Chapter 163
Freya's POV
I woke to the gentle beams of morning light filtering through my curtains, stretching languidly across my bed. After the photography session with Selena yesterday, I'd returned to my apartment exhausted but strangely fulfilled. For a few precious hours, I'd remembered what it felt like to be someone of value—not just an exile or a servant.
Padding to the bathroom, I indulged in my newly established morning ritual—a long, hot shower followed by a careful skincare routine. The expensive products Jasper had provided still felt foreign in my hands, but I couldn't deny their effectiveness. My skin looked healthier than it had in years.
As I applied a light moisturizer, I studied my reflection. The face looking back at me was changing—still bearing the hallmarks of my time in exile, but slowly reclaiming something of the woman I'd once been. I traced the barely visible silver mark on my neck, making sure it was faint enough to be covered with makeup later.
My wolf stirred beneath my skin, sensing my anticipation for tonight's event. "Stay calm", I told her silently. "We just need to get through this evening without drawing too much attention."
The sudden, sharp knock at my door made me jump. Glancing at the clock—7:00 AM exactly—I frowned. Who would be here this early? I quickly pulled on a robe and moved cautiously to the door, scenting the air. Alpha Stone.
"Coming," I called, tightening my robe before opening the door.
Jasper Stone stood in my doorway, impeccably dressed in a dark charcoal suit that highlighted his broad shoulders. His silver-gray tie perfectly matched his eyes, which were currently narrowed at me with a mixture of impatience and disbelief.
"You're still sleeping?" he asked, his voice carrying that distinctive Alpha rumble. "Didn't we agree I'd pick you up at seven?"
I blinked in confusion. "I thought the event was this evening."
"It is," he said, stepping past me into my apartment without waiting for an invitation—typical Alpha behavior. "But we have preparations to make first. I told you this when I left two days ago."
Had he? My memory flashed back to our last conversation, and I vaguely recalled him mentioning something about "preparation time" before he left. I'd been so distracted by his scents that I hadn't fully processed his words.
"I'm sorry," I said, straightening my shoulders. "Give me five minutes to get dressed."
"No need," he replied, walking to my bedroom and returning with a large garment bag I hadn't noticed him carrying. "I brought something for you to wear. It matches my suit."
My wolf bristled slightly at his presumption, but I tamped down the feeling. This wasn't the time to challenge an Alpha who was, for his own reasons, helping me.
Inside the bag was a stunning silver-gray dress with subtle beading that caught the light. The fabric felt impossibly soft against my skin.
"I'll wait in the living room," Jasper said, his tone making it clear this wasn't a request.
Ten minutes later, I emerged in the dress, which fit as though it had been tailored specifically for me—which, I realized with a start, it probably had been. Jasper looked up from his phone, his eyes widening almost imperceptibly before he regained his composure.
"Good," he said simply, rising to his feet. "Let's go."
---
The Stone Group headquarters was even more impressive in the morning light—a towering structure of glass and steel that dominated the Silverstone Pack's commercial district. Jasper led me through a private entrance and up to a floor I hadn't visited before.
"This is our image consulting division," he explained as we walked down a corridor lined with photographs of elegant wolves in various high-fashion settings. "They handle appearances for all our public-facing executives."
A team of Beta wolves was waiting for us, their expressions professionally neutral though I could sense their curiosity about me. Their leader, a sleek female with perfectly styled blonde hair, stepped forward.
"Alpha Stone," she greeted Jasper with appropriate deference before turning to me. "Ms. Porter, welcome. I'm Vanessa, head of image consulting. We're going to take excellent care of you today."
What followed was the most thorough beauty treatment I'd ever experienced. My hair was washed, conditioned, trimmed, and styled. My nails were shaped and polished in a subtle silver that matched my dress. A makeup artist spent nearly an hour on my face, carefully concealing the silver mark on my neck while enhancing my features.
Throughout it all, Jasper sat in the corner of the room, occasionally looking up from his phone to check on my progress or give direction to the team. His constant presence made me uneasy, but I understood it was part of establishing his claim over me in the eyes of his pack.
"The earrings," he said at one point, gesturing to a velvet box that Vanessa had just opened. "The diamond drops, not the studs."
When they finally turned me to face the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The woman looking back at me was elegant, poised, with an air of sophistication I hadn't possessed even before my exile. My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, and the makeup enhanced my eyes while giving my skin a luminous quality.
"What do you think?" Vanessa asked, though her eyes were on Jasper, not me.
Jasper studied me carefully, then nodded. "My taste is impeccable, as always."
His comment sent a ripple of appreciative laughter through the team. I forced a smile, knowing this was how the game was played.
Vanessa moved toward me with a final item—a stunning diamond necklace that caught the light with dazzling brilliance. As she began to fasten it around my neck, I instinctively pulled back.
"This doesn't seem appropriate," I said, my voice softer than I intended. "It's too much."
Jasper crossed the room in three strides, his presence suddenly overwhelming as he stood behind me, his reflection joining mine in the mirror.
"It's perfectly appropriate," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Today, you have two roles to play—my companion as Alpha Stone, and Mia Porter, Stone Group's designer. If you're dressed too simply, you'll be ridiculed, and by extension, so will I."
Our eyes met in the mirror, and I saw the challenge in his. This wasn't just about appearances—it was about establishing who was in control. I gave a small nod, and he stepped back, satisfied.
Vanessa fastened the necklace, and Jasper approved the final look with a curt nod before checking his watch.
"We'll take a short break for lunch," he announced. "Vanessa, have everything ready to refresh Ms. Porter's look at four o'clock. The event begins at six."
---
Jasper led me to a private dining room where a light meal had been arranged—grilled chicken, fresh salad, and a selection of fruits. My stomach growled at the sight, reminding me I hadn't eaten breakfast.
"Eat," Jasper said, gesturing to the table as he took a seat. "Social events require stamina, especially for someone still recovering from exile."
I sat across from him and began to eat, conscious of his watchful gaze. The food was excellent—simple but perfectly prepared.
"You remind me of my brother," I said suddenly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Jasper's eyebrows rose. "Ethan Riley? How so?"
"He always made sure I ate before important events," I explained, surprised that Jasper knew my brother's name. "He said hunger makes people make bad decisions."
My throat tightened as memories of Ethan flooded back—his protective stance whenever I faced difficulties, his rare but genuine smile when I made him proud, the way he'd ruffle my hair even when I was too old for such gestures.
"The last time I saw him," I continued, my voice growing softer, "was the night I got engaged to Thorne. He promised to save me and help me find a lawyer to defend me."
To my horror, tears began to well in my eyes. I blinked rapidly, trying to force them back, but one escaped, trailing down my cheek. I turned my face away, mortified to show such weakness in front of an Alpha.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, my wolf whimpering inside me. "It's just been so long..."