One Night With My Alpha Professor by Eve Above Story

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.

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“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.”

just… I can’t help but be nervous,” I admitted. “I mean… This is it. No more

Chapter 219

and endings are often sad,” Edwin said gently. “But just think of it this way: one door is closing, and another is opening. Besides…” He flashed me one of those signature smirks that had become all

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

in his

the outline of a box in his pocket with my

There was nothing in his pocket except for

definitely not a little velvet box that I felt pressing against

เ

wait and see,” he said, turning me toward the

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

“I

to Edwin, suddenly reluctant

in the alphabetical lineup. As we filed into the bleachers, the sound of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ played by

at me, and I felt a sense of relief upon seeing their faces-but also a hint

Not that I expected her to

ceremony began with speeches from various faculty members, but I found it hard to focus. My eyes kept wandering the crowd, my

said. I hoped that what lay on the other side of that door was nothing but peace and happiness. Not just for me, but for all of

Chapter 219

V╚༥. 69%_

despite the unflattering gown. She took a deep breath,

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 full of possibilities and challenges we cannot yet

tears prick at my eyes as Betty

Because I know that each and every one of us

and I saw her gaze soften. “We have all faced our own struggles to get here,” she said, her voice lowering slightly. “Some of us have battled self-doubt, others have overcome personal tragedies. But

everything we had been through-my struggles with my identity, Tina coming out to her parents, Avis dropping out of school, and

we leave Grayspring today,”

the resilience, the compassion, and tharry with us not

determination that have brought

to make the world a