My Professor Is My Alpha Mate (Lila) novel Chapter 21

Lila’s POV

My legs were on autopilot.

The thought of enjoying a large feast with my friends and family, with Enzo sitting in the guest bedroom, was unsettling in my stomach. I didn’t want to pretend that Enzo wasn’t here.

I felt it would have been unfair to him.

I knocked on the door to the room he occupied, feeling a wave of nerves surfacing in my chest.

“Come in,” he muttered from inside.

I opened the door, peering into the room.

He sat at the desk across the room with his laptop propped open. I should have known he would be working. He looked engrossed in whatever he was typing out on his computer.

I couldn’t help but stare at him, taking in the masculine glow that danced around his features. He was biting on his bottom lip as he concentrated, causing me to bite onto my own.

He glanced up from the computer, his eyes narrowed as he stared around my body. He took in my appearance it seemed before his eyes fell upon my gaze.

“Are you going to be joining us for dinner?” I asked, pulling my mind together.

He rose his brows as if he was surprised by the invite.

“I have things to take care of,” he explained; his tone was kept low and unbothered.

“I get that,” I said, glancing at his laptop. “But even you need a break, Professor.”

“If I don’t get these documents in—”

“Your entire pack will fall apart?” I asked, teasingly.

He frowned, staring at my face for a moment longer.

“I’m sure whatever it is, it can wait until later,” I tell him. “Please, join us for dinner. My mother made so much food. It would mean a lot to her if—”

“Why?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Why do you want me to attend this dinner?” Enzo asked; he was now leaning back in his chair with a small glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Why is it so important to you that I’m there?”

I felt my face warming at his words. He was being arrogant; I straightened my stance and turned toward the door.

“Suit yourself; if you don’t want to eat then I won’t force you.”

As I walked toward the door, I heard him standing on his feet.

“I suppose I am a little hungry.”

…

The entire dining room smelled absolutely delicious when we entered. The long dining table was covered in a different variety of foods. Everybody stood to greet me as I took my seat; Enzo sat at the other end of the dining table, stuffed between the twins.

He looked so awkward I could help the smile that tugged at my lips.

“There she is!” Uncle Blake said as he gave me a one-armed hug. “How do you feel?”

“Excited,” I said with a toothy smile. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to shift today.”

“Believe it, kiddo,” he said, sitting down beside me. “It’s going to be a painful transition though. Make sure you take it slow.”

“Our Lila bean is incredibly strong. She’ll be able to handle it,” my father said with a wink. At that point, he glanced down the table at Enzo. “I’m glad you were able to make it to dinner.”

Enzo gave him a head nod but didn’t say anything in return.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold,” my mother ordered.

As we ate, my father peered over at me.

“Your mother told me that you were the one who caught those thieves.”

I nodded through a mouthful of food.

“I heard a woman crying for help,” I tell them. “I wasn’t sure what else to do. I ran in their direction and saw them terrorizing her.”

“Where’s this woman now?” My father asked, peering down at the table at Enzo.