My Professor Is My Alpha Mate (Lila) novel Chapter 76

Lila’s POV

There was a part of me that was hoping that Enzo wouldn’t 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 almost gasped, staring up at the man that could make it possible to pursue my dreams. The International School of Art for Shifters was on the other side of the planet basically, in Monstro, the second largest town that occupies a bunch of packs just like Elysium. Of course, Elysium is the biggest town in the world and occupies the most packs.

But Monstro was always a town that I’ve read about in books and magazines, and I’ve always dreamt of visiting. I’ve heard it’s the most beautiful town to ever exist. Not to mention the weather was always gorgeous there and almost everybody lived on the beach.

The International School of Art for Shifters is one of the best and biggest colleges. It was always ranked the number one academy in the world. Only the best artists, including Cassidy-Ann, attended that school.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about you, Lila. I’m hoping we will get a chance to talk later on?” Leroy Klein asked.

I couldn’t believe he was standing in front of me right now. I’ve never even imagined that I would get a chance to meet him.

“Yes, sir. I would like that very much,” I said to him, trying to remain confident.

“I was just showing him some of your work,” Cassidy-Ann further explained. “He’s quite impressed with you.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” I said with a bright smile. “That means a lot to hear.”

Leroy nodded his head and before he could say anything more, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I froze and looked up at Brody who was staring at me with a kind smile.

“Sorry to interrupt. But I can’t seem to find the plug for my guitar,” he said a bit sheepishly.

“Oh, you might need to move the table that’s over there,” I told him. “I believe it’s behind it.”

He nodded, but just before he removed his hand, his eyes wandered across the crowd and then a frown appeared on his lips.

“You invited Professor Enzo?” Brody asked, seemingly confused.

My heart fell into my stomach. I was so wrapped up in my conversation with Cassidy-Ann and Leroy Klein, that I completely forgot about that intense feeling of Enzo’s nearby presence and the impatience of my wolf.

I stared across the crowd, and my eyes locked onto Enzo’s.

His eyes held mine for a moment before they shifted to Brody and then to Brody’s hand that remained on my shoulder