One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 165

Audrey

The guests had all gone home.

I sat in a

a plush armchair, my hands wrapped around a delicate china teacup. The warmth seeped into my palms, but it did little to ease the tension in the room. Across from me, Fiona perched on the edge of her seat, her narrowed eyes darting between Edwin, Claudia, and me. Her hands were shaking slightly, whether from anger or fear, I couldn't quite tell. Likely both.

Edwin stood by the window, looking out at the lines of cars that were pulling out of the driveway, his arms folded tightly across his chest. His jaw was clenched, a muscle ticking beneath his taut skin, and I could feel waves of fury rolling off of him through our bond.

"We should be hauling her ** back to Crescent," he said through our Mindlink for what felt like the thousandth time since we had sat down "Not drinking tea with the b**h."

"Let's just hear Claudia-my mother, I mean-out." It would take some time to get used to calling Claudia that: my mother. Even through our Mindlink, it felt foreign and confusing. I honestly wasn't even sure if I would ever get used to it.

Edwin huffed in response through our Mindlink. Meanwhile, Claudia sat next to Fiona, one hand resting on her arm in at had it not gesture that was both comforting and restraining. I wondered if Fiona would have tried to pounce on one of us been for that touch.

"You know we can't just let this go," Edwin said, the first to break the heavy silence. "She tried to kill Audrey-my mate. Not to mention the fact that she's been working with Coldclaw for years, trying to carry out some prophecy. She needs to face justice."

Claudia's grip on Fiona's arm tightened. "I understand," she said. "But I won't let you take her. She's my daughter too, Edwin."

"But she's not "I started to say, then bit my tongue. The hurt look on Claudia's face made me regret my words immediately.

"Blood does not make a family, Audrey," Claudia said softly. "I raised Fiona. I love her just as much as I love you."

with surprise. Claudia turned to her, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's not your fault, sweetheart. You were misled, brainwashed by Coldclaw. We'll protect

She's the one we need protection from. She pushed Audrey off a

voice brm "But please, Edwin, have mercy. Let me handle her punishment. We should

Setting down my untouched tea, I stood up and walked over to him,

you think?"

my words carefully. "I think Claudia might be right. Fiona was just a child when this all started. She was manipulated and brainwashed. That doesn't excuse what she did,

Fiona, who simply stared at

moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I trust your judgment," he

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Chapter 165 98%E

as he looked at Fiona, "if you misstep again, if you so much as lay a finger on my mate or anyone else, I won't hesitate to take action. As Alpha of Crescent, I have

her shoulders sagging with relief.

tension between us was palpable. We had become unwilling sisters, bound by a shared

getting used to than calling Claudia

will be okay," Claudia said, hugging Fiona again. "If Coldclaw is threatening you or trying to force you to do anything, we'll protect

slightly. "Coldclaw is nothing more than a band of rogues and criminals. I'll send my men to give them a formal warning. And

Normally, her husband, the Alpha of Silverbite would have been the one to handle such things. But from what I understood, he

face. But her eyes were mouth set in

her," my

know," I thought back. "Trust me, I feel

still hard, her

I want to throw a party for you. To welcome you back into the family properly and give you our family name." I felt my

I want to hear everything about your life. Tell me about