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."

up at that, her eyes wide with surprise. Claudia turned to her, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's not

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

Claudia said, her voice brm "But please, Edwin, have mercy. Let me handle

a range of emotions-anger, frustration, and finally, resignation. Setting down my untouched tea, I stood up and walked over to him, placing my hand on his arm. I felt

you think?" he

just a child when this all started. She was manipulated and brainwashed. That doesn't excuse what she did, but... maybe she

looked at Fiona, who simply stared at me in

looked at me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I trust your

08:36 Sat, Sep 21

Chapter 165 98%E

saying I agree with it, but I'll offer mercy just this once. But," he added, his gaze hardening 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

shoulders sagging with relief. "Thank you, Edwin.

us was palpable. We had become unwilling sisters, bound by a shared mother and

take a lot more getting used to than

will be okay," Claudia said, hugging Fiona again. "If Coldclaw is threatening you or trying to force you to

rogues and criminals. I'll send my men to give them a formal warning. And since you're the

things. But from what I understood, he had passed many years ago-not long after I had been born.

crossing her face. But her eyes were mouth set in a

her," my wolf growled. "She's

back. "Trust me, I feel it

still hard, her

thoughts. "Audrey, darling, I want to throw a party for you. To welcome you back into

Claudia said, waving away my protest. "It's long overdue. But before that, I want to hear everything about your