The Professor's Mate Clause novel Chapter 92

Chapter 91

ADRIAN’S POV

15 Bonus

I watch her walk away. Watch her choose herself. Watch her leave me because I couldn’t be what she needed. Couldn’t see her properly. Couldn’t treat her as equal. And every step she takes feels like death. Like losing the only thing that ever mattered Like watching my future disappear into the darkness

She’s at the gate now. Almost to the car Clara has waiting. Almost gone, Almost free. Almost lost to me forever. And I realize something Something fundamental. Something that should have been obvious from the start.

I can t let her go. Won’t let her go. Not like this. Not without fighting. Not without telling her the truth. The whole truth. Not just the deal. But why I made it. Why I’ve been so desperate to protect her. Why I’ve been such a controlling asshole. Why I can’t seem to see her as equal even though she is. Even though she’s always been.

“Fuck the deal.” I’m moving before I finish the thought. Running. Shifting partially. Faster. Need to reach her before she drives away. Before she’s really gone. Before I lose my chance. “FREYA WAIT!”

She stops. Turns. Sees me running toward her. Her expression is pain and hope and fear all mixed together. “Don’t. Please don’t make this harder. Just let me go.”

“No,” I reach her. Breathing hard. “I can’t. I can’t let you walk away thinking you weren’t enough. Thinking I don’t see you. Thinking this is your fault when it’s all mine. Every bit of it. Mine.”

“Adrian…”

“Please. Just let me talk. Let me explain. Let me tell you everything. Then if you still want to leave. If you still need to go. I won’t stop you. Won’t follow. Will let you choose yourself. But please. Give me five minutes. That’s all I ask.”

She looks at Clara. Clara nods. “I’ll be in the car. Take your time.” She leaves us alone. Two people who love each other but don’t know how to be together. Two hearts breaking. Two souls trying to find their way back to each other.

“Talk.” Freya’s voice is hard. Guarded. “You have five minutes.

“The deal was a mistake. I know that now. Knew it the moment I made it but was too scared to admit it. Too convinced that protecting you meant controlling you. Too desperate to keep you safe to see I was destroying us in the process.” I run a hand through my hair. “Elder Moira offered me a way to defeat Asher. Information that would save the pack. End the war. But the price was you. Was sending you away. Was choosing your safety over our love. And I took it. Because I’m a coward. Because I’d rather lose you than bury you. Because I couldn’t bear the thought of your death but somehow thought I could bear your absence

“So you made the deal. Agreed to send me away. Without asking. Without telling me. Without giving me any choice “Her voice shakes. “How is that different from what Asher does? From what abusers do? You took my agency. My power. My right to choose my own path.”

“It’s not different. You’re right. I’ve been controlling. Possessive. Taking your choices away under the guise of protection And I hate myself for it. Hate that I became exactly what I swore I’d never be. Hate that I hurt you. Violated your trust Made you feel like property instead of partner.” I take a breath. “But I want to change. Need to change. Will do whatever it takes to change. Because losing you is worse than any fear. Worse than death. Worse than anything.”

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