Page 44

Cooper

I’m seconds away from going feral. It’s been an entire month since my mate went into that hospital, and it feels as if there’s been no progress on my end.

I’ve even tried going up there with a subpoena to see Nina with my lawyer last week, but we were rejected. They said they didn’t need to adhere to it because Nina was voluntarily committed. The signature on the paperwork backed up their claim, however, I know it’s a lie.

I’m only still teaching to hold onto a semblance of self control and normalcy. I have always known that my need to have a submissive relationship was to release the fury and annoyance that lives just under my skin. It keeps me calm to have that release valve.

I can praise and degrade in the same breath, keeping a sub riding the edge of pleasure.

Nina was a gift I didn’t think I would ever receive. Every nerve ending feels raw, my need to protect her subverted at every turn, and it’s turning me into a monster.

“Sir?” Brooke asks tentatively at the door.

Forcing air into my lungs, I nod.

“Yes,” I growl, unable to help it.

“Do you need anything else today? I was going to get ready to leave,” she explains.

“No, thank you,” I sigh. “I’m going to knock out the rest of these papers and then I’ll go home.”

“Professor, may I make a suggestion?” she asks.

My glare is the only response I give her as I rub my pounding temples. I doubt she’s going to offer to suck my cock, not when I released her from that arrangement.

“I might suck as your assistant, but I do know all of your lessons like the back of my hand,” she says. “Will you let me grade those at home? Otherwise, I think everyone is going to fail.”

Glancing down at my red pen and the marks I’ve already been making as I destroyed this student’s paper, I sigh.

“Yeah, I think that may be better,” I accept, pushing the papers away as I cap the pen.

“I noticed you’ve been more aggressive than usual,” Brooke says gently, walking over to pick up the papers. “Can you tell me why?”

“You know we don’t discuss private matters,” I remind her, stretching to attempt to relax my strained muscles.

“Of course, I know,” she says with a nod, straightening out the papers and putting them in a folder to add to her bag. “I was just wondering.”

“Fair warning, my mood is going to be shit for awhile,” I say before deciding to give her a small tidbit. “The reason I released your contract is because I met my scent match. But, I can’t see her right now and it’s making me lose my goddamned mind.”

“She doesn’t want to see you?” Brooke asks, wide eyed.

“It would be easier if that was the case. I could work with that by convincing her to give me a chance,” I mutter. “She’s being held against her will and I can’t get to her. I know that sounds dramatic, but?—”

“You’re not prone to dramatics,” she says, shaking her head as the folder slides into her bag. “I could tell there was something different. You were actually happy for just a little while. Still you, still difficult, but lighter.”

“And now that she’s gone, I just want to burn everything down,” I explain. Blowing out a breath, I stand. “I’m trying to get her out, but they’re throwing their weight behind mental health law.”

“Like the psych ward kind?” Brooke asks.

“Yep,” I grunt, grabbing my bag and pulling on my coat. “Except, there’s nothing wrong with her except her bitch of a mother. It’s complicated and frustrating, and I’m doing the best I can. If shit gets any worse, I’m going to take a step away from teaching. The only reason I haven’t already is because it’s something for me to focus on.”

Brooke nods, and I can tell she’s thinking hard.

“What?” I ask, brow raised. For some reason, I don’t want her to think badly of Nina. In fact, I can feel myself getting incensed by the thought.

“Nothing, it’s just that even though I’m a beta, I hear things about how dangerous it is for omegas,” she explains. “It’s scary shit, you know? I’m going to light a candle on my way home for her safe return.”

“Thank you,” I breathe, shocked.