One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 180 Audrey

I felt a shiver run through me as those cold gray eyes assessed me. Appraised me. Flicked up and down me like I was a prize

mare

Not even so much as a "hello"

Before I could respond to his less-than-welcoming greeting, a blur of motion caught my eye.

"Eddie!" Eliza squeaked again, bounding around the bar and throwing her arms around Edwin's neck. "Give your big sister a hug!"

She smelled faintly of gin and flowers as she pulled away from Edwin and turned to me with a bright smile. Indeed, this was the same woman from the picture in Edwin's apartment, only a little older now, "And you must be Audrey! Welcome to the family!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I gladly returned the hug. "It's nice to finally meet you, Eliza," I said, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. "Edwin has told me a lot about you"

"Oh, I'm sure you have. Eddie and I were thick as thieves growing up..."

As Eliza chattered animatedly, neatly curled blonde hair bobbing as she moved, my gaze drifted back to the two men lounging on the plush sofa. The brown-haired one, seemingly lost in thought, still picked at that loose thread on the arm of the chair.

“That's Malakai.” Edwin said through our Mindlink, his fingers tightening around my lower back. "He's a morose jack**. Don't even bother trying to engage him in conversation."

suppressed a frown. I recalled Peter mentioning that Malakai had a mate, but she didn't appear to be here. Despite his apparent disinterest. I noticed his eyes flicking toward Edwin and me, a hint of something- jealousy, maybe?-in his gaze.

The other man, closer to my age, was eyeing me with undisguised curiosity. His sharp chin and blue eyes marked him with a strong resemblance to their mother.

"Axel," Edwin explained. "When we sit down for dinner, I'd bet my last dollar that he has some grandiose story that never actually happened."

Axel, unlike Malakai, rose from the sofa and crossed over to me. He shook my hand, his grip firm. His gaze lingered on the silver streak in my hair. "Hm. Interesting." he said, gesturing towards it. "Born with that?"

I nodded, touching the strand self-consciously. "Yes, I was."

He raised an eyebrow but said nothing more, taking another sip of his martini and turning away as if I'd just exhausted the extent of his interest.

From her seat by the window, Stella inclined her head in our direction. "A pleasure to meet my son's mate," she said, her voice cool and detached. She made no move to stand or approach us "Mom, Audrey brought fruitcake, Peter said, still holding the box. "It looks delicious."

"Hm. Get a plate for it," was all she said. I tried to hide my disappointment that she didn't so much as c**k a smile.

his eyes raking over me with the same intensity

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Chapter 180

regal," he said, towering over

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low in his throat, his arm tightening around my waist. His father didn't so much as flinch, and it was all

could escalate, Eliza swooped

said brightly, tugging me toward the bar "Let me fix

your poison?"

I allowed Eliza to lead me

heart!" She busied herself behind the bar, chattering away. "So, tell me everything

personality-so much unlike Edwin's usual stoic demeanor. Although I supposed the c**ks in that facade of his had been growing wider

sidled up to the bar. His lazy smile seemed more strained now, more practiced. He slid

"I need a shot.

see him throw back the shot of whiskey Eliza provided, hanging his head slightly as it washed down his throat. I glanced over my shoulder at Edwin, who was stuck in the middle of what looked to be a heated, but hushed, conversation with

me looking. "And one for her,

at me, then over my shoulder. She poured two more shots, paused to consider, then

third for herself.

drank, I noticed Malakai and Axel keeping their distance, occasionally whispering to each other and casting suspicious glances our way. I wanted to ask what their deal was, but Peter and Eliza had slipped into a conversation about something unrelated and Edwin was still talking to his father, so I hopped

beauty was even more apparent, but there was a hardness

she said

you," I replied, smoothing my hands over the

eyebrows shot up, and she let out a derisive laugh. "Oh? I thought he'd given up that little hobby long

I wanted to say. He owns one of the most successful fashion houses in the

I felt a gentle touch through our mate bond, like silk-pressing against the backs of my eyes. Edwin's calming presence washed over me, and I took a deep breath, swallowing my

"I hope

noncommittally and turned

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