Chapter 219

Audrey

My heart was pounding in my chest as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my graduation cap for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. I groaned

miserably, quickly becoming frustrated with the damn thing; the tassel kept swinging into my face, no matter how I positioned it.

“Damn tassel… Stay where I put you!”

Suddenly, a familiar form walked into view behind me. I didn’t even need to look to know that my mate had walked into the room-I had been picking up his scent lingering in the hallway, clearly trying to decide whether he should come in and help or let me stew on my own, for the last ten minutes already.

Before I could protest, warm hands were grabbing my cap and turning it, then pinning it back into my hair with practiced precision.

$

“There,” Edwin said softly when he was finished, his gray eyes meeting mine in the mirror. “You had it on backwards. Is that better?”

Nodding, I turned to face him, my stomach roiling with butterflies and pre-graduation nausea. “Are you sure I look alright?” I asked, reaching up to adjust my cap again. “I feel like I look ridiculous in this giant gown.”

Edwin’s lips curled into a tiny smile, and he caught my hand before I could touch the cap again. “You look beautiful, Audrey. Especially with your silver streak on display.” His fingers brushed against the distinctive strip of hair, pinching the strands between his thumb and forefinger.

Without giving me a chance to respond, he leaned in and kissed me deeply. When we parted, I was slightly breathless and a little flushed.

Right now, part of me wanted to just take my mate’s hand and run off into the sunset, skipping my graduation ceremony. I knew if I asked, he would do it. But Lalso knew I would regret it if I didn’t walk the stage with my friends-especially after all I had done to get here.

“You’re going to do great today,” Edwin,

*

me, sensing my anxiety through the

bond. “It’ll be over before you know it and you’ll wish it had been longer.”

it was no use. “I know, I just… I can’t help but

Chapter 219

sad,” Edwin said gently. “But just think of it this way: one door is closing, and another is opening. Besides…” He flashed

I was instantly reminded of the ring that he kept in his nightstand; well, it wasn’t there anymore.

in his pocket

outline of a box in

nothing in his pocket

velvet box that I

just have to wait and see,”

packed when we arrived, a sea of black gowns and excited faces. spotted Tina,

“I

where we part ways,” I said to Edwin, suddenly reluctant to leave his side! He squeezed my hand reassuringly. “I’ll see

I joined my classmates, finding my place in the alphabetical lineup. As we filed into the bleachers, the sound of

seats, and I scanned the crowd, quickly spotting Edwin and Avis. They beamed at me, and I

expected her to be-she was still in

the crowd, my mind flitting around like an errant hummingbird. I kept thinking

closes, and another opens, Edwin had said. I hoped that what lay on the other side of that door was nothing but

Chapter 219

V╚༥. 69%_

the valedictorian speech. Betty stepped up to the podium, looking radiant despite the unflattering gown. She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the crowd before landing on our

today at a crossroads. Behind us lies the path we have traveled-four years of late nights, early mornings, triumphs, and failures. Ahead of us stretches the unknown, a future

prick at my eyes as

you today, I am filled with hope. Because I know that each and every one of us has the power to shape

“We have all faced our own struggles to get here,” she said, her voice lowering slightly. “Some of us

coming out to her parents, Avis

we leave Grayspring today,”

compassion, and tharry with us

determination that have brought

we have learned here to make the

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