One Night

Chapter 206

Audrey

The scent of cherry blossoms and fresh coffee filled my lungs as I burst out into the spring air. I sta***gfuls of the stuff to help calm my nerves.

Why was I being like this? He was my mate, and I loved him; I should have been thrilled to see him after a month apart.

But seeing Edwin again brought up a lot of conflicting emotions that I hadn’t even realized I’d been pushing down over the past month. On one hand, the break we took was sorely needed. And yet, on the other hand, I missed him dearly.

My eyes landed on a nearby fountain, its water sparkling in the sunlight. I made my way over and leaned against the cool stone edge, closing my eyes and focusing on the sound of the water trickling over the ridges.

“This is st**id,” my wolf suddenly growled, breaking her month-long silence. “He loves us. We love him. Why are we doing this?”

I sighed and pursed my lips. “You know why,” I thought back. “He broke a promise. He took away our autonomy, treated us like we were made of glass.”

“He was trying to protect us,” my wolf argued.

“I know,” I admitted. “But it hurt. Everyone treats me like I’m some fragile, precious thing because I’m the Silver Star. I felt like I was drowning. Maybe it was selfish to call things off temporarily, but I needed to breathe.”

My wolf went silent again, but her anger was palpable even in her absence. She’d been like this over the past month; quiet and upset. I couldn’t blame her, seeing as how I was separating us from our mate.

But I felt as if I had little other choice. It was either this or cause even more emotional turmoil for the both of us by not taking the space we both needed. I needed to pass my final semester and get to know myself in this new body before I jumped into being the Silver Star and training for skills I didn’t even know I possessed.

Not that

“Audrey?”

any

of that made much sense, even to me.

I looked up, startled, to see Edwin walking toward me. My heart ski**ed at the sight of him, especially as a gentle breeze tousled his dark hair.

“Are you okay?” he asked, stopping a few feet away.

I put on a brave face and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit tired. I was up late last night working on my thesis.” I gestured vaguely toward the street, where various food trucks lined the curb. “I was thinking about grabbing a coffee from one of the food trucks nearby.”

Edwin’s face softened, and I felt my knees go weak. “Mind if I walk with you? I could use a coffee myself.”

I hesitated for a moment. Despite everything, I did still love him. Our break was never meant to be contentious; I just

needed some space, that was all. After a brief internal debate, I nodded. “Sure, that would be nice.”

We set off down the path, little pink cherry blossom petals drifting around us in the cool breeze. The silence between us was heavy, but not uncomfortable-being beside him set my nerves at ease, despite everything. As we approached the food trucks, Edwin stepped forward.

“Two lattes, please,” he said to the vendor as he pulled out his wallet.

“Oh, you don’t have to-”

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“It’s the least I can do, he cut me off. A moment later, he pressed a steaming cup into my hand, the brush of our fingers sending a jolt through me. He paused, his fingers still on my hand; I could feel him there, his presence down the bond, as his eyes met mine. But he didn’t reach out through the bond-clearly waiting for me to make the first move.

Out of instinct, I sent a brief nudge of affection down the bond. Edwin’s lips twitched in response, as though trying not to smile at my contact. My cheeks reddened and I quickly looked away, sipping my coffee even though it burned my tongue.

We continued walking, sipping our coffees quietly as we strolled along the sidewalk. Edwin cleared his throat and gestured up at the pink petals swaying in the breeze above our heads. “The cherry blossoms are beautiful this time of year, aren’t they?”

I nodded, following his gaze up at the pink trees. “Spring here is always lovely,” I replied.

“Not as lovely as you.”

My stomach twisted. I blushed deeply, looking away, at the trees, at my feet, anywhere but at him. But I could feel him looking at me, his gray eyes boring holes into the side of my head.

“So, how have you been?” Edwin asked after a moment. “How’s your thesis project going?”

“Things are good,” I said, feeling a slight surge of relief at the change of subject. “My grades are back up, and the project is almost ready. Just a few finishing touches left.”

Edwin finally cracked that smile, and the sight made my heart flutter anew. “I’m certain you’ll pass with flying colors. Maybe even be valedictorian.”

Helt my cheeks heat up. “That would be nice, but as far as I know, Betty is actually the current runner for valedictorian. I’m

happy for her. She works really hard.”

Maybe I would have been valedictorian had it not been for my grades slipping, but I didn’t say that out loud. Besides, I really was happy for my friend.

“Either way, I’m glad you’re doing well,” Edwin said softly.

I sucked in a sharp breath, then looked up at him and asked, “How about you? How have you been?”

Edwin sighed. “I’m… alright. Peter and I haven’t been able to track down Fiona yet. She escaped into Coldclaw territory, and it’s notoriously difficult to find people there due to the terrain and lack of cell towers and cameras. But we’re still looking.”

Frowning, I stopped walking and turned to fully face him. “I meant how you’re doing, Edwin. Not Fiona or Peter.”

He was silent for a moment, his gray eyes searching my face. Finally, he said, “I’ve been better. I miss you, Audrey.”

My breath caught in my throat. Before I could respond, Edwin reached out and gently plucked a cherry blossom petal from my hair. His fingers brushed against my cheek, and I felt my face flush.

“Are you still angry with me?” he asked quietly.

I couldn’t help myself. With trembling fingers, I touched his hand, holding it against my face for a moment. His palm was warm and comforting against my skin. “I was never angry, Edwin. I just needed space. I hope…” I took a deep breath. “I hope

you, too.” that we can rekindle things once my thesis is over. I miss

Relief washed over Edwin’s face. “I understand,” he said. “And I respect your need for space. I’ve done a lot of thinking these past weeks, and I want you to know that I hear you. I understand why you needed this time.”

Inodded, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

We stood there for a moment, just looking at each other. His hand lingered on my cheek, neither of us making a move to pull away. Then, Edwin asked, “How would you feel if I took you on a date after your thesis presentation? I have a nice

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Chapter 206

restaurant picked out and everything.”

JO 87%

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My heart fluttered yet again, and I couldn’t help but smile this time. “That would be nice,” I said softly.

Edwin’s eyes lit up, and he leaned in slightly, tilting my face toward his. For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and part of me wanted him to.

But then he seemed to think better of it. Instead, he pressed his lips gently to my forehead. My eyes widened, then fluttered closed, my body instinctively moving up on my tiptoes to press gently against his lips.

“I should go,” he said against my skin, his voice low. “But I’ll see you soon, okay?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Edwin gave me one last smile, then turned and walked away, his hands tucked into his pockets.

I watched him go, having to bite my lower lip to keep myself from grinning.