One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 161 Audrey

The familiar facade of Claudia's estate came into view, pebbled driveway crunching under the car's tires as Edwin pulled in. The windows glowed with golden-yellow lights, music spilling out into the night air. The driveway was packed with expensive sports cars, elegantly-dressed guests mingling in the windows with glasses of champagne in their hands. Despite the light coating of snow dusting the ground outside, the inside of the house looked warm and inviting.

But I felt cold inside, even in the white fur stole that Edwin had given me to wrap around my shoulders.

I shivered as I looked out the windshield.

"I can't believe we're doing this," I muttered.

Edwin sighed and put the car in park behind a particularly expensive-looking red Miata and turned to me. "We can still turn around if you really want to."

Swallowing hard, I quickly shook my head. "No. I said I would do it, so I will. It's just. I leaned forward to get a better look at the front door, where another couple was making their way inside. There are so many people here."

My mate reached over and gripped my trembling hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You'll have me by your side. If you get nervous, just look at me. Not them."

1 nodded and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my racing heart, although it did little to help in the long run. I was terrified.

Ever since Edwin had told me about his plans to attend Fiona's birthday, we had doubled down on my training. We had spent hours upon hours practicing, pushing my limits until I could slip into his mind with

ease.

The sessions had been exhausting, both m**lly and physically, but I knew they were necessary. My skills were still green, but it was much easier now to read a memory-not just to read it, but to live it as if I were there.

"What if I can't do it?" I whispered, voicing my deepest fear. My voice sounded small, even to my own ears. "What if I freeze up when I see her? Or what if she realizes what's happening and shoves me out of her mind?"

Edwin turned to face me, his gray eyes serious. The intensity of his gaze made my breath catch, even in the dim light of the

car.

"That's why we've practiced, Audrey. You're tougher than you know. You can do it."

to soothe me, didn't help much. But I knew that there was no going back now; Fiona was up something dark, and

a little tighter around

firmly, his jaw set in a hard line. "And she needs to answer for what she did to you. Pushing you off that balcony. She can't

shuddered at the memory, the phantom sensation of falling making my stomach lurch all over again. It hadn't been attempted murder, She had

something again?" I whispered. My voice shook despite my best efforts

I won't let her near you. And once

Chapter 161

dress. It fell to my ankles, paired with strappy silver heels that matched the silver locket that had belonged to my adoptive mother-I hadn't taken it off since Edwin had

to me.

as I touched it. Then, my hand moved to the silver streak in my hair next,

with Edwin's help. It had taken several washes, and it still wasn't entirely its original color, but...

the rest of my hair for now,

exposed, I admitted, gesturing to myself. "All this silver. What if

of mint. I relaxed instantly. "Stop it. You look beautiful," he murmured, his breath tickling my skin. "Absolutely stunning. And remember the plan-we won't reveal your silver streak or make

purposely drawing attention to the part of myself I'd hidden for so long felt terrifying, like a dragon exposing the soft flesh where one missing scale

before."

pulled me close, his arms strong and comforting around me. I breathed in his scent, letting it calm me. "But you're the Silver Star. It's time to

smiling slightly. "I

moment, just holding each other. The steady beat of Edwin's heart against my ear helped soothe

the front door. The gravel crunched beneath our feet, the sound seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet night air. Before we could knock, it swung open to reveal Claudia, beaming at us.

it!" She pulled me into a tight hug, her familiar scent washing over

see you, Claudia," I said, returning the hug. We hadn't seen each other in person since her birthday party, the night everything changed. The night I died. Our meetings had been over video call-and now that I was

That much more.. familiar.

So, so familiar.

too. But her gaze traveled over me, noting every change. "Oh

The compliment, while kind, made me feel even more self-conscious. "Thank

Claudia ushered us inside, still gushing. The warmth of the house enveloped us, along with the sounds of

mused as we made our way

hand a squeeze. At that moment, my wolf suddenly perked up. A word