Chapter 185
Freya’s POV
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and I stepped inside, grateful for the momentary solitude. My body still ached from the attack, but Thorne's healing had accelerated my recovery significantly. I could feel my wolf stirring beneath my skin, no longer suppressed by the drug Kaelin had used against me.
As the elevator descended toward the hospital lobby, I leaned against the cool metal wall and closed my eyes. The events of yesterday replayed in my mind—Thorne's unexpected appearance, his anger that quickly turned to concern when he saw my wounds, and most confusing of all, the sensation of his lips against mine. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the memory. I couldn't afford to be distracted by whatever game Thorne was playing.
The doors opened again on the ground floor, and I made my way to the discharge desk. The Beta nurse behind the counter smiled politely as she handed me forms to sign.
"We don't often see patients recover so quickly from a relatively serious injury," she remarked, her eyes curious but professional. "Dr. Everett wanted to keep you another night for observation."
"I heal fast," I replied with a tight smile, signing the last form. "And I have work that can't wait."
Just as I finished the paperwork, the elevator doors opened again, and Miles stepped out. His eyes scanned the lobby before landing on me, his expression shifting from concern to resignation. He approached with quick strides, his white coat billowing slightly behind him.
"I see you're determined to leave," he said, taking the clipboard from the nurse and reviewing my discharge papers. "Against medical advice, I might add."
"I can't stay here any longer, Miles," I said quietly. "You know that."
He handed the clipboard back to the nurse with a nod, then guided me to a quieter corner of the lobby, his hand hovering near my elbow without actually touching me—a gesture of support that respected my space.
"You shouldn't have been so confrontational with him," Miles said in a low voice, his eyes serious. "Alpha Thorne isn't someone you want to challenge openly."
I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped me. "What's he going to do? Exile me again? I'm already living in another Alpha's territory."
Miles frowned, his concern evident in the tightening of his jaw. "You don't understand the politics at play here, Freya. Standing between two Alphas is dangerous ground."
"I didn't ask to be in this position," I reminded him. "But I've made my decision. I'm leaving today. Those design sketches need my personal attention, and I can't complete them from a hospital bed."
Miles sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Even if your wounds are healing better than expected, you still need more rest. The drug in your system—"
"Is clearing," I interrupted. "I feel stronger every hour. My wolf is returning." This wasn't entirely true—I still felt the lingering weakness that came with drug—but I couldn't afford to show vulnerability.
Miles studied me for a long moment, his expression a mixture of professional concern and personal worry. Finally, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"At least let me know how you're doing," he said, offering it to me. "Exchange numbers with me. If anything changes—if you feel weak, dizzy, or if the pain returns—call me immediately."
I hesitated, then took his phone and entered my number. When I handed it back, our fingers brushed briefly, and I caught a flash of something in his eyes—a warmth that spoke of our shared past, when we'd been friends in a different life.
"Thank you for your concern," I said, softening my tone. "But I know my limits. I'll be careful."
Miles nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "I hope so, Freya. There are people who still care what happens to you, whether you believe it or not."
I didn't know how to respond to that, so I simply gathered my few belongings and headed for the exit. The automatic doors slid open, letting in a rush of fresh air that carried the scent of approaching autumn—crisp leaves, cooling earth, and the faintest hint of wood smoke.
And something else.
I froze on the threshold, my nostrils flaring as I caught a familiar scent. Parked at the curb was a sleek black luxury car that practically screamed wealth and power. Leaning against its polished door was Jasper Stone, his tall frame casual but commanding, drawing glances from everyone who passed by.
He straightened when he saw me, a smile spreading across his face that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Ms. Porter," he called, using my alias with deliberate emphasis. "I heard you were being discharged today."
I approached cautiously, hyper-aware of Miles watching from just inside the hospital doors. "Alpha Stone," I acknowledged with a slight nod. "I wasn't expecting you."
"Emma mentioned yesterday that you'd be leaving today," he explained, opening the passenger door with a flourish. "As your employer, I feel responsible for ensuring you get home safely. Especially after what happened."
I blinked in surprise, uncertain how to respond. I hadn't expected this level of personal attention from an Alpha, especially one I barely knew. "Thank you," I said finally. "I appreciate the gesture, but I hadn't planned on—"
"I insist," Jasper interrupted smoothly. "A valuable designer deserves special treatment, particularly when they're fresh out of the hospital."
His words were pleasant enough, but there was an undercurrent I couldn't quite decipher. My wolf bristled slightly, sensing that this wasn't simply a kind gesture from an employer. Still, I couldn't see a polite way to refuse, and I had no desire to take public transportation in my current state.
With a final glance back at Miles, who was watching our interaction with obvious concern, I slid into the passenger seat. The leather was butter-soft against my skin, and the interior smelled of expensive cologne and the faint metallic tang that all Alphas seemed to carry—a scent of power and dominance.
Jasper closed my door and walked around to the driver's side, settling in with the fluid grace of a predator. As he started the engine, the car purred to life, the vibration so subtle it was barely perceptible.
"Comfortable?" he asked, pulling away from the curb with smooth precision.
"Yes, thank you," I replied, trying to relax despite the tension coiling in my shoulders. "I wasn't expecting the CEO of Stone Group to act as my personal chauffeur."
Jasper laughed, the sound warm but calculated. "I have some things I wanted to discuss with you," he said, his tone turning more serious as we merged into traffic. "About the Riley family."
My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to face him fully, all pretense of casual conversation forgotten. "You have news about my family?"