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.

hair sprawled out across the pillow and her milky white breasts gently rising and

Radiant. Serene. So… untroubled.

her and tuck her sleeping form close against my body, fall asleep to the sensation of her warmth seeping into my skin.

constant

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

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Chapter 217

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message

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

warning, and they had come

loud in the quiet room, so I slipped out quietly,

I moved to the

sounded tense. “You were right to be concerned, Alpha. I found rogue

free hand clenching into a fist

Charles confirmed. “They must have been searching for her, just as you said, and left that note when

wolf in the back of my mind growled, furious at the threat to our mate. But now was not the time to go into a rage; now, I needed to

want a constant guard rotation around Audrey at all times, and at

“Of course, Alpha.”

back towards the bedroom, where Audrey continued to

line, then Charles chuckled softly. The sound

felt grateful that Charles couldn’t see me. My eyes darted to the drawer where the ring was hidden-so close to where Audrey slept. “Not yet,”

“May I ask why?”

through my hair. “I want her to graduate and get settled first.

you found out about

couldn’t see me. “Yes. The research suggests she’s unlikely to shift until we’ve had an official mating ceremony. The marking bite could trigger her first

I wanted nothing more than to make Audrey my Luna, to give her that missing piece that might help her

“I love her, Charles. I want to marry her because I love her,

Charles replied, his voice softening. “But perhaps you’re overthinking this. Audrey loves you too. She would