Chapter 21
Freya's POV
Thorne's golden-flecked eyes bore into mine, his Alpha presence pressing down on me like a physical weight. The drunk wolf who had promised me passage to Silver Stone territory had already scurried away, leaving me alone to face the most powerful wolf in Moon Bay—the one who had condemned me to hell.
"Get in the car," Thorne ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
My wolf bristled at the command, a low growl forming in my throat that I quickly swallowed down. My human side knew better than to refuse an Alpha in this state. I followed him to a sleek black luxury sedan parked nearby, each step sending fresh waves of pain through my injured body.
As the car door closed behind me, I was enveloped in Thorne's scent. It filled the enclosed space, making my wolf whine in confused recognition. The interior was plush leather and polished wood, a stark contrast to the gritty Shadow District we were leaving behind.
Thorne settled into the driver's seat, his movements precise and controlled. The silence between us grew heavy and uncomfortable as he pulled away from the curb.
"Clearly you need more supervision than I thought," he finally said, his voice cold and detached.
My anger flared, hot and sudden. "You shut down the Moon Howl, and now you show up here... are you monitoring me?" The accusation came out sharper than I intended, my wolf's irritation bleeding into my words.
"As Alpha Judge, it's my duty to keep tabs on dangerous elements," he replied without looking at me, his profile harsh in the passing streetlights.
I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped me. "Dangerous? I couldn't even fight off a drunk wolf... is that what you consider dangerous?" My hand instinctively pressed against my side where the worst of my internal injuries throbbed.
Thorne shot me a sharp glance, his eyes momentarily flashing gold. "Forming connections with Silver Stone is dangerous. You have no idea what you were about to get yourself involved in."
The silence that followed was suffocating. I stared out the window, watching the Shadow District fade away as we moved toward the more affluent parts of Moon Bay. Buildings grew taller, cleaner, more elegant—a world I had once belonged to and now was barred from.
"I was just trying to survive," I said softly, the fight draining out of me. "To find my family..."
Thorne's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening, but he offered no response. The scent of his emotions shifted subtly—something complex I couldn't quite identify threading through his usual Alpha musk.
---
The car pulled up to the entrance of a luxury five-star hotel, its facade gleaming with lights that highlighted its modern architecture. Golden illumination spilled from the entrance where uniformed staff stood at attention. I stared at the building in confusion, my wolf's wariness spiking.
"Why are you bringing me here?" I asked, suspicion coloring my voice.
"Temporary arrangements," Thorne replied tersely as he stepped out of the car and came around to my side. "This place is under my control. No one will dare disturb you here."
I remained seated, reluctant to follow him into yet another place where I had no power. My wolf cowered, remembering the last time I had been at his mercy. "From one cage to another," I muttered, the words bitter on my tongue. "The Alpha's mercy is truly touching."
Something flickered in Thorne's eyes—irritation, perhaps, or maybe something else. His nostrils flared slightly, no doubt catching the scent of my fear and defiance. "Would you have preferred to go with that drunk wolf?" he asked, a dangerous edge to his voice.
I met his gaze directly, refusing to be cowed despite my wolf's instinct to submit. "At least he offered a way out of this hell."
"Jasper Stone is not your salvation," Thorne said, his voice hardening, a subtle growl underlying his words. "He's just using you to get to me."
"At least that means I have some value," I replied quietly, the truth of my situation settling heavily on my shoulders. "Rather than just being a discarded exile."
Thorne's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more, simply gesturing for me to exit the car. I complied, wincing as the movement aggravated my internal injuries. The transition from sitting to standing sent a wave of dizziness through me that I fought to hide.
The hotel staff practically bowed as Thorne led me through the lobby, their eyes carefully averted, though I caught their curious glances—clearly wondering what an exile was doing with the Alpha Judge. Their scents betrayed their confusion, a mixture of deference toward Thorne and disdain toward me.
---
The presidential suite was larger than my entire apartment building in the Shadow District. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Moon Bay, the city lights glittering below. Luxurious furniture, artwork, and a massive bed dominated the space.
As soon as the door closed behind us, the atmosphere changed instantly. The air felt charged, electric. My skin prickled with awareness of Thorne's proximity. His scent intensified in the enclosed space, filling my nose with his distinctive Alpha musk. I heard his heartbeat quicken slightly, and my own responded in kind.
Thorne leaned against the door, watching me. His eyes traveled slowly over my body, assessing, calculating. The coldness in his gaze was tinged with something darker, hungrier.
"Wasn't it money you wanted?" he asked, voice low and measured. "For money, you'd even accept a drunk."
Heat rushed to my face, a mixture of shame and anger. My wolf bared her teeth inside me, bristling at the accusation. "I need to survive," I said, my voice rougher than I intended. "I need to find my family." I swallowed hard, throat tight with emotion. "You wouldn't understand."
Thorne pushed himself away from the door and walked toward me. Each step was deliberate, predatory. His eyes never left mine, pupils expanding slightly to reveal more gold than before. I backed up instinctively until my legs hit the edge of a sofa.
"I can give you more," he said, stopping just inches from me. "Far more than that drunk wolf could ever provide." His voice dropped lower, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "All you have to do is come to me. Seduce me."
My mouth went dry. My heart pounded so hard I was certain he could hear it. The scent of his arousal mingled with his Alpha pheromones, creating an intoxicating mix that made my wolf stir restlessly within me.
"Is this the justice of the Alpha Judge?" I managed to ask, my voice barely steady. "Using power to exchange for—"
"Don't act so high and mighty, Freya," Thorne cut me off. He stepped closer, eliminating the space between us. His breath warmed my face. His scent surrounded me, making it difficult to think clearly. "When you pursued me before, wasn't power exactly what you wanted?"
The accusation hit too close to home. My wolf whined, acknowledging the truth in his words. I had wanted him partly for his position, for what he could offer my family. But there had been more to it than that—an admiration for his intelligence, his sense of justice, his strength. Things I couldn't admit now, not when he stood before me as my enemy.
I stood frozen, trapped between my body's traitorous response to his proximity and my mind's desperate attempt to maintain control. My breathing quickened despite my efforts to appear calm. My wolf pushed against my consciousness, urging me to submit to the Alpha before me.
I needed to survive. I needed resources to find my family. Pride wouldn't feed me or lead me to them.
I took a deep breath, inhaling his scent, letting it wash over me. "Yes," I admitted, my voice a harsh whisper. "I need money and protection." I stepped forward, closing the last distance between us. "I'm willing to pay the price."