The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

CLARA’S POV

My apartment feels too small with Freya in it.

She sits on my couch staring at nothing. Still wearing the same clothes from the restaurant. Still looking like she might bolt at any second.

“Are you hungry?” I move to the kitchen. “I have leftovers. Or I can order something.”

“I am fine.”

“You need to eat. When was the last time you had a real meal?”

She does not answer. Just keeps staring.

“I will order pizza”

lorder pizza anyway. She will eat when it gets here. She always does.

“There are towels in the bathroom. Clean clothes in my room. Help yourself to whatever you need.” I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. Hand it to her. “Seriously Freya. Make yourself at home.”

“This is not my home.” But she takes the water. Drinks half of it. “Nothing is my home anymore.”

The defeat in her voice hurts. I sit in the chair across from her. “It will get better. I know it does not feel like it right now but”

“How would you know? Have you ever had your entire life explode? Had everything you thought you knew turn out to be a lie?” She sets the water down hard. “Have you ever watched someone you trusted turn into a monster right in front of you?”

“Adrian is not a monster.”

“You did not see him. Did not see his eyes. The way he grabbed Kelvin. The blood.” She wraps her arms around herself. “He would have killed him Clara. Right there. In front of everyone. And he would not have cared.”

“He cared. That is why he was so angry. Because Kelvin was touching you. Have you forgotten what Kelvin did to you, have you forgotten all of a sudden who kelvin is?, Because you chose to be with the enemy.” I lean forward. “Adrian is an Alpha. Protecting his mate is instinct. He cannot help it.”

“I am not his mate. I do not want to be his mate. I want nothing to do with any of this.” Her voice cracks.” I just want my normal life back. Is that too much to ask?”

Yes. It is too much. Because normal is gone. Has been gone since the moment her wolf was bound. Since the moment fate decided she belonged to Adrian.

But I do not say that. Just nod. “I know. I am sorry this is happening to you.”

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CHAPTER 30

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“Are you? Or are you just sorry you got caught lying to me for two years?”

The accusation stings. Because there is truth in it. I did lie. Did betray her trust. Did choose my Alpha over my friend.

And I am about to do it again.

“Both. I am sorry for both.” I stand. “Go take a shower. The pizza will be here soon. You will feel better after you eat and rest.”

I

She does not argue. Just gets up and disappears into the bathroom. I hear the water start. Hear her finally alone with her thoughts.

My phone sits on the kitchen counter. Adrian’s name stares up at me. No messages. No calls. He is giving me space. Trusting me to handle this.

Trusting me to bring her back.

I should text him now. Tell him she is here. Safe. Let him come get her before she runs again.

But I promised her. Promised I would not tell him. Promised she could have one night.

One night of feeling safe. Of not being hunted. Of not having to face Adrian and everything that comes

with him.

One night is not too much to ask. Is it?

The shower turns off. Freya appears wearing my sweatpants and tshirt. Her hair is wet. Face scrubbed clean. She looks younger like this. More vulnerable.

The pizza arrives. We eat in silence. She devours three slices before slowing down. I was right. She

needed food.

“Thank you.” She says it quietly. “For this. For not calling him. For just letting me breathe.”

The guilt twists harder. Because I know what I am going to do. Know the betrayal that is coming.

“You are my friend. I want to help you.” It is true. Even with the lies. Even with the deception. It is true.

“I do not know if we can be friends. Not after everything.” She sets down her pizza. “Not after you lied to me for so long.”

“I know. And I understand if you never forgive me. But I am still going to be here. Still going to protect you. Whether you want me to or not.” I meet her eyes. “That is what friends do.”

She looks away. “I am tired. Can I just sleep? Figure everything out tomorrow?”

“Of course. You can take my bed. I will take the couch.”

“No. The couch is fine. I do not want to put you out more than I already have.”

I do not argue. Just get her blankets and a pillow. Watch her curl up on my couch. Small. Broken. Lost.

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CWACAK 30

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“Clara?” Her voice is soft. Sleepy. “Do you think I am making a mistake? Running from him?”

The question is loaded. Dangerous. Whatever I say will matter.

“I think you are scared. And I think running from fear is natural. But I also think Adrian loves you. Really loves you. Not just the mate bond. You.” I sit on the edge of the coffee table. “And I think you love him too. Even if you are not ready to admit it.”

“I do not love him. I barely know him.”

“You know him better than you think. You have seen him at his worst. Seen the monster. And you are still here. Still alive. Still in one piece.” I stand. “That should tell you something.”

She does not respond. Just closes her eyes. Within minutes her breathing evens out. Sleep taking her away from everything.

I watch her for a moment. My friend. My assignment. My impossible choice.

Then I pick up my phone. Stare at Adrian’s number. My thumb hovers over it.

One night. I promised her one night.

But Adrian is my Alpha. And an Alpha losing his mate is dangerous. For everyone. The longer I wait the

worse it gets.

The pack comes first. Always.

I open the text. Type fast before I can change my mind.

She is at my apartment. Safe. Asleep. Come get her but please be gentle. She is fragile right now.

Send.

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The guilt crashes over me immediately. I just broke my promise. Just betrayed her trust. Again.

But I did the right thing. For the pack. For Adrian. For Freya even if she does not see it that way.

The response comes within seconds.

On my way. Thank you Clara. I owe you.

I set the phone down. Look at Freya sleeping peacefully. Not knowing that in twenty minutes her temporary safety ends. That Adrian is coming. That I am the one who told him.

She is going to hate me. More than she already does. This will destroy whatever small piece of friendship we have left.

But she will be safe. She will be with her mate, she will be protected.

That has to be enough. It has to matter more than her anger. More than my guilt.

It has to.

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