The Alpha’s Exiled Mate Chapter 20

The Alpha’s Exiled Mate Chapter 20

“You look better,” she commented as I sat down, “at least not like you’ve been crying.”

I couldn’t help but smile, appreciating her directness. “Sleep helps, usually.” I didn’t mention

the nightmares that had punctuated that sleep.

The server brought menus, and we ordered several plates of mixed grilled meats. When the

food arrived, I nearly salivated. Fresh beef, pork, and lamb-luxuries I couldn’t dream of in the

Wilds.

I noticed Terra watching me cut my meat, and I paused, looking at her questioningly.

“What?” My voice was sharper than intended, defensive.

“Nothing,” she shook her head, “just… the way you cut your meat. Very… precise. Like upper

society wolves do.”

I froze, my hand tightening on the knife. I hadn’t even realized. Those etiquette lessons

learned at the Riley family table remained in my muscle memory, even after three years of

exile. My mother’s voice echoed in my head: “Small pieces, Freya. A lady doesn’t tear at her

meat.”

“I guess some habits are hard to break,” I said quietly, suddenly feeling a pang of nostalgia and

loss.

Terra nodded, not pressing further. We ate in silence for a while, enjoying the simple pleasure

of good food.

“I want to buy a phone,” I finally broke the silence. “A smartphone. Do you know where I could

get one that’s affordable but decent?”

Terra swallowed her food and wiped her mouth. “There’s an electronics market at the edge of

the Shadow District. They do second-hand phone trades. Reasonable prices, most work fine.”

She paused, her head tilting curiously. “What do you need a phone for?”

“To contact… potential employers,” I said, which wasn’t entirely a lie, but not the whole truth

either. I didn’t want to tell her I planned to use it to search for information about my family;

it sounded too naive.

“Employers. Right.” Terra’s expression told me she didn’t entirely believe my explanation, but

she didn’t push. “I can take you after lunch.”

“Thank you,” I said sincerely, “not just for the phone help. Thank you for last night, and for

keeping me company for this meal.”

Terra looked slightly embarrassed. “Don’t mention it. It’s nothing. Wolves help each other,

right? Even in places like the Shadow District.”

“In the Wilds,” I said softly, my eyes growing distant, “no help is taken for granted. Every act of kindness deserves thanks.” My fingers unconsciously traced the scar at my neck where the

silver collar had been. “Kindness is rare when everyone is fighting to survive.”

“What was it like? The Wilds?” Terra asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “I’ve never seen

anyone come back from exile… oh, sorry, I shouldn’t ask.”

“It’s okay,” I said, though the memories were still painful. “The Wilds are… a place where you

have to forget who you once were to survive. Forget all the manners, rules, and expectations.

Only the most basic wolf instincts remain: hunt, fight, survive.” I paused. “Sometimes I think

it was more honest there, without the pretenses and politics.”

Terra nodded, her expression becoming serious. “I was born in the Shadow District, never

experienced the high life in Moon Light Forest. But even here, we have our own rules and

hierarchies.”

“Do you have family?” I asked, suddenly realizing how little I knew about this girl who’d

helped me.

“My mother passed away, and my father… well, he has a new family in another city,” Terra said

flatly, though I could smell the hint of sadness in her scent. “The folks at the Howl are kind of

my family now.”

I thought about the rude customers and indifferent staff at the bar, and felt a surge of

sympathy. “We all find ways to survive, don’t we?”

Terra smiled and raised her glass. “To survival, and whatever small joys we can find.”

I raised my own glass to touch hers. “To survival.” The toast felt significant, like a pact

between us.

We chatted about inconsequential things for a while, the atmosphere lightening considerably. When we finished eating, I insisted on paying the bill despite Terra’s protests.

“My treat, remember?” I smiled. “As a thank you.”