The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Five Years Later

FREYA’S POV

“Mama! Kai took my toy!”

I look up from the lesson plans I’m reviewing tu see Aurora standing in the doorway, hands on hips, indignation radiating from every inch of her five–year–old frame. Behind her, I can hear her younger brother’s laughter echoing from the playroom.

“Did he ask first?” I inquire.

“No! He just grabbed it!”

“Then go tell him he needs to ask permission before taking your things. Use your words, not your claws.”

Aurora huffs but heads back down the hall, her voice rising in bossy instruction. “Kai! Mama says you have to ASK

I smile, returning to my work. Aurora has her father’s sense of justice and my stubborn streak, a combination that makes her formidable even at five. Kai, our three–year–old son, is quieter but mischievous, always finding creative ways to push boundaries.

And then there’s Ember, our youngest at eighteen months, currently napping upstairs but likely to wake soon demanding attention and snacks.

Three children in five years. We didn’t plan it quite this way, but I wouldn’t change it.

Adrian appears in the doorway, Ember cradled against his shoulder. “Someone woke up early.”

“Of course she did.” I stand, crossing to take our daughter. She’s the smallest of our three, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in personality. “Hi, baby girl. Did you have a good nap?”

Ember babbles something incomprehensible and reaches for my hair, her favorite thing to grab.

“The education council meeting starts in an hour,” Adrian reminds me, “Clara’s coming to watch the kids.”

Right. The quarterly education council meeting, where we discuss curriculum for pack youth and integration strategies for new arrivals. I’ve been co–chairing it for three years now, working to ensure every young wolf has access to quality education that includes both traditional knowledge and new perspectives on pack dynamics

It’s work I love, work that matters. Teaching the next generation that equality isn’t a threat, it’s an opportunity

Clara arrives precisely on time, as always. She’s served as head of pack administration for four years now, somehow managing to balance running operations with being the world’s best aunt to our children.

“Aunt Clara!” Aurora launches herself at Clara, who catches her with practiced ease.

“Hey, troublemaker. What chaos are we causing today?”

“Kai took my toy without asking, but I told him he has to ask permission because that’s the rules and Mama said—

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“Breathe,” Clara instructs, laughing. “Tell me everything while your parents escape.”

The education council meeting is productive. We approve new curriculum about the history of equal bonding,

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Chapter 13

discuss strategies for supporting families fleeing restrictive packs, and review applications from wolves who want to become educators.

The pack has grown enormously in five years. What started as a few hundred has swelled to over two thousand making us one of the largest packs in North America. We’ve had to expand territory twice, build entire new residential sections, develop infrastructure to support the population.

It’s been chaotic and challenging and absolutely worth it.

Because wolves keep coming. Drawn by stories of equality, freedom, choice. They arrive scared and hopeful, seeking space to exist without judgment. And we give them that space, every time.

After the meeting, Adrian and I walk the territory together, something we try to do weekly when schedules allow It’s changed so much from those early days. New buildings dot the landscape, playgrounds host dozens of children, the training facilities run programs from dawn until dark

“Remember when it was just us and a handful of wolves?” I ask, taking Adrian’s hand.

“Seems like a lifetime ago.” He squeezes my fingers. “We’ve built something incredible, Freya.”

“We have, haven’t we?”

We pause at the memorial garden, established three years ago to honor those who died in the war. Marcus’s name is carved prominently, along with the thirty–seven others who gave everything so we could have this.

Aurora asks about Marcus sometimes. Wants to know about her namesake, because her middle name is Marcus in his honor. We tell her stories, paint him as the hero he was, make sure she understands that her freedom cost sacrifice.

“I miss him,” Adrian says quietly.

“Me too. But look what we did with what he gave us.” I gesture at the territory spread before us. “This is his legacy as much as ours.”

We’re interrupted by our phones buzzing simultaneously. A message from the High Council.

“Continental gathering next month,” Adrian reads. “They want us to keynote again.”

