My Professor Is My Alpha Mate (Lila) novel Chapter 167

Lila’s POV

I stared dumbfounded at this man that Rachel introduced as her father.

“Ray,” he corrected, holding out his hand for me to take. “You can call me Ray.”

“Hello, sir,” I said in return, shaking his hand.

Rachel had confided in me once about her home life and the struggles she’s had growing up. A lot of it pushed to abuse drugs and alcohol which led to the problems she has currently. Most of these issues stemmed from her estranged relationship with her father.

From what he told me, he wasn’t a good man. He was incredibly abusive in more than one way and the thought of him weaseling his way back into her life caused me to feel unsettled.

She even looked uncertain when she introduced us, and I couldn’t help but notice the plastered smile on Ray’s face when he shook my hand. It looked like he didn’t want to be here any more than she wanted him to be here.

But it made me wonder why he was putting on such a show and who he was trying to impress.

“Rachel had told me a lot about you. I’m glad to finally able to put a face to the name,” Ray said, his dark eyes fixated on my face and making me feel even more uncomfortable. I felt the need to take a step back this time.

“Dad, why don’t you get the rest of my stuff from the car,” Rachel suggested, peering up at him.

He pulled his eyes from me to look at her, a deepened frown playing on his lips. He eventually nodded.

“Sure, I’ll be right back,” he said with a large grin.

He turned away and left our dorm, leaving all three of us silent.

I finally look at Rachel with disbelief on my face.

“Why is he here? He’s the route to most of your problems, Rachel.”

“I know…” she breathed. “But he’s still my dad.”

I could see the sadness and remorse on her face; she was unable to look me in the eyes.

“He abused you for years,” I reminded her. “And you are just going to let him back into your life just like that?”

“It’s not that simple,” she said, meeting my eyes. “As bears, we are loyal to our kind. I can’t just walk away from my father.”

“After everything he had put you through??”

“He’s trying to make it up to me. I’ve been staying with him these last few weeks and he’s been really great. He feels badly about how he treated me so he’s basically buying my forgiveness. He’s bought me so much.”

“You aren’t an item that he can just buy, Rachel. You deserve so much better than that and it’s not fair,” I said, shaking my head.

“It’s not up to you, Lila,” she said in return.

Her voice was calm and not at all upset.

I knew she was right, but I really didn’t want Rachel getting hurt.

“I’m just glad you’re here, Rachel,” Becca grinned. “It wouldn’t’ have been the same without you.”

“I second that,” I said in return, happy for the subject change.

Rachel hugged us both again before going off to her room to unpack. I looked at Becca with a worried frown.

“I don’t like that her father is here,” I murmured, trying not to be too loud.

“I know. But there isn’t anything we can do about it,” she said with a shrug. “Rachel can make her own decisions.”