The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 85

chapter 85

FREYA’S POV

My heat lasts five days.

Five days of barely leaving our room. Five days of Adrian taking care of me. Of us giving in to every need. Every desire. Every desperate craving the heat brings.

By the time it finally breaks we’re both exhausted. Satisfied, Closer than ever. The bond between us practically glowing with strength even without the completing mark.

I’m just starting to feel normal again when Marcus knocks on our door. “I need both of you. Now. We have a situation.”

Adrian and I exchange glances, stood up and got dressed quickly. Then we followed Marcus to his office where the entire inner circle is gathered. Clara. Chief Winters(who was surprisinly close after the ritual incident). Dr. Chen. Kelvin. All looking grim.

“What happened?” Adrian asks immediately.

Marcus holds up a letter. “This was delivered an hour ago. By one of Asher’s wolves. Under flag of truce.”

“What does it say?”

“Read it yourself.” Marcus hands it over.

Adrian opens it. I read over his shoulder. The words make my blood run cold.

Alpha Metcalfe,

I grow tired of this war. Of the resources wasted. Of the wolves lost. Of the endless cycle of attack and retaliation that benefits

neither of us.

So I propose a simple solution. A way to end this conflict with minimal bloodshed.

Surrender the hybrid. The abomination you call your mate. Give her to me and I will withdraw. I will leave your pack alone. I will cease all hostilities.

You have 48 hours to comply. If you refuse, I will bring every wolf at my command. Every ally I have. Every resource I can muster. I will destroy your pack completely. I will kill every wolf who stands with you. I will burn your territory to ash. And then I will take her anyway. But at least you’ll have the comfort of knowing everyone you love died first.

The choice is yours Alpha. Her life. Or theirs.

You have until sunset two days from now to deliver her to the northern border. Alone. Unarmed. Or face total annihilation.

Choose wisely.

-Asher

Everywhere was silent, everyone was processing what this means, what Asher is demanding, what he’s threatening. “This is insane.” Clara speaks first. “He can’t actually expect Adrian to hand over his mate. That’s….”

“Exactly what he expects.” Chief Winters interrupts. “He’s gambling that Adrian values the pack more than one person. That he’ll make the logical choice. Sacrifice one to save hundreds.”

“Except she’s not just one person.” Marcus’s voice is hard. “She’s his mate. His bond. You don’t just hand that over. Not for anything. Not for anyone.”

All eyes turn to Adrian. Waiting. Watching. Wondering what he’ll do. What he’ll choose. Me or them. Love or duty. Mate or pack.

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