The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 76

CHAPTER 76

ADRIAN’S POV

The pack and environment was just so quiet, no one speaks about the execution directly But it hangs over everything. Every conversation. Every interaction. The reminder that pack law is absolute. That betrayal has consequences. That even sympathy and understanding don’t override justice.

I handle Alpha business on autopilot, I met with scouts about the rescue mission for Emma. Reviewing security protocols. Approving new guard rotations. All the mundane details of keeping a pack running.

But inside I’m hollow. Empty. Still feeling Lyra’s life end under my claws. Still seeing her young face. Still hearing her ask me to save her sister.

Freya stays close. Not hovering. Not suffocating. Just present. A constant reminder that I’m not alone in this. That someone sees the burden and doesn’t look away.

By evening the pack starts to relax. Life goes on. Death is part of our world. Execution for betrayal is rare but not unheard of. They process and move forward because they have to.

I can’t move forward. Can only replay it. Over and over. Wondering if there was another way. Knowing there wasn’t. Hating myself anyway.

“The rescue team is ready.” Marcus finds me in my office. “We move out at midnight. In and out before Asher knows we’re there. Emma will be safe by dawn.”

“Good. Keep me updated.” I don’t look up from the reports I’m not reading.

“Adrian.” He sits down uninvited. “You did the right thing. You know that right?”

“Did I? Because it doesn’t feel right. Feels like I murdered a kid who was trying to save her sister.”

“You executed a traitor who got pack members killed. Her motivation doesn’t change her actions. Doesn’t change the consequences.” He leans forward. “I know it’s hard. I know you hate it. But if you had shown mercy? Made an exception? The pack would have questioned your authority. Questioned whether betrayal really has consequences. It would have weakened us.

“I know the logic. Know the reasoning. Doesn’t make it easier.”

“It’s not supposed to be easy. The day executing someone becomes easy is the day you stop being fit to lead.” He stands. “You’re a good Alpha Adrian. A good man. Don’t let this destroy you.”

A knock on the door as soon as he left.”Come in.”

Freya enters with her clothes chnged, She looks beautiful and I don’t deserve her.

“The pack is settling for the night. Clara’s handling guard assignments Marcus is prepping the rescue team” She closes the door. “You’re done for the day. Come to bed.”

“I’m not tired.”

“Liar.” She crosses the room. Takes the papers from my hands. “You’re exhausted. You’re barely holding together

“I killed someone today Freya. A kid. How am I supposed to just go to bed like it’s a normal day?”

“You’re not. It’s not normal. It’s terrible. It’s haunting you and it should.” She pulls me to my feet “But you’re not doing anyone any good sitting here drowning in guilt. You did your duty Now you need to take care of yourself. Let me take care of you.”

I let her lead me out of the office. Through the quiet halls. To our room. She closes the door Locks it

“Sit.” She points to the bed.

I sit. She kneels in front of me. Removes my boots. My socks. Taking care of me when I can barely take care of myself.

“Arms up.” She pulls off my shirt.

She strips me down to my boxers. Then herself down to her underwear. Nothing sexual about it. Just comfort. Skin on skin.

Connection.

“Lie down.”

I do. She lies next to me. Pulls the blanket over us. Wraps herself around me. Her warmth seeping into my cold bones. “Talk to me.” Her hand traces patterns on my chest. “Tell me what you’re feeling. Don’t hold it in. Don’t try to be strong.” “I’m feeling like a monster. Like someone who destroys lives. Like I don’t deserve you or this pack or anything good.” The words spill out. “I keep seeing her face. Hearing her last words. Feeling her die. And I can’t make it stop.”

“You’re not a monster. You’re carrying the weight of impossible choices. Of being the one who has to do the terrible things so others don’t have to.” She kisses my chest. Right over my heart. “That doesn’t make you evil. It makes you strong. Brave. And deeply, deeply human.”

“I don’t feel brave. I feel broken.”

“Broken doesn’t mean useless. Doesn’t mean unworthy. Doesn’t mean unlovable.” She shifts. Straddies me. Cups my face.” You’re still the man I love. Still the Alpha I chose. Still everything I want. One execution doesn’t change that.”

“How can you say that? How can you look at me the same way?”

“Because I understand now. Understand what being Alpha means. The sacrifices. The burden. The way you carry everyone’s pain so they don’t have to.” Her eyes are wet. “I love you more now. Not less. Because I see the full picture. See how much strength it takes to do what you did today. How much it cost you. How much you’re willing to sacrifice for the pack.”

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