“How many times is this now?”

“Fourth annual. Apparently we’re becoming a tradition.” He looks at me, raising an eyebrow. “Are you up for it?” “Always. Someone has to keep reminding them that equality works.”

The gatherings have become annual events, opportunities for Alphas across the continent to connect, share strategies, address challenges. We attend every year, bringing our family, demonstrating that leading as equals doesn’t mean sacrificing parenthood or pack duties.

Other equal–bonded pairs have emerged since the law changed. Not many yet, tradition dies hard, but enough that we’re not alone anymore. Enough that Aurora has friends whose parents mirror ours, whose families reflect the

same values.

That night, after the children are asleep, Adrian and I collapse onto our couch.

“Rough day?” he asks, pulling me against his side.

“Good day. Just long.” I settle into his embrace, feeling the bond hum contentedly between us. Five years married, three children, countless challenges faced and overcome. The bond is deeper now, richer, layered with shared

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history and mutual respect.

We’ve grown together rather than apart, strengthened by adversity rather than weakened

“Kai asked me today why some of his friends only have one Alpha parent,” Adrian says.

“What did you tell him?”

“That every family is different. Some have twu Alphas, some have one. Some have no Alphas What hatters in t everyone is loved and respected.” He pauses. “Then he asked if he’ll be an Alpha.

“Will he?”

“Too early to tell. Could be Alpha, could be Beta, could be Omega. Won’t know until he’s older. “He shifts to see my face. “Does it matter to you?”

“No. As long as he’s happy and healthy and free to be whoever he is, I don’t care what rank he holds.” I mean it absolutely. “None of our children have to be Alphas. They don’t have to lead the pack. They just have to live authentically.”

“Agreed. Though I have a feeling Aurora won’t give us much choice. She’s already bossing around kids twice her age.”

I laugh. “She gets that from you.

“She absolutely does not. That’s pure Reed stubbornness.”

We banter back and forth, comfortable in our marriage, secure in our partnership. This is what we fought for. Not just the right to be together, but the right to build a life together. To raise children together. To lead together.

To be equals in everything.

Later, lying in bed, Adrian’s hand finds my stomach.

“What are you thinking?” I ask.

“That I want more of this. More years. More children, maybe. More building. More us.” He meets my eyes in the darkness. “I want forever with you, Freya. However many forevers we get.”

“You have forever. You’ve always had forever.” I cover his hand with mine. “I’m yours. You’re mine. That doesn’t change.”

“Even when I’m old and gray and can’t shift anymore?”

“Especially then. I’ll love you gray and slow and grumpy.”

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“Who says I’ll be grumpy?”

“You’re already grumpy before coffee. Old age will only intensify it.”

He laughs, the sound warm and genuine. “Fair point.”

Through the bond, love flows constant and sure. We’ve been through war and peace, triumph and tragedy, everything that tests a relationship. And we’ve survived it all. Stronger. Together.

That’s what makes us unbreakable. Not that we never struggle, but that we face every struggle united. Not that we’re perfect, but that we’re perfect for each other.

Equal mates.

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True partners.

Forever.

The future stretches before us, full of possibility. Our children will grow, the pack will evolve challenges will emerge that we can’t yet anticipate. But we’ll face them the same way we’ve faced everything

Together.

As equals.

As mates who chose each other freely and love each other fiercely.

As proof that the old ways weren’t the only ways, and that sometimes breaking tradition creates something more beautiful than preserving it ever could.

We changed the world. Not perfectly, not completely, but undeniably.

And the world is better for it.

Our children will grow up free.

Other wolves will follow the path we carved.

The future will be kinder, more accepting, more equal.

Because we fought for it.

Because we refused to accept that love had to look one particular way.

Because we stood together when standing alone would have been easier.

And we’ll keep standing together.

For as long as forever lasts.

Which, if I have anything to say about it, will be a very long time indeed.

I love you, I send through the bond.

I love you too, Adrian returns. Always. Forever. No matter what.

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