn't just about a missing pack member anymore. This was about Freya—and I needed answers.