One Night With My Alpha Professor
One Night 83

Chapter 83 Edwin

The only sound in my quiet office was that of my pen scratching softly on paper. I sat hunched over my desk, my eyes. bleary from grading piles upon piles of essays and exams that I had gotten behind on over the past few weeks.

"You can't keep doing this all on your own. The stress is affecting me, too, you know."

My wolf's voice was a constant echo in the back of my mind, his complaints growing louder by the minute. "Quiet," I growled, pushing his presence down. He was growing restless lately; I hadn't shifted in some time, not since I had taken up residence here in the city.

But his complaints weren't completely unfounded

It was true; ever since Audrey had left my employ, I had been running behind on grading. The dean had offered to assign me a new teaching assistant, but I had refused, insisting that I would rather just work alone for the remainder of the

semester.

And while that sentiment still remained, I was sort of starting to regret not accepting the help. It was just that... I didn't want to get to know a new TA, nor did I want to train him or her. Besides, no one would be as good as Audrey. I had gotten incredibly lucky having her as my assistant-feelings or no feelings, she was a d**n good TA.

Suddenly, a sharp knock at my door broke my concentration. "Come in," I called out gruffly, not looking up from my work. The door opened, and Charles stepped in with a grin on his face that immediately piqued my curiosity. "Sir, you're not going to believe what I just saw," he said, barely containing his laughter as he approached my desk.

I raised an eyebrow. "It had better be good if you're interrupting my work just to tell me about it," I said curtly.

Instead of speaking, he pulled out his phone and held it out to me. On the screen was a picture of that... kid, whose name I couldn't remember but I recognized as Audrey's ex, completely tangled up in what appeared to be bolts of fabric in the

storeroom

"What on earth happened here?" I asked, taking Charles' phone.

Charles' grin widened. "It was Audrey, sir. He tried to kiss her against her will, so she pushed him into the shelves in the art storeroom and then just... left him there."

I couldn't help the tiny smirk that began to tug at the corners of my lips at the thought. "She did what?"

"She left him there, sir. Just grabbed what she needed and ran out."

I shook my head, unable to hide the small chuckle that escaped me, I almost wished I had seen it; I knew that that kid gave her trouble in the past, and it seemed that she was giving him a run for his money. "Well, good for her," I said, returning my attention to my grading.

“But, um... That's not all, Alpha," Charles said, his tone of voice growing a little more serious now.

Lifting my head again with a sigh, I quirked my eyebrow at him What is it? I'm busy today, Charles, so make it quick."

Charles nodded and cleared his throat. "After Audrey left, I overheard Max on the phone with someone. They were talking

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Chapter 83

about the Equinox Masquerade."

My earlier amusement faded quickly. My Beta wouldn't be mentioning something like this if he didn't have a good reason "What about it?".

Charles lowered his voice a little, even though we were alone in my office. "It sounded... ominous, sir. Max said something along the lines of, “Shell be sorry if she goes to the Equinox Masquerade.” "Who was he on the phone with?" I blurted out.

"I'm not sure, Alpha. But I'm worried that Audrey might not be safe if she attends the masquerade. Should I try to stop her from going?"

1 leaned back in my chair, pondering this new information. On one hand, I had promised both myself and Audrey 1 wouldn't get involved in Audrey's personal life again. The last time I tried to help, it had backfired spectacularly.

On the other hand, the thought of her masquerade being ruined by another student-especially one as troublesome as Ma -didn't sit well with me.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Charles I finally said after a moment, picking up my pen again. "Let her got the masquerade. I'll handle this myself."

Charles nodded. "Of course, Alpha. Is there anything else you need?"

I pursed my lips for a moment, thinking, before I nodded. "Actually, yes, there is something you could do for me. Make an appointment with the tailor for me, would you?"

The tailor?" Charles co**ed his head. "What for, if you don't mind me asking?"

I'm

ngoing to need a new suit."

That very afternoon, I found myself standing in front of the mirror in the tailor's shop, adjusting the lapels of my new suit. It was a deep, midnight blue, almost black, with subtle silver threading that caught the light as I moved. Not my usual style, but when I had seen it on the mannequin coming in, I couldn't resist at least trying it on.

"Sir, you look fantastic, Charles said from where he stood nearby as the tailor pinned the suit to my body.

I turned this way and that, examining my reflection from different angles. "You think so? It's not too much?"

Charles shook his head emphatically. "Not at all, sir. It's perfect for a masquerade.

I nodded, reaching for the mask that completed the ensemble. It was a simple domino mask, made of the same material as the suit, with silver filigree around the edges. I slipped it on, tying the ribbons securely behind my head.

Yes, I thought to myself, Perfect. With some colored contacts and a little washable hair tint, she won't be able to tell it's me from far away.

"Well?" I asked, turning to face Charles to get his opinion.

He eyed me for a moment, and then his grin widened. “Alpha, ini may be so bold, you're going to be the talk of the masquerade."

I grit my teeth as I turned back to the mirror. "Let's hope not. The point is to blend in, remember?"

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Chapter 83

"Of course, sir." Charles said, although his tone suggested he didn't believe that would be possible. B11%8

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As I studied my reflection, I thought about my plans for the masquerade; no tricks, no fancy schemes. Just keeping an eye on Audrey. I had to make sure that she was safe, after all, and I had to do it without her replaceing out.

That day when Charles had told me about what he had overheard, a plan had immediately come to mind. I hadn't been to a masquerade in years, and frankly I abhorred them, but I couldn't let her good night- and all the hard work I knew she was putting into her ensemble-be ruined

But at the same time, I had to ensure that she didn't even know I was there. I planned on fading into the background, simply watching from afar. If anything seemed amiss with that Max kid or anyone else, then I would step in.

Until then, though, I would just be another mask in the sea of other attendees.

"Is everything to your liking, sir?" the tailor asked, breaking me out of my reverie as he stepped back.

I nodded and admired the tailor's handiwork for a moment before slipping off the mask. "Yes, it's perfect. Thank you."

"You can pick it up in a few days, sir," the tailor said. "I'll add your suit to the top of the priority list."

"Thank you." I handed the tailor a sizable tip for his trouble and walked back into the fitting room, changing back into my usual tweed suit.

Once I was finished, Charles and I headed back out into the bright afternoon sun. Charles matched my stride, glancing up at me as we walked down the street side-by-side. "It has been quite a while since you've attended one of these events, hasn't it?" he asked.

I nodded, already wondering what Audrey's gown would look like. Beautiful, probably. That would certainly make it difficult to stay away from her.

"Indeed it has, Charles," I muttered. "Indeed it has."

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