My Professor Is My Alpha Mate

Lila's POV

There was a part of me that was hoping that Enzo wouldnt show up. Emily and Kate were especially happy to meet him when I told them he agreed to come.

We spent most of the morning setting up the gallery for the show. The caterers arrived just in time to set up their stations for food and drinks and per request, Brody arrived with his guitar.

After talking with Brody over time, I discovered that he was huge into music and that it was a passion of his. I heard him playing in the student lounge and I knew he would be perfect entertainment for the art show.

“Where should I set up?” He asked, holding up his red velvet guitar case.

“I'll show you,” I said, walking toward a secluded area where a few paintings were set up. “You can set up your station however you want,” I told him with a kind smile.

"Hey, Lila! Can you help me place napkins around the tables?” Cassidy-Ann asked from across the room.

I nodded to her and went to grab the napkins in the back room. As I was in the backroom, rummaging through supplies, I could hear more people entering the gallery and gasping at all the fine art that was set up perfectly for their viewing.

It was only a small event with a few tables for eating, so I didn’t need that many napkins. I grabbed a handful and started to make my way out of the backroom when I felt his presence.

Val perked up right away, wiggling with excitement. My heart was beating quickly as I pressed my hand against the door. It was like I could feel his presence as if he was in the same room as me.

I pushed open the door and went to place the napkins on the table.

“Lila, when you are done come here for a moment. I'd like you to meet some people,” Cassidy-Ann called over to me.

I nodded my head once, trying to bring it back to the present moment. I had to try to get Enzo out of my mind. It was hard though, knowing he was approaching.

The feeling of his presence grew stronger; this was a completely new feeling for me. I finished placing the napkins on the table and joined her with a group of others who were all wearing fancy clothing.

“Lila, I wanted to introduce you to Leroy Klein, the founding leader of the International School of Art for Shifters.”

I stared down at his lips, wanting to kiss him repeatedly. I wanted to take him for myself.

I wanted him as my mate.

Yet, I was about to introduce him to a couple of she-wolves who want him as their chosen mates. It felt like my stomach was being ripped out.

“Professor Enzo,” I said when we finally met in the center of the gallery. “Thank you for coming to the show.”

He nodded his head, trying to appear professional. He was here as my professor, not my mate.

“I wanted to introduce you to a couple of women who work with me at the gallery. This is Emily and Kate,” I said, gesturing for them to step beside me. They eagerly stepped closer to him, both giggling and smiling like young schoolgirls. “They've been wanting to meet you,” I continued, plastering that smile on my face that shows I'm not in pain.

Enzo narrowed his eyes at them, not saying anything.

He soon started to look between all of us; I could see the questions surfacing in his eyes and the pure confusion on his face as he thought about what was happening.

Then, the realization fell across his face, and I felt my heart sink into the pit of my stomach.

He knew exactly what I was doing.

"Of course, he does,” Val chuckled.

“Ladies, it was a pleasure to meet you. I don't mean to be rude, but I should be going,” Enzo surprised me by saying.

Their excited smiles fell into frowns as they looked at one another.

Before I could grasp what was happening, Enzo was already leaving through the front door.

I stared after him in shock, unsure of what to do or think. Kate and Emily looked annoyed, folding their arms across their chests.

I shook my head and went after him.

I stepped outside and saw him walking down the walkway in the distance; it was mainly vacant outside. Only a couple of people were outside for a smoke break and talking amongst one another. I could hear the strings of Brody's guitar from outside; he was playing beautifully.

“Alpha Enzo! Where are you going?” I asked as I finally caught up to him.

He continued walking.

“I don't know why I bothered to come if you were just going to try and set me up with random, she- wolves,” Enzo muttered, continuing to walk.

I grabbed onto his arm, trying to slow him down.

“Then, why did you come here?”

He paused and glanced at me.

“For you, Lila,” he said through his teeth.

My breathing stopped and I stared up at him in complete shock.

“What?” I managed to ask.

“I came here for you,” he repeated, shaking his head with dismay written all over his face. “Because believe it or not, Lila. I can't seem to get you out of my head.”