My Professor Is My Alpha Mate (Lila) novel Chapter 231

Lila’s POV

I woke up early the next morning so I could sneak back into my dorm room and change my clothing. I also wanted to shower before my first class. But when I got back into my room, Rachel was sitting cross-legged on the couch and watching reruns of Friends.

She frowned at me as I entered, and I felt my entire face warming up. It was obvious that I had just gotten back from sleeping over someone else’s place. My clothing was crooked, and my hair was a mess. I was mainly hoping that nobody was going to be awake on my travels to my dorm and I was almost right.

She opened her mouth to say something, but then it seemed like she changed her mind because she shook her head as if answering her own question and then turned back to the TV.

“We should go to the cafeteria this morning for breakfast before class,” Rachel said, casually.

I raised my brows at her and she glanced at me sideways.

“I think we could both use some coffee,” she further explained.

I smiled, relieved, and I nodded.

“Sounds good,” I said in return. “Is Becca awake yet?”

“No, but she doesn’t usually sleep much later,” she said in return. “I’ll text Brody and have him meet us.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’m just going to take a quick shower.”

She didn’t say anything as I went into my room and grabbed a fresh pair of clothing and undergarments, then I went into the bathroom.

The shower felt incredible. After the long night, I had been locked in that barn, this shower was everything I needed. I closed my eyes and allowed the steam to calm my every sense and soothe my body into relaxation. I still felt a bit weak from the wolfsbane and there were still no signs of Val returning to me anytime soon.

I could still feel her but at the same time, it felt like she was so far away that I couldn’t reach her. My heart tugged for her, and I couldn’t help but blame myself. I shouldn’t have been so careless and stupid.

It’s not like I trusted Xander, but I didn’t think he would do something this horrific. He was my professor after all. He’s supposed to put his own personal feelings aside and just teach me the damn lesson.

At least that’s what I thought.

Instead, he had some kind of vendetta against me because I’m a Volana wolf. He was trying to kill me and that was obvious to me now.

I shook my head at the thought as the water washed the soap out of my hair.

My father was still interrogating Xander; I wondered if he was able to get any answers from him. Xander was working for somebody; I was sure of it. But his motives were unclear; it was like he was trying to prepare me for something in the worst way possible.

Like his lessons have been a warning.

I sighed and shut off the shower. I grabbed a warm towel off the shelf and wrapped my body in it. As I went over to my foggy mirror, I wiped my hand across it so I could see my appearance. I somehow looked older.

My hair was longer, and my face had thinned out slightly. My eyes were still sapphire blue and amethyst purple, but it seemed like they held more wisdom. I looked a lot like my mother, which was an honor because she was beautiful.

I smiled to myself as I finished getting dressed. I put on my clothes, brushed my teeth, and then threw my hair up in a messy bun before leaving the bathroom.

Becca was already awake and sitting on the couch with Rachel when I emerged from the bathroom.

“Welcome home,” Becca said, peering up at me as I approached them. “Late night?”

“You could say that,” I said, trying not to meet her eyes because my eyes would eventually reveal that I wasn’t being completely truthful.

“I’m going to take a shower,” she murmured as she stood and went straight to the bathroom.

I sighed and sat on the couch beside Rachel whose eyes remained fixed on the TV.

“So, are you going to tell us what happened last night?” She finally asked, still not looking at me.

“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to appear innocent, but failing miserably.

“You didn’t come home. We were kind of worried about you,” she said, and this time she glanced at me.

I stared down at my lap with a timid frown on my lips.

“I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head but more eat myself than at her. “Brianna needed me last night so I spent the night with her.”

“Your friend from home?”

“She’s my best friend,” I corrected but agreed with a head nod as I looked at Rachel. “Her mate rejected her recently and she’s been really out of it. So, I spent some time with her.”

As I spoke those words, I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. Not only was I lying to my friend in front of her face, but I was also saying things that I should have done but haven’t. I should have spent more time with Brianna after she told me Alex rejected her. I should have been more there for her, but instead, I was wrapped up in my own stuff.

Well, actually, it was around the same time Jazzy was kidnapped and Diana’s village was in trouble. But still, Brianna deserved to have a friend in the corner during this heart-wrenching moment in her life. I didn’t even ask her how her wolf was…

I was a terrible friend to her, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep the tears from surfacing in my eyes.

“How is she doing?” Rachel asked, and now her voice was a lot softer and filled with compassion.

“She’s okay…” I lied; I still continue to lie even after how guilty I feel.

What was wrong with me?

Not wanting to continue this conversation, I decided to change the subject.