One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 202 Audrey & Edwin Audrey

The cafeteria buzzed with the familiar sounds of lunchtime as I made my way through the line, tray in hand. Students passed by, groups of friends laughing and chatting, the scent of food wafting through the

air.

A

It felt surreal to be back on campus after everything that had happened-like stepping back into a world of normalcy that I had almost forgotten amongst the chaos. I didn't even feel like I was really here, even now, but rather watching everyone else go about their lives through a pane of glass.

"Well, if it isn't the elusive Audrey Klein," Tina said, lifting her head as I approached our usual table by the sunlit window. "We've been so worried about you. How are you doing?"

I forced a smile, setting my tray down and sliding onto the bench next to Avis and Gavin. "I'm okay," I said, although the words felt hollow even to my own ears.

Betty's dark eyes searched my face. "We heard about your mom. Is she...?"

I swallowed hard in an attempt to push the lump in my throat down. "She's still in a coma," I admitted shakily. "But the doctors say she's stable now."

Tina reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "We're here for you, Audrey. Whatever you need."

Avis nodded in agreement, her blonde curls bobbing. "Absolutely. You don't have to go through this alone."

Their concern was touching, and I felt a breath escape that I didn't realize I'd been holding. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it." "How's Edwin holding up?" Gavin asked innocently as he took a bite of his pizza. My chest tightened in response to that. It was still fresh, still... painful. Just last night, we had had a conversation that I never wanted to have. It felt like a dream, but it was real, and I had made my decision. "Edwin and I... we're taking a break."

The silence that followed was deafening. I could practically hear the gears turning in their heads as they processed what I had just said.

"A break?" Betty finally sputtered. "But you're mates! How is that even possible?"

I sighed, pushing my food around on my plate. My appetite was suddenly gone. "It's not a permanent thing," I explained. "We just... I just need some space right now."

"Space?" Avis asked.

to our conversation the night before, the pain in Edwin's eyes as I told him that I needed more time. It had been one of the hardest things I had ever done, but

to explain. "Edwin's protective instincts went into overdrive.

"What

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the point is, I realized that we're sort of bringing

eyebrows shot up. "Fighting?" she

+5

shook my head again. “No, it's just... Since I can't shift yet, he's stressed and overprotective. He's just trying to take care of me, but it's suffocating. And I really need to focus on school,

making air quotes with

my dorm for the rest of the semester. We're still mates, and nothing can change that. But we're not going to spend time alone together until I'm ready. I need to focus on school and on myself

friends exchanged glances, clearly trying to process

this is what you want?" Betty asked

mate could weaken your wolf," Avis

But this is what I

I stared down at my uneaten pasta, fighting back the tears that were threatening to come. It was true; being away from him would

knew it was the right thing to

table with a sigh, feeling the weight of the little box containing the ring shifting back as I closed it. The velvet box seemed to mock me, a reminder of what could have been- what should have been-

blo**y fool," my wolf snarled inside of me. "You were too overbearing, and now

wolf were nothing compared to the ache in my chest where Audrey should have been. The apartment felt empty and quiet without her presence, her scent already

sitting on the counter and swinging her legs and

hand through my hair. "I know I screwed

my mind. "You have to fix it," he demanded.

I had sent Audrey away to the cottage, he had been utterly furious; and now the thought of being away from her for the remainder of the semester was enough to make him