All Chapters of The Professor's Mate Clause : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

ADRIAN'S POVI haven't slept in three days.Every time I close my eyes I see her. Begging me to mark her. Crying because I won't. Looking at me like I'm breaking her heart when all I'm trying to do is protect her.It's torture.Worse than the silver chains. Worse than Asher's compound. Worse than anything I've ever endured.Because the solution is right there. So simple. So easy. Just one bite. One mark. One claiming and everything gets better.But I can't. Won't. Not while she's like this."You're being stupid." Kael's voice in my head. He's been arguing with me constantly. "Our mate is suffering. We can end it. Why won't you let me?""Because it's wrong. She's not in her right mind.""She's conscious. Aware. Begging for it. How much more consent do you need?""Consent given under duress isn't real consent." I've had this argument with him a hundred times. "She's dying Kael. She's desperate. She'd agree to anything if she thought it would save her.""And you'd rather let her die than

ADRIAN'S POVI've felt it for days but couldn't pinpoint what. Just a nagging sensation. Like being watched. Like someone knows things they shouldn't.Now I know why."Explain this to me again." I stare at Marcus across the war table. "Slowly. Because I must have misheard you.""The supply route we planned three days ago. The one only inner circle knew about. Asher's forces ambushed it. Killed two of our wolves. Took all the supplies." Marcus's jaw is tight. "They knew exactly where and when. Down to the minute.""And the safe house in the eastern territory?""Compromised. We evacuated just in time. Found evidence Asher's wolves had been watching it for days. Knew our rotation schedules. Knew when guards changed." He slams his fist on the table. "Someone told them Adrian. Someone from inside."A traitor. In my pack. Someone I trust. Someone who sits in these meetings. Someone who knows our plans.The thought makes my blood run cold."Who knows about the supply routes?" I keep my voice

ADRIAN'S POVThe pack and environment was just so quiet, no one speaks about the execution directly. But it hangs over everything. Every conversation. Every interaction. The reminder that pack law is absolute. That betrayal has consequences. That even sympathy and understanding don't override justice.I handle Alpha business on autopilot, I met with scouts about the rescue mission for Emma. Reviewing security protocols. Approving new guard rotations. All the mundane details of keeping a pack running.But inside I'm hollow. Empty. Still feeling Lyra's life end under my claws. Still seeing her young face. Still hearing her ask me to save her sister.Freya stays close. Not hovering. Not suffocating. Just present. A constant reminder that I'm not alone in this. That someone sees the burden and doesn't look away.By evening the pack starts to relax. Life goes on. Death is part of our world. Execution for betrayal is rare but not unheard of. They process and move forward because they have t

FREYA'S POVI wake up to sunlight and the smell of coffee.Adrian's side of the bed is empty but still warm. I can hear him moving around. The clink of mugs. The sound of the coffee maker. Domestic sounds that feel surreal after yesterday's darkness.I stretch. Everything is pleasantly sore. Last night was exactly what we both needed. Connection. Intimacy. Proof that we're still alive. Still capable of creating something beautiful together.I pull on one of his shirts and pad out to the kitchen. He's standing at the counter. Shirtless. Wearing just sweatpants. Making breakfast. Pancakes from the smell of it."You are cook?" I lean against the doorway. Admiring the view.He turns. Smiles when he sees me. A real smile. The first one since the execution. "I do many things. You just haven't seen most of them yet.""I like this domestic side of you." I cross to him. Wrap my arms around him from behind. "Alpha by day. Chef by morning. What other hidden talents do you have?""Guess you'll ha

FREYA'S POVEmma has been with us for a week and she's not adjusting well.She barely speaks. Barely eats. Stays in her room most of the time. The few times I've seen her she looks hollow. Empty. Like her sister's death took everything that made her Emma.I know that feeling. The grief. The guilt. The wondering if you could have done something different. Something that would have changed everything.Clara says to give her time. That grief takes as long as it takes. That pushing won't help.But I can't just leave her alone. Can't let her drown in guilt and loss without at least trying to reach her.So I knock on her door. "Emma? It's Freya. Can I come in?"Silence. Then. "I guess."I open the door. She's sitting on the bed. Staring at nothing. Dark circles under her eyes. Hair unbrushed. She looks like she hasn't slept in days."I brought food." I hold up a tray. "Clara made your favorite. Grilled cheese and tomato soup. You should eat something.""I'm not hungry.""You need to eat any