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 bustling party. The house was crowded, each room stuffed with elegantly- dressed people. A few noticed my silver locket and

was so crowded.

something else," I said through our Mindlink. "When

surprise emanating across our bond. "What? Are you sure? But Claudia only

"I don't understand it. It doesn't make any sense,

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Chapter 162

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of your close relationship. Remember, you've only had virtual meetings with her these past

words. It made sense, but something still felt off. "Maybe you're right," I said, not entirely convinced. "But Claudia said she used to have a locket just like 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 to read too much into it

tickling the back of my throat. The 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 glance over her shoulder as if checking to make

she believed the lie that I didn't 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

down tonight, isn't she?" I muttered to

This was her terrain. Not ours. And she was good at what she did. "She

had, clear as day, when I had seen the incident through Fiona's eyes. "In her memory, it didn't seem like she wanted to push me.

doesn't

it might help us understand her motivations better, at

closer to Fiona. Each time, she managed to slip away just as

working." I hissed to Edwin after another failed attempt to talk to her at the buffet table-she had

scanning the throng. "We need a new strategy. Perhaps

circle around from the

I grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter, using it as a prop to blend in. As I maneuvered through the party, I overheard snippets

hear about the

is going to take territory from Pinehollow