The Alpha's Exiled Mate

Chapter 12

DECLAN

I stride down the hallway, putting distance between myself and Celeste. Each step feels like shaking off something clinging and unwanted.

She follows anyway. Of course she does.

"Declan, wait—"

I stop and turn to face her, my patience already threadbare. "What?"

She blinks at my tone, her carefully practiced expression faltering for just a second before she smooths it back into place.

"I just want to understand," she says, her voice dropping to something meant to sound gentle. Concerned. "You seem so distant lately. I thought finding Dr. W would bring you some relief, but you're still—"

"Still what?" I cut her off.

She hesitates, then steps closer. Too close. "Still unhappy. With me."

I let out a breath through my nose, my jaw tight.

"Let me make something very clear to you, Celeste." My voice comes out cold, controlled. "The only reason I'm maintaining this mate bond is because my parents are dying. They're too weak to handle any more shocks right now. That's it. That's the only reason."

Her face goes pale.

"Once they recover," I continue, meeting her eyes directly, "I will reject you. Without hesitation."

The words land like stones, each one deliberate and final.

Celeste's mouth opens, then closes. For once, she seems genuinely at a loss for words.

Good.

I turn to leave, but her voice stops me.

"So you still have Aria on your mind, don't you?"

The question comes out sharp. Sneering. Like she's trying to wound me with it.

I turn back, irritation flashing through me hot and immediate. "What does that have to do with you?"

She flinches.

I stare at her for another moment, then shake my head. She's being unreasonable. Delusional, even. I'm done with this conversation.

I turn and walk away.

Antony falls into step beside me without a word, his expression carefully neutral. Smart. He knows better than to comment right now.

Behind me, I hear Celeste's voice, soft and murmuring.

I slow just slightly, my wolf's ears picking up the words even though I wish they wouldn't.

"You'll come back to me." Her tone is tender, almost crooning. Like she's talking to a child. "Your wolf will grow fond of me too. The Goddess made us fated mates… you'll forget her. You'll be with me."

I pause.

Just for a moment.

My jaw clenches, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

I say nothing.

Then I walk away without looking back.

ARIA

"Aria!"

I barely have time to turn before Sarah Cole is pulling me into a tight hug, her arms wrapped around me like she's trying to keep me from disappearing.

Mr. Cole stands a few feet away, his face drawn with worry. Ethan is beside him, his expression carefully blank, but I can see the tension in his shoulders.

"We were so worried," Sarah says, pulling back to look at me. Her eyes are red-rimmed, her cheeks wet with tears. "When Ethan told us what happened—that you were leaving because of your ex—we had to come. We had to find you."

My stomach drops.

Ethan wasn't supposed to tell them. He promised he'd keep my past hidden, that he wouldn't drag his family into my problems.

But as I look at Sarah's tear-stained face, at Mr. Cole's protective stance, I realize why he broke that promise.

They care about me. Too much to let me disappear without understanding why.

"Please," Sarah says, her voice breaking. "Please don't go back to that world. Don't go back to him."

"Sarah—"

"I found you six years ago," she continues, the words tumbling out fast and desperate. "You were bleeding. Terrified. You could barely stand. I watched you build a life here, watched you become strong and independent. I can't—I can't watch you go back to someone who hurt you like that."

Tears stream down her face, and Mr. Cole steps forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"We're not trying to control you, Aria," he says quietly. "But we care about you. About those kids. If you're in danger—"

"I'm not," I say quickly.

The lie sits heavy on my tongue, but I can't tell them the truth. Can't explain that I'm going back to the pack that exiled me, to the man who destroyed me, all while pretending to be someone else.

They wouldn't understand. And even if they did, they'd try to stop me.

"I'm not in danger," I repeat, meeting Sarah's eyes. "I promise."

She searches my face, clearly unconvinced.

"Then why are you leaving?" she asks. "Why now?"

I take a breath, choosing my words carefully. "It's work. Just work. I have a contract—a medical case that needs my expertise. It's temporary. A few weeks at most. Then I'll be back, and we'll leave. Travel, like I've always planned."

Sarah's expression wavers between relief and lingering worry.

Mr. Cole steps closer, his voice gentle. "And you're sure you'll be safe?"

"I'm sure."

It's not entirely a lie. Declan won't hurt me—not physically, at least. Not as long as I'm Dr. W. And as long as he doesn't discover my identity, I can keep myself and the children safe.

Sarah lets out a shaky breath, her shoulders sagging with relief. "Okay. Okay, if you're sure—"

"We'll watch the children," Mr. Cole says firmly. "For as long as you need. You focus on your work, and don't worry about them. They'll be safe with us."

"We'll spoil them rotten," Sarah adds, her smile wobbly but genuine. "They won't even miss you."

The words hit me harder than they should, gratitude swelling in my chest.

They're offering without me even having to ask. Opening their home, their hearts, without hesitation.

I blink back tears, my throat tight. "Thank you. I don't know how to—"

"You don't have to thank us," Sarah says, pulling me into another hug. "You're family, Aria. That's what family does."

I hold onto her, letting the warmth of her words sink in.

When I finally pull away, I see Lily, Noah, and Emma playing with Mr. Cole by the car. He's making silly faces at them, and they're giggling, completely at ease.

Warmth fills my chest, spreading through me like sunlight.

These people saved me. Not just six years ago when Sarah found me bleeding on the street, but every day since. They gave me a home, a purpose, a family I never thought I'd have.

I watch Mr. Cole lift Emma onto his shoulders, her laughter ringing out bright and clear.

I'm going to miss this. Miss them.

But I'll come back. I have to.

A hand touches my elbow gently, and I turn to find Ethan standing beside me.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" he asks quietly.

I glance at him, confused. "Sure. What's wrong?"

"Just... come with me."

He gestures toward a quieter spot away from the cars, away from his parents and the kids.

I follow him, uncertainty curling in my stomach.

What does he want to say?