The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 47

CHAPTER 47

FREYA’S POV

Sunlight warms my face. I burrow deeper into the pillow trying to hide from it. My body feels heavy. Exhausted, Like I ran a marathon in my sleep.

Then I remember. The basement. Vanessa bleeding. Adrian covered in blood.

The monster I chose anyway.

My eyes open. Adrian is already awake. Lying on his side facing me. Just watching. His eyes are blue again. 1

“How long have you been awake?” My voice is rough from sleep.

“A while. I did not want to wake you.” His hand reaches out. Brushes hair from my face. “You needed rest after last night.”

“We both needed rest.” I turn onto my side to face him properly. “Did you sleep at all?”

“A few hours. More than usual actually.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “Having you next to me helps.

The vulnerability in his voice makes my chest ache. He is still scared I will change my mind. Still waiting for me to realize what I signed up for and run.

“I meant what I said last night.” I catch his hand. Press my lips to his palm. ‘I am not going anywhere. I choose you. All of you.”

Something eases in his expression. “Even the parts that terrify you?”

“Especially those parts. Because those are the parts that keep me safe. That keep us safe.” I shift closer until we are almost touching. “I understand now. What it means to be your mate. What you have to do to protect what is yours.”

“Our mate bond is not complete yet. You could still walk away. Find a normal life. A normal man who does not have blood on his hands.”

“I do not want normal. I want you, Besides. After everything that has happened do you really think I could go ba to normal? Pretend werewolves do not exist? Pretend I am not one?”

His mouth curves slightly. Almost a smile. “No. I suppose not.”

“Then stop trying to give me outs. I am here. I am staying. Get used to it.”

He pulls me against him suddenly. Buries his face in my hair. His arms wrap around me tight enough that breathing is difficult. But I do not complain. Just hold him back

We lie there for a long moment. No words. Just breathing. Just being together.

Finally he pulls back. “We need to talk about what Vanessa said. About the meeting.”

Reality crashes back.

“Right. The meeting.” I sit up. The blankets pool around my waist. “Do you know who it could be? Who would

tant enough to change everything?”

“A few

even someo

ilities. Another Alpha looking to expand territory. A Council member from a different region. M. om the High Council.” He sits up too. Runs a hand through his messy hair. “Whoever it is the

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have power. Influence. Resources.”

“So what do we do? Go to the meeting? Try to stop it?”

“We?” His eyes narrow. “There is no we in this Freya. You stay here where it is safe. I handle the meeting.”

“No.” I cross my arins. “I am not staying behind while you walk into a trap. We are partners now. That means we face things together.”

“Partners does not mean you put yourself in unnecessary danger.”

“And it does not mean you get to make all the decisions about my safety without consulting me.” I lean forward. ” Adrian I am tired of being protected. Of being left behind. Of watching everyone else fight while I sit in your penthouse waiting.”

“You are not trained enough. Not strong enough yet to face what might be there.”

“Then train me better. We have all day today.” I grab his hand. “Please. I know you want to keep me safe. I know every instinct you have says to lock me away. But I am asking you to trust me. To let me stand with you instead of behind you.” 1

He stares at me for a long moment. I can see the war in his eyes. The Alpha wanting to protect. The mate wanting to keep me close. The man wanting to respect my choice.

“If you come you follow my orders. No arguments. No heroics.” His voice is hard. “The second I say run you run. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“And you wear protective gear. Stay close to Marcus at all times. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary.”

“Okay.”

He studies my face. Looking for doubt. For fear. For any sign I am not ready for this. “You are sure? Once we leave that building there is no going back. Things could get violent. Dangerous/Deadly.”

“I am sure.” And I am. Terrified but sure. “Wherever you go I go. That is what being your mate means right?”

Something fierce crosses his face. Pride maybe. “That is exactly what it means.”

He kisses met. Then pulls back. “Get dressed. We have a lot to do before tomorrow night.”

We get up and dressed. Head downstairs together. The smell of coffee hits me immediately. Marcus is already in the kitchen. Clara too. Both looking exhausted.

“Morning.” Marcus hands me coffee without asking. “Rough night?”

“You could say that.” I take the mug gratefully. “Thanks.”

“Adrian filled us in. About what Vanessa said. About the meeting.” Clara leans against the counter. “We have be going through contacts. Trying to figure out who Asher might be meeting with.”

“Any luck?” Adrian pours his own coffee.

who

“names. Nothing concrete yet.” Marcus pulls up his tablet. Shows us a list. “These are the major players * have reason to ally with Asher. Most are Alphas from neighboring territories. A few are Council

members

other regions.”

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I look at the names. They mean nothing to me. Just words on a screen. But the tension in Adrian’s shoulders tells me they mean something to him.

“Arry of these would be bad news.” He scrolls through slowly. “But some would be worse than others.”

“Who is the worst case scenario?” I ask.

“Elder Thorne. High Council member. Old guard. Traditionalist.” Adrian’s jaw clenches. “If Asher has him in his pocket then we are dealing with more than just one rogue Alphia. We are dealing with official Council support.

“Can he do that? Just decide to support Asher?”

“The High Council has authority over all packs in North America. If they decide I am unfit. That my protection of you violates pack law. They can order my removal. My exile. My execution if necessary.” Adrian sets down his coffee. “And there is nothing I could do to stop them.”

The words make my blood run cold. “So this meeting is not just about territory. It is about legitimacy. About making Asher’s move official.”

“Exactly.” Marcus closes the tablet. “Which is why we need to know who he is meeting. What they are planning. What deal is being made.”

“So we go to the meeting.” I say it like it is simple. “We listen. We learn. We stop it if we can.”

“And if we cannot stop it?” Clara asks quietly.

“Then we prepare for war.” Adrian’s voice is cold. Final. “Because that is what is coming. One way or another.”

The word hangs in the air. War. Real war. Not just threats. Not just politics. Actual fighting. Actual death.

I swallow hard. This is what I signed up for. This is the life I chose. Standing next to Adrian means standing in the line of fire.

“When do we leave?” I ask.

“Tomorrow at dusk. The meeting is set for midnight. We need to be in position before they arrive.” Adrian looks me. “Last chance to change your mind.”

“Not changing my mind.”

“Then we spend today preparing. Training. Making sure you can defend yourself if things go wrong.” He turns t Marcus. “Get the gear ready. Body armor. Weapons. Communication devices. Everything.”

“On it.” Marcus disappears down the hall.

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