One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 172 Audrey

Edwin led me back to the house and instructed me to change into something appropriate for exercise. I threw on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt and a pair of sneakers.

Then, hand in hand, Edwin led me down a narrow staircase to the basement of his estate. His shoulders were tense, his jaw clenched as he fumbled with a set of keys in front of an unmarked door. "What's this?" I asked, shivering and wrapping my arms around myself in the cool air of the basement. A home gym, I figured. But the taut line of his jaw made me wonder if that was all it was. Edwin didn't respond right away. The lock clicked, and he pushed open the door, turning on a fluorescent light that flickered harshly as it came to life.

"This is my old training room," he said, stepping aside and gesturing for me to enter.

My mouth hung open as I stepped past him. Whereas the rest of the mansion had been neat and tidy thanks to Hadley's hard work, the room that Edwin revealed to me was large and dusty. It had clearly gone unused for years.

Equipment was **ed around the rubber-matted floors-weights, punching bags, a small sparring ring, mats stacked high in one corner, and a couple of treadmills. One wall was purely mirrors, smudged and dusty with time. Baskets of equipment sat piled in the corners, everything from jump ropes to ankle weights.

I looked like he had poured a good amount of money into this room, but it had gone sorely neglected as of late. Even the air was stale, and I could smell the faint scent of old sweat and leather.

I walked around, running my fingers along the various pieces of equipment. A thin layer of dust came away on my fingertips, and I grimaced, wiping my hand on my leggings.

Finally, I came to a stop in front of a particularly beat-up punching bag. The leather was cracked and dented from years of hard use, and a pair of worn old boxing gloves sat discarded on the floor beside it. Frowning, I bent and picked up the gloves. They obviously hadn't been used in a very long time, but they still smelled like Edwin. I'd recognize the sweet scent of his sweat anywhere.

"You once told me you used to fight," 1 murmured, turning to face Edwin, who was leaning against the door frame with his arms folded across his chest. "Why did you stop?" Edwin's expression tightened as he saw the gloves in my hands, and he looked away. "It's... complicated"

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant, but I decided not to press in the end. Whatever the reason, it was clearly a painful memory for him-just like the belt from that memory I'd stolen from Peter. Instead, I focused on exploring the room, taking in the details of this hidden part of Edwin's life.

the room, where the little sparring ring was positioned. "I'll

defensive moves. He showed me how to block a punch, demonstrating

he said, adjusting my stance. "Keep your

had to suppress a shiver at his closeness.

end of the session, I was sweaty and sore from using muscles that I'd never used before, but feeling a touch more confident after that incident in the

asked, "Why is it so

before answering. "It's not that simple. Most werewolves' wolves emerge in childhood, but they can't shift until puberty. Since yours emerged late, it might take more time and effort.

not.

frustrated. "But I want to shift now. I need to be able to protect

shoulder. "We'll start trying as soon as we can, but the effort will be wasted if your

would teach me more defensive moves. I picked them up quickly, my body seeming to remember the motions even when my mind struggled. It

defending and never attacking. On the fourth morning, as Edwin demonstrated yet another block that we'd already gone over a thousand

wiping sweat from my

you that you're not ready for that yet. Defense

defense isn't enough?" I interrupted, my frustration showing in my voice. "What if I need to fight off multiple attackers, like in the woods the other

Edwin said patiently.

of pain crossing his face. "I'll always come to your rescue. I won't let you go so far again. So there won't be a 'next time "You can't promise that," I said softly, stepping closer to him. "And I can't stay tethered to your side forever. Please, Edwin. Just teach me a few basic punches. I can handle

helpless 1 had felt. I thought of Linda and Max and