The Alpha's Exiled Mate

Chapter 10

ARIA

My heart pounds as I stare at Declan through my mask, his offer hanging in the air between us.

Join his pack. Give my children a home. Safety. Protection.

Everything I've been trying to build for them in the human world, he's offering to hand me on a silver platter.

But at what cost?

Kelly stirs uneasily in my mind, torn between the instinct to accept pack protection and the visceral need to run from the man who destroyed us.

I take a breath, forcing myself to think clearly.

The money he's offering would be substantial—enough to pay off my debts completely. Enough to thank Sarah and her family for everything they've done for us. Enough to secure a real future for my children in the human world, wherever we decide to go next.

And then there's Maya.

My chest tightens at the thought of my best friend. The new Gamma. I'd heard through the werewolf grapevine—the patients who came to Dr. W seeking treatment—that she'd been promoted after her father stepped down. That she'd helped handle the aftermath when I was exiled, though I never learned the details.

We were secret friends back then. A rankless orphan wasn't supposed to befriend the Gamma's daughter. The pack hierarchy didn't allow for it. But Maya never cared about that. She'd sneak me books from her father's library, share her lunch when mine ran out, cover for me when I stayed late at the clinic practicing my healing.

If she's sick now, if she's been working herself to exhaustion preparing for Dr. W's arrival...

I owe her. For everything she did for me, even after I left.

"Alright," I hear myself say again, more firmly this time. "I'll come to the pack."

Relief floods Declan's face, so open and genuine that it makes my heart twist painfully.

Behind me, I hear the car door open. Small footsteps patter across the pavement.

"Mama?" Lily's voice is uncertain. "Are we going somewhere new?"

I turn to find all three of them standing there—Lily with her wild curls, Emma clutching her stuffed rabbit, and Noah with those serious gray eyes that look so much like their father's.

They don't understand what's happening. How could they? They're five years old, and I've spent their entire lives keeping them away from the werewolf world.

But they trust me. Even now, confused and uncertain, they're looking at me like I have all the answers.

Noah steps forward, his small hand finding mine. "It's okay, Mama. We know you'll keep us safe."

The maturity in his voice—the understanding—nearly breaks me.

I squeeze his hand and crouch down to their level. "I need you three to be very brave, okay? Mama has to go help some people who are sick. But you're going to stay with Aunt Sarah for a little while."

"Without you?" Emma's voice trembles.

"Just for a little while, baby. I promise."

Lily bounces on her toes, trying to be excited despite the worry in her eyes. "Like an adventure?"

"Exactly like an adventure."

I straighten up and turn back to Declan. He's watching us with an expression I can't quite read—something soft and wistful that disappears the moment he notices me looking.

"I have conditions," I say firmly.

His expression shifts to something more guarded. "Name them."

I take a breath, knowing this is my only chance to protect what matters most.

"First," I say, my voice steady and clear. "This is a contract. Nothing more. I'll come to your pack, I'll provide my services, and when the job is done, I'll leave. My children and I will never join your pack. We're not looking for a home in the werewolf world."

Antony's face falls. The driver looks confused. But Declan just nods slowly.

"Understood. What else?"

"Second," I continue, "no grand celebrations. No announcements. I want complete discretion. The fewer people who know about my presence, the better."

"But—" Antony starts.

Declan holds up a hand, cutting him off. "Agreed. What's the third condition?"

I meet his eyes through the mask, pouring every ounce of seriousness I can muster into my voice.

"Third," I say. "I want you... to never investigate my true identity. If you do, I terminate the contract immediately."

The words hang heavy in the air.

Declan's eyes narrow slightly, and I can see him trying to puzzle me out. Trying to understand why Dr. W would be so adamant about anonymity.

"My identity is my business," I add when he doesn't respond. "If you or anyone in your pack attempts to uncover who I am beneath this mask, if you try to trace my scent or dig into my past, I walk away. No refunds. No second chances. Do you accept?"

For a long moment, he just stares at me.

Then he nods, his expression grave. "I accept all three conditions."

Relief crashes through me so hard I almost sway.

"When can you arrive?" he asks. "Do you need transportation? We can arrange—"

"I'll make my own way," I cut him off. "I need to settle my children first. I'll be there within two days."

"Two days," he repeats, and something flickers across his face. Disappointment? Impatience?

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card, holding it out to me. I take it carefully, making sure our fingers don't touch.

"My direct number," he says. "Call me when you're ready. We'll make sure everything is prepared for your arrival."

I slip the card into my bag without looking at it.

Declan turns to leave, his Beta and driver already heading back to their vehicle. But then he pauses, looking back at me over his shoulder.

"You and her..." he says quietly. "You're very alike."

The words pierce through my carefully constructed walls like a knife.

He doesn't wait for a response. Just turns and walks to his car, sliding into the passenger seat. A moment later, the engine starts, and they pull away, the black sedan disappearing down the road.

I stand there, frozen, his words echoing in my mind.

You and her... you're very alike.

Don't think about it, I tell myself fiercely. Don't let him get in your head.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, startling me out of my thoughts.

I pull it out and see Sarah's name on the screen. At the same moment, I catch sight of a familiar blue pickup truck coming down the road in the distance.

"Aria?" Sarah's voice comes through urgent, almost frantic. "Where are you?"

"I'm—" I glance at the approaching truck, confusion swirling through me. "We're on the road about twenty minutes from town. We had a flat tire—"

"It's Uncle Ethan!" Lily shrieks suddenly, her entire face lighting up as she spots the truck. Emma and Noah start bouncing beside her, waving excitedly at the familiar vehicle.