One Night

Chapter 210

Audrey

“Audrey! Wait!”

Edwin’s voice echoed down the bond, but I didn’t-couldn’t-stop. I needed air, needed to breathe.

My feet carried me forward, tears blurring my vision as I pushed past startled students and faculty. Finally, I came to a door leading outside, and the cool morning air hit me like a brick wall. It was all I could do to stagger off to the side and breathe deeply, my lungs struggling to take it all in.

Mr. Black had sabotaged me yet again… But why? Was he still trying to get back at me for what had happened last year, or was this something else?

Suddenly, Edwin burst out into the courtyard after me and grabbed my wrist before I could slip away again.

“Audrey-”

“I don’t want to talk,” I choked out around the lump in my throat. “Just leave me.”

Edwin frowned, his grip tightening on my wrist. “No. Tell me what happened.”

I turned to face him, my chest heaving with sobs I could no longer contain. Despite the warm, sunny spring morning, my body felt chilled to the bone.

“There will be no celebratory date tonight,” I managed bitterly. “I… I failed my presentation. I have to repeat my last semester.”

Edwin’s gray eyes widened in disbelief. “What? How is that possible? Your work is always incredible.”

Through my tears, I recounted what had happened with Mr. Black, the doctored photos, and the other judges’ reactions. Edwin’s expression darkened with each word, his jaw clenching in anger. I could feel his fury through our bond, his need for

Justice

“This is ridiculous,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m going to go talk to them right now. They’ll change their minds once I explain what’s really going on. That bastard is clearly up to something, and I won’t let him get away with it.”

But as Edwin turned on his heel to storm back to the presentation room, I grabbed his arm, feeling the muscles tense under my touch.

“No!” I exclaimed, my voice louder than I intended. A few passing students turned to look, and I lowered my voice, feeling fresh heat rise to my cheeks. “No. You promised you would stop doing this, Edwin. I want to handle this on my own, not have you fix it for me.”

My mate’s brow furrowed, his eyes searching my face. “But Audrey, this isn’t fair. I can’t just stand by and watch you suffer for something that isn’t your fault.”

“And I’m tired of having you always fix all of my problems,” I interrupted, wiping away my tears with the back of my hand. “What sort of reputation will that give me? People know enough about our history as it is, and word will get out. I’ll be seen as the girl who only ever got anywhere in life thanks to her man, not her own hard work.”

Edwin’s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. Finally, after a moment, he nodded, although I could see the reluctance in his eyes. “If that’s what you want, very well,” he said, his voice tight. “But if they don’t listen to you, I’m stepping in. Come on, let’s go back right now-”

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“No.” I took a step back. “Tomorrow. Or the next day, or… I don’t know. But I can’t go back there right now.” I shivered at the memory of Judge Fuller’s face, of

e moment he thought I was grabbing his wrist for some sinister purpose.

Edwin sighed. “Fine. Then let me take you on that date, at least. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

I shook my head, suddenly feeling exhausted. My limbs felt heavy, my knees trembling slightly. “I hope you understand if I’m not really in the mood for going out right now…’

“Then what are you in the mood for?”

“Curling up under a blanket and hiding from the rest of the world,” I admitted.

A small smile tugged at Edwin’s lips, softening his features. “We can do that if you want, but can we at least do it together? I’ve missed you dearly, Audrey.”

My wolf, who had been silent for so long, suddenly stirred. “Please,” she whined, “I need our mate…”

I felt my resolve crumble. I missed him, too. “Okay,” I relented. “We can go to your place.”

Relief washed over Edwin’s face as he took my hand, leading me away from the building. The drive to his apartment was quiet, the silence broken only by my occasional sniffles.

As we walked through the door, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Everything was exactly as I remembered it, from the soft throw pillows on the couch to the faint scent of Edwin’s cologne in the air.

Instantly, I felt a bit of tension bleed away from my shoulders.

“I… I don’t have any of my stuff here anymore, I realized out loud, suddenly feeling a little out of place.

Edwin disappeared into his bedroom, returning a moment later with one of his shirts. “Here,” he said, handing it to me. “You can wear this. It’ll be more comfortable.”

I nodded, taking the shirt from him. Without thinking, I began to undress right there in the living room. It wasn’t until I had. my blouse hat a mix of desire and concern in his gaze.

half unbuttoned that I realized what I was doing. I looked up to see Edwin’s eyes roaming over my exposed skin,

For a moment, I felt a flicker of something-a spark of passion that I sorely missed, sorely needed. It would be so easy to run to him right now, to fall into bed with his arms around me and let him take me into a world of pleasure where nothing else mattered.

But any energy I had for desire was quickly extinguished by the weight of my sadness. I was too drained, too heartbroken to feel aroused, even as Edwin’s gray eyes lazily traced the curves of my body for the first time in nearly two months.

So instead, I slipped on his shirt, the fabric soft against my skin and smelling of him. I then curled up on the couch beneath a soft blanket, feeling small and vulnerable but a little better now.

Edwin knelt beside me, his hand gently stroking my hair. “I’ll be back soon, okay? I just need to run out for a bit.”

I nodded, too exhausted to even speak. As the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath, trying to hold back a fresh wave of tears.

Time passed slowly as I laid there, my mind replaying the events of the day over and over. Eventually, the chill coming through the open window made me shiver, and I realized I needed something warmer. Reluctantly, I got up and made my way to Edwin’s bedroom in search of a sweater.

As I rummaged through his closet, a glimmer caught my eye. The nightstand drawer was slightly ajar, and something inside

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was reflecting the light. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked inside.

My breath caught in my throat.

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There, nestled in a small velvet box, was a ruby ring-the exact same one I had fallen in love with at the shop months ago. My heart raced as I stared at it.

“Oh, Edwin,” I whispered, tracing my thumb across the little red stone. “What have you been planning…?”

Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening snapped me back to reality. I quickly closed the drawer and grabbed a sweater, my mind reeling from what I’d just seen.

Edwin’s voice called out from the living room. “Audrey?”

I took a deep breath, composing myself before stepping out of the bedroom. Edwin stood in the entryway, holding up two bulging bags of takeout Chinese food. The smell of fried rice and sweet and sour chicken filled the air, making my stomach growl despite everything.

“I thought some comfort food might help,” Edwin said, a tentative smile on his face.

I nodded, trying to act as if nothing had happened. As if I hadn’t just discovered an engagement ring hidden in his nightstand.

“That sounds good,” I managed to say.

Edwin’s smile widened, seemingly oblivious. He plopped the bags down on the coffee table and shrugged off his jacket. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s eat.”