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.

thought back 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 I knew it

recently..." I trailed off, unsure of how to even begin, to explain. "Edwin's protective instincts went into overdrive. He...

frowned. "What

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head. "It's complicated. But the point is, I realized that

shot up. "Fighting?" she

+5

and overprotective. He's just trying to take care of

'break' mean, exactly?" Tina asked, making air quotes with her fingers. "Are you two broken up,

the rest of the semester. We're still mates, and nothing can change that. But we're not going to spend time alone together

clearly trying to process

what

mate could weaken your wolf," Avis

this is what I need right now,"

was true; being away from him would weaken my wolf, set

Audrey, I knew it

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-

my wolf snarled inside of me. "You

with him. The fury and disappointment radiating from my 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

her legs and chattering away while I was cooking for

out loud, running a hand through

in agreement, pacing restlessly in my mind. "You have to fix it," he demanded. "I need

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