One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 143 Audrey

Edwin stepped closer to me, his eyes darting nervously over his shoulder. I couldn't decide whether I was about to pass out, run to him, or launch myself over the balcony.

"Fiona is in the restroom, he said in a low, urgent voice. "We only have a moment. Have you... have your mind?"

made up your

His gaze softened as he looked at me, a small smile playing on his lips. He added, "You look beautiful tonight, by the way. That dress... did you make it yourself?"

I nodded, smoothing down the fabric of my emerald green gown. "I did. Thank you."

His throat bobbed, those gray eyes flicking up my dress before landing on me again. My heart clenched just at the sight of him, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. This was it. I had to do it now, before I lost my nerve.

"Edwin, I..." I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "My answer is no. I won't be your girlfriend."

His face fell, confusion and hurt flashing across his features. His eyes shifted from a stormy gray to a pale yellow glow, and the sight made my stomach ache even more..

"But... why? I thought... I thought you felt the same way I did," he said softly. "I thought you"

"I love you," I blurted out. Even though my voice was barely above a whisper, the words felt heavy, beautiful, heartwrenching. I quickly looked away from Edwin's shocked expression.

“I'm just a human,” I managed, wrapping my arms around myself. “I'll never be seen as anything more than a plaything. You should find your fated mate."

Edwin's eyes flashed, the yellow glow intensifying. He took a step forward, reaching for me. I didn't pull back, not right away: I wanted to feel his fingers brush my skin one last time.

"Audrey, no. How could you think that? I love you, and I would never view you as a plaything. If I somehow found my fated mate, I would easily sever the bond without a second thought because I just want you. Only you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Edwin suddenly tensed, his head turning slightly. His nostrils flared, and I knew he was catching a scent I couldn't detect.

here. It's too dangerous." He turned back to me, and there was an urgency in his eyes that made my heart stop. "Audrey, please be careful tonight Stay away from Fiona

creeping into my

these two minutes," Edwin said, his voice strained the ran a hand through his hair, messing up the carefully styled swoop. "But I couldn't resist. Your perfume tonight has been... intoxicating. It's been drawing me closer to you all night. I can hardly think straight when

nor

disappearing into the crowd before Fiona could spot us together. I

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through my hair and making me shudder. I looked down at the sheer drop below the balcony, the river a dark ribbon in the distance. Had I made

the remainder of the party, I didn't see Edwin or Fiona up close. I tried to leave at one point, but Claudia caught me before I reached the door, smiling and

it was time for dinner. Blissfully, my seat was toward the back, far from

the clinking of cutlery and soft murmur of conversation

light, shimmering like spun gold. Her smile was wide as she

my inspiration. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. Happy birthday,

and I could see the designer logo even from where I sat. Claudia opened it, gasping, as she pulled out an extremely expensive

that Fiona's eyes flicked to me then,

spoil her mother. I wished I could have known my biological mother, to have heard her voice, felt her embrace. I missed my adoptive mother fiercely in that moment,

I could

had me snapping my gaze

have an announcement to make." She paused for effect, her eyes seeming to slide towards

and I are

my face, my hands shaking as I set down my glass. The room seemed to spin around me, the sounds becoming m***d and distant. Across the room, I caught a glimpse of Edwin. He looked pale, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes searching the crowd until they

handle it. The walls felt like they were closing in, the air thick and suffocating. Mumbling an excuse to the people at my table, I stood up and

the bathroom, I found a side balcony where no one else was. I stepped out into the cool night air, gripping the railing as I tried to steady my breathing. The

better this way, I told myself as I wrapped my

words rang hollow, even to my own

engagement had been this... shapeless thing. This enigma that both did and