Chapter 183
Freya’s POV
I swallowed hard, my suspicions confirmed. "Did she say anything else?"
"No, but her reaction was telling." Emma tapped her fingers against the table. "When Alpha Thorne returned, she practically dragged him out of here."
A server appeared with the check, which Emma quickly signed. "Let's go," she said, rising from her chair. "We should get you back to the hospital."
We were nearly at the door when Mark stepped forward. "Ms. White, I'll be escorting Ms. Potter back to her residence, per Alpha Thorne's instructions."
Emma's posture stiffened, her eyes flashing with an uncharacteristic display of Beta defiance. "That won't be necessary. I drove her here, and I'll drive her back."
Mark didn't move. "Alpha Thorne was explicit in his orders."
I touched Emma's arm gently. "It's okay, Emma. I'll be fine with Mark."
She hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Call me when you get back to the hospital."
Mark led me toward the exit, maintaining a respectful distance. As we reached the lobby, Emma called out, "Mark!"
He turned, his expression questioning.
"I drove here," she said, keys dangling from her fingertips. "You can follow us."
Mark's mouth twitched in what might have been amusement. "As you wish, Ms. White."
Outside, the night air was cool against my heated skin. Emma walked me to her car, opening the passenger door for me.
"Are you alright?" she asked quietly as I settled into the seat.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The events of the evening had left me emotionally drained, my thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and conflicting desires.
Emma got in and started the engine, glancing in the rearview mirror to confirm Mark was following us. "You were gone a long time in that restroom," she observed, her tone carefully neutral.
"I needed a moment," I replied evasively.
"Did Alpha Thorne find you there?"
I jerked my head toward her, startled. "What makes you think that?"
Emma's lips curved in a knowing smile. "He disappeared for the same amount of time, and when he returned, he smelled like you."
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I turned to stare out the window. "It's not what you think."
"I'm not judging you, Freya. I'm concerned." She paused, then added, "Whatever happened between you two affected him. He barely looked at Kaelin after he returned."
I remained silent, watching the city lights blur past as we drove. My leg no longer ached, Thorne's Alpha healing working its way through my system. The memory of his promise echoed in my mind: "I won't marry her until I know the truth."
"Freya," Emma's voice cut through my thoughts. "Whatever you're planning, be careful. You're playing a dangerous game."
"I'm not playing anything," I protested. "I just want to survive."
When Mark approached as we exited the restaurant, I gently convinced him that there was no need to follow us. "I'll be fine with Emma," I assured him. "Please, I just need some space tonight."
After a moment's hesitation, he nodded and stepped back. "As you wish, Ms. Potter. Alpha Grey won't be pleased, but I understand."
As we arrived at the hospital entrance, I was surprised to see Miles Everett waiting outside, his tall figure illuminated by the soft glow of the entrance lights.
"Miles?" I questioned, confused by his presence.
Emma tensed beside me. "Dr. Everett," she acknowledged, her tone professional but cool.
Miles approached us, his eyes flashing gold momentarily as he took in my appearance. "I got a call from Karen. She said you'd been out for hours and she was worried." He glanced at Emma with barely concealed suspicion. "I've been waiting quite a while."
"I'm fine," I assured him, though the fatigue was starting to catch up with me. "Just a business dinner."
Emma and Miles exchanged terse pleasantries, a current of tension running between them. After a brief conversation, Emma squeezed my hand.
"Call me tomorrow," she said, her eyes conveying a silent warning before she turned and left.
Miles watched her car disappear before turning his attention fully to me. I was suddenly conscious of how steady I was on my feet, despite the injury that had left me barely mobile that morning.
"You're walking remarkably well," he observed, his medical training evident in his assessing gaze. "Almost as if you weren't seriously injured just days ago."
I swallowed nervously. "I'm feeling much better."
Inside the hospital, Miles guided me back to the treatment room, his disapproval growing more evident with each step. Once the door closed behind us, he turned to face me.
"What were you thinking, leaving without clearance?" he asked, his voice low but intense. "You're injured, Freya. That's not something to take lightly."
I lowered my head in genuine apology. "I'm sorry. I had an important meeting that couldn't wait."
Miles' gaze softened. He stepped closer, examining me with professional scrutiny.
"Your wound is healing at an extraordinary rate," he said, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Even for a Beta werewolf, this recovery is impossible."
I fumbled for an explanation. "I think my wolf finally broke through the silver suppression. Started healing on its own."
Miles' expression made it clear he didn't believe me. "I can smell your lie, Freya. We grew up in the same pack, remember? But I won't push." A half-smile crossed his face. "It's good to see you healing, regardless of how it happened."
Karen entered then, her surprise evident when she saw me standing unassisted. "Ms. Riley! Your recovery is remarkable!"
"It is," Miles agreed, though his eyes remained speculative. "Still, I'd recommend one more night of observation."
While Karen checked my vitals, I thought about the pendant and ring designs I needed to complete. "I need to get back to work tomorrow," I said. "These designs are time-sensitive."
"The binding ceremony jewelry?" Miles asked, his voice carefully neutral.
I nodded, not meeting his eyes. "Both the pendant and the rings. The client specifically requested me."
Miles didn't respond immediately, but I could sense his disapproval. Finally, he sighed. "We'll discuss discharge options in the morning. For now, rest."
That night, my sleep was fitful, filled with dreams that shifted between memories of my exile in the Forgotten Wilds and more recent events. In one particularly vivid sequence, I felt Thorne's wolf calling to mine across the distance, the pull so powerful it woke me in the middle of the night, my heart racing and skin covered in a fine sheen of sweat.
I lay awake afterward, listening to the quiet sounds of the hospital at night, wondering what the next day would bring—and whether I was ready to face Thorne Grey again.