My Professor Is My Alpha Mate

Lila's POV

“Lila, darling, what's going on?” My mother asked as she came into my room

I could hear the party continuing down the stairs, though it was growing late in the evening, and most were heading home. Becca and Brody are each set up in one of the guest rooms and I had said goodbye to Brianna a little while ago.

Only Bri knew the real reason why I was upset, but for the most part, I quietly went up the stairs and headed to bed.

I hoped nobody would notice my absence, but my mother did.

“I guess I'm just not feeling too well,” I told her, curling up in my bed and pressing my knees close to my chest.

It was taking everything I had not to cry.

She frowned and walked toward me; with one quick motion, she pressed the back of her hand against my forehead for a moment.

“You don’t feel warm,” she said thoughtfully. “Do you want me to bring you some tea?”

“No, I'm okay,” I assured her. “I'm just going to get some sleep.”

“Is it because you're nervous about your trip?”

"Maybe a little bit,” I admitted.

I was most nervous about not seeing Enzo for two months. Tonight was my last chance to see him before I left. I wasn't sure how Val would be able to handle being away from him for this month.

I felt sick to my stomach thinking about it.

“You're going to be wonderful, Lila Bean. Cassidy-Ann will take wonderful care of you and help you get settled,” my mother assured me as she sat down on the bed beside me. “And you can call us every night to update us. You know I'll aways answer your calls.”

I gave her a kind smile as she wrapped her arms around me.

“I love you so much,” she said to me

“I love you too,” I said in return.

"Everything okay?” My father asked, poking his head in the doorway.

“Lila has a little cold feet about her trip. I was just telling her everything was going to be fine,” my mother filed him in.

They all went with my family and me to the airport to say their final goodbyes. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. Everybody had misty eyes as they hugged me tightly.

“I'm only going to be gone for a couple of months,” I said as I hugged a sobbing Brianna.

“I know but it's going to feel like a lifetime,” she cried. “It was bad enough when you moved to the Shifter academy which was an hour away. Now you're going across the world.”

“I'll be back before you know it,” I told her, hugging her tightly.

“Call me every day,” she ordered, finally releasing me.

I chuckled, but the chuckle didn't reach my eyes.

“I will,” I promised.

I hugged both Becca and Brody as well.

I wished Rachel could be here, but I knew she was focused on her recovery right now and wouldn't be back for another few weeks.

"Have an amazing trip,” Brody said with a fond smile as he wiped a tear away from my face using his thumb.

I smiled at him.

“Thank you,” I said to him.

I hugged the rest of my family tightly before finally taking a step toward the terminal gate.

“Call when you land,” my mother ordered.

I gave them a wave before turning toward the gate and greeting the stewardess. I handed her my ticket and she handed me my seat number.

“Enjoy the flight,” she said politely.

I thanked her and boarded the plane.

"We should wait a little longer,” Val said in a hoarse whisper. “He might show up.”

I glanced out the window of the plane and saw the luggage being transported to the bottom of the plane. I saw a bunch of people walking around the runway, getting planes ready for takeoff.

But I didn't see Enzo.

“He's not coming,” I told her, shaking my head. “I'm not going to sit around and wait for someone who clearly doesn't care.”

She was quiet once I said that.

We made our way down the aisle until I found my seat.

It was next to a hooded gentleman who sat by the window. I put my backpack between my legs and took a deep breath to relax my nerves. This was my first time on a plane. I was glad to not get the window seat.

The man beside me appeared to be sleeping already; maybe I should fall asleep too so I can sleep through this flight.

The stewardess walked down the aisle as others began taking their seats.

“Excuse me,” I said as she reached me. “Can I get a soda while we wait for the plane to take off?” "Yes, certainly,” she said with a kind smile. “I'll grab that for you.”

“Thank you,” I said as she disappeared down the aisle.

“You know, those things aren't good for you,” the man beside me muttered.

His voice sounded oddly familiar.

I frowned and looked over at him; I was about to tell him off when he removed his hood and looked over at me.

Soon, all words were gone from my mind and I gasped loudly.

I couldn't believe what I was looking at.

Or rather, who I was looking at.

"Professor Enzo?"