One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 162 Audrey

Fiona's smile was even more saccharine than I remembered it being as she approached, her eyes gleaming with false warmth. I tensed, my hand instinctively tightening around Edwin's arm. I felt him tense, too, a ripple of discomfort flickering across our mate bond.

Edwin stepped slightly in front of me, his body serving as a subtle shield between Fiona and me just in case she tried anything. "Fiona," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "I can explain." "No need." Fiona waved a dismissive hand, her platinum blonde hair catching the light as she moved. "There's nothing to explain. I understand that you two are fated mates. How... joyous The word dripped with insincerity, but her face remained a mask of pleasantness. She continued, her voice syrupy sweet, "You cannot get in the way of fate, after all. I completely understand why our engagement had to be called off."

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She paused, her eyes flickering over to me. Those cold blue irises darkened as she looked at me. "...And I'm truly happy for

you

both. Who knows: maybe I'll find my fated mate now."

With that last sentence, she leaned over and winked at me. I thought I might be sick.

Just then, I felt another flicker through the bond. Edwin and I both knew that she was lying through her teeth, that her words couldn't be further from the truth.

The tension in the air was palpable, and I could practically feel the gears turning in Fiona's head. She was planning something, I was sure of it.

At that moment, Edwin's voice echoed in my mind through our bond: "Now is our chance. Try to touch her somehow. We need to read her memories."

I nodded imperceptibly and stepped forward, extending my hand. "Thank you for understanding. Fiona. I hope we can move on from this."

But before I could make contact, Fiona took a step back. Her smile never wavered, but her eyes were cold. "Of course. But please, enjoy the party. If you'll excuse me, I have other guests to attend to." With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd. I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. I hated to admit it, but I was glad that I hadn't had a chance to see into her mind just yet. I wasn't sure if I was ready.

"Sorry," I said, turning to face Edwin

Edwin put his arm around my shoulders and shook his head. "Nothing to apologize for. We'll have plenty of time tonight. Let's get a drink."

The house was crowded, each room stuffed with elegantly- dressed people. A few noticed my silver locket and shoes and curled their lips at

was so crowded.

something else," I said through our Mindlink. "When Claudia hugged me earlier,

across our bond. "What? Are you sure? But Claudia only had one

it. It doesn't make any sense, but... the feeling was so strong. Her scent was so familiar. Like

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Chapter 162

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moment, his expression thoughtful. Then "It's possible your wolf might have mistaken Claudia as your mother because of your close relationship. Remember, you've only had virtual meetings with her these past weeks. Your wolf hasn't had a chance to scent her properly yet. She might

this one. Isn't that strange?" "It's a common design. I'm not trying to discount your experience, and I do think we should look into it. But try not

warmth began to soothe my frayed nerves. As we sipped, I scanned the room for Fiona. She was flitting from group to group, never staying in one place for long. Every so often, she would

remember how I fell; it was what I had told everyone, after all. Or maybe she knew that we knew and figured we'd come after her in the same way she

certainly making herself hard to pin down

was a lynx in the jungle. This was her terrain. Not ours. And she was good at what she did. "She might suspect we're up to something," he

I had seen the incident through Fiona's eyes. "In her memory, it didn't seem like she wanted to push me. It was more like

jaw clenched. "That doesn't excuse what she

agreed. "But it might help us understand her motivations better, at the very

several attempts to get closer to Fiona. Each time, she managed to slip away just as I approached. It was becoming increasingly frustrating, and soon,

the buffet table-she had slipped away the moment she saw me. "She's avoiding us like

need a new

around from the left, you take the

passing waiter, using it as a prop to

hear

is going to take territory