The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 72

ADRIAN’S POV

I haven’t slept in three days.

Every time I close my eyes I see her. Begging me to mark her. Crying because I won’t. Looking at me like I’m breaking her heart when all I’m trying to do is protect her.

It’s torture.

Worse than the silver chains. Worse than Asher’s compound. Worse than anything I’ve ever endured.

Because the solution is right there. So simple. So easy. Just one bite. One mark. One claiming and everything gets better.

But I can’t. Won’t. Not while she’s like this.

“You’re being stupid.” Kael’s voice in my head. He’s been arguing with me constantly. “Our mate is suffering. We can end it. Why won’t you let me?”

“Because it’s wrong. She’s not in her right mind.”

“She’s conscious. Aware. Begging for it. How much more consent do you need?”

“Consent given under duress isn’t real consent.” I’ve had this argument with him a hundred times. “She’s dying Kael. She’s desperate. She’d agree to anything if she thought it would save her.”

“And you’d rather let her die than mark her? Rather lose her forever than take what she’s offering?”

“Yes.” Even thinking it hurts. “If those are my only options then yes. I’d rather lose her than become the kind of man who forces a mating bond on someone who’s vulnerable.”

Kael goes silent. Disapproves. But doesn’t argue further.

I’m in my office. Pretending to work. Actually just staring at reports I’m not reading. Marcus came by earlier. Took one look at me and left without saying anything. Even he knows there’s nothing to say.

A knock on the door. “Come in.”

Clara enters. She doesn’t look much better than I feel. Dark circles. Exhausted. She’s been helping Dr. Chen monitor Freva. Making sure she eats. Stays hydrated. Doesn’t hurt herself when the partial shifts happen.

“She’s asking for you.” Clara sits down uninvited. “Again. She won’t eat. Won’t rest. Just keeps asking when you’re coming back.

“I was just there two hours ago.”

“And she needs you there now. Adrian.” Clara leans forward. “I know you think you’re doing the right thing. Protecting her But you’re killing her. She needs you. Needs the bond completed. Needs to know you’re not abandoning her.”

“I’m not abandoning her.”

“That’s what it feels like to her. You’re staying away. Refusing to mark her. Treating her like she’s made of glass.” Clara’s voice gets harder. “She’s not glass. She’s a wolf. Your mate. And she’s strong enough to make her own choices even if you disagree with them.”

“She’s not stable enough—”

“Bullshit. Her wolf has been calm for two days. Dr. Chen says she’s improving. The only thing keeping her from full recovery is you. Your refusal to complete the bond. Your stubborn insistence on doing this your way.”

“My way keeps her safe.”

“your way is killing her!” Clara slams her hand on the desk. “And if’s killing you too. You look like death. You’re not sleeping Barely eating Driving yourself insane trying to resist what you both want. What you both need.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. But I can’t. Can’t cross that line. Can’t be the Alpha who forces a mating bond on someone who’s not in complete control.

Even if she’s begging for it. Even if it would save her. Even if every instinct I have is screaming at me to just do it already.

“What if she regrets it?” The words come out quiet. Broken. “What if I mark her and she stabilizes and she realizes she only said yes because she was dying? What if she hates me for it?”

“Then you deal with it together. As mates. As partners. As people who love each other.” Clara stands. “But at least she’ll be alive to hate you. At least you’ll both have a chance. Right now? You’re gambling with her life because your’re scared of making the wrong choice.”

She leaves. Closes the door firmly behind her.

I sit there. Alone. With Kael snarling in my head. With my own thoughts tearing me apart. With the knowledge that Clara is probably right and I’m probably wrong but I still can’t make myself change course.

My phone buzzes. Text from Dr. Chen.

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