The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 89

Chapter 89

FREYA’S POV

Something is wrong with Adrian

He came back from those three days different. Colder. More distant. Like he’s aiready started pulling away. Like he’s already decided we’re over but hasn’t told me yet.

At first I think it’s guilt. Shame over what he almost did. The near-marking. The loss of control. But it’s more than that. It’s intentional. Like he’s deliberately creating distance. Deliberately pushing me away. Deliberately ending us slowly instead of all at once.

And I don’t understand why. Don’t understand what changed in those three days. Don’t understand where he went or what he did or what broke inside him that made him stop fighting for us.

We’re preparing for the traditional challenge tonight. Adrian will face Asher one-on-one. Winner takes all Loser dies. The pack is mobilized. Ready. Confident in their Alpha. Confident he’ll win. Confident this ends tonight.

But I’m not confident. Because Adrian is different. And different doesn’t feel like stronger. Doesn’t feel like ready. Feels like broken. Resigned. Like he’s already accepted something terrible and is just going through the motions until it becomes reality.

I find him in his office. Staring at papers. Not reading them. Just staring. “We need to talk.”

“I’m busy. Challenge is in a few hours. Need to prepare.”

“You’re not preparing. You’re avoiding. Avoiding me. Avoiding us. Avoiding whatever happened in those three days.” I close the door. “Where did you go Adrian? What happened? Why are you pushing me away?”

“I’m not pushing you away. I’m focused. There’s a difference.”

“Bullshit. You won’t look at me. Won’t touch me. Won’t talk to me beyond necessary pack business. That’s not focus. That’s withdrawal. That’s someone who’s already checked out.” I move closer. “Tell me the truth. What happened in those three days? What changed?”

He finally looks at me. His eyes are empty and hollow. Like he’s already grieving. “Nothing changed. I’m just being realistic. About us. About what happens after tonight. About the fact that the Council won’t let this go. That keeping you means putting you in constant danger. That maybe Elder Nathaniel was right. Maybe you should be away from all this.”

My blood runs cold. “Away from all this. Or away from you?”

“Both. Same thing.” He looks back at the papers. “After tonight. After Asher. You should go. Start fresh somewhere. Be free of supernatural politics. Be safe. Be-”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” The words explode out. “You’re planning to send me away? After everything? After the bond? After I chose you? After I stood by you through all of this? You’re just going to… what? Reject me? End us? Decide unilaterally that I’m better off without you?”

“It’s not unilateral. It’s logical. It’s practical. It’s what’s best for-”

“Don’t you dare.” I slam my hands on his desk. “Don’t you dare tell me what’s best for me. Don’t you dare make decisions about my life without me. That’s exactly what got us into this mess. Your need to control. To protect. To decide for both of us.”

“This is different.”

“How? How is this different from almost forcing a mating mark? From using Alpha command? From treating me like property instead of a partner?” Tears stream down my face. “You’re doing it again Adrian. Taking my choice away. Deciding my future. without my input. Because you think you know better. Because you think your fear matters more than my autonomy.

“I’m trying to save your life.”

By destroying it? By ripping me away from the pack? From you? From everything I’ve built here?” I laugh bitterly, “You’re not saving me. You’re punishing me. For being human. For being vulnerable. For making you feel things you can’t control.” “That’s not ” He stops. Runs a hand through his hair. “Freya. Please. Just trust me This is for the best.”

“No. You know what’s for the best? Honesty. Partnership. Actual conversation instead of unflateral decisions.” I step back. When did you decide this? When did you choose to throw us away?”

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