One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

Chapter 217

Edwin

I set down the last of Audrey’s bags by the front door, the faint floral scent of her perfume wafting up from the bundle of clothes inside. It was a familiar, comforting smell-one I had sorely missed having around the apartment these past couple of months, although I wouldn’t admit just how much the lack of it kept me awake at night.

Audrey sighed and plopped down on the sofa, tilting her head back against the cushions. “I think that was everything,” she said as she glanced at the clock on the mantle; well past midnight. Another late night, and it showed. She looked exhausted.

“Perhaps you should tell me now if you’re planning on another break,” I said, turning to face her with a smirk. I meant it as a joke, but Audrey’s face fell slightly, guilt flashing in her eyes.

Her silver streak almost seemed to dim a bit as she looked down at her feet. “Edwin, I-”

f

I held up a hand, chuckling to lighten the mood. “I’m just teasing you, love. I’m proud of you, you know. For taking that initiative in asking for a break when you needed it. It clearly paid off.”

And that was the truth, too; I had a lot of respect for what she’d done. It’s not easy, making decisions that might harm your relationship for the sake of yourself and your mate. I knew that firsthand. And now Audrey knew what it was like, too.

My mate’s tense shoulders visibly relaxed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Oh. You really mean that? You’re not just saying that?”

“Of course I mean it,” I said, sitting down next to her. “You passed your thesis with flying colors, and stopped Black from ruining it for you. And you seem… happier now that you took that time to yourself.”

Audrey nodded, looking relieved. “I am. And I think… I think we both learned a lot from it.”

I couldn’t argue with that. The past couple of months had indeed been difficult, filled with constant longing and worry, but they had also taught me some valuable lessons about respecting my mate’s autonomy.

I never wanted to make her feel like she wasn’t in control of her own life ever again. And I’d be damned if I let that happen again, especially if I was planning to marry-

“Edwin,” Audrey crooned, leaning against me, her eyelids already fluttering closed, “I’m so tired, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to make it to the bedroom…”

“Fear not.” I grinned and gathered her small form into my arms, rising and carrying her to bed.

Later that night, I sat in the armchair by the window with a glass of whiskey in hand as I watched Audrey sleep. The amber liquid caught the moonlight, creating dancing patterns on the wall-but it wasn’t nearly as spectacular as Audrey’s hair.

curtains. With her hair sprawled out across

Radiant. Serene. So… untroubled.

my body, fall asleep to the sensation of her warmth seeping into my skin. But tonight, I

feeling like a constant shadow, a dark stormcloud on

first, they had seemed like nothing more than a distant threat a band of rogues who made a grave mistake by sending a few scouts to terrorize my mate in the forest. But they had broken into Audrey’s dorm. They had snuck onto

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a message in

I had been content to strengthen security around Crescent’s borders and send a few threatening-looking wolves on patrol near the train

come for Audrey a second time. I wasn’t

vibration seemed too loud in the quiet room, so I slipped out quietly, not wanting to wake Audrey, before

said in a low voice as I moved to the living room.

tense. “You were right to be concerned, Alpha. I found rogue hair in Audrey’s

into a

been searching for her, just as you

an attempt to calm the rage that was building inside of me. The wolf in the back of my mind growled, furious at the threat to our mate. But now was not the time to go into

after a moment. “I want a constant guard rotation around Audrey at all times, and at least one

“Of course, Alpha.”

my voice hardening. I glanced back towards the bedroom, where Audrey continued to sleep peacefully,

end of the line, then Charles chuckled softly. The sound was unexpected. “Speaking of future Luna… have you shown Audrey the

cheeks, and suddenly felt grateful that Charles couldn’t see me. My eyes darted to the drawer where

“May I ask why?”

“I want her to graduate and get settled first. And… I don’t want her to feel like I’m only proposing to make

“Because of what you found out about the Silver

she’s unlikely to shift until we’ve had an official

make Audrey my Luna, to give

pressure her,” I said out loud. “I love her, Charles. I want to marry her because I love her, not because of what she is

you’re overthinking this. Audrey loves you too. She would understand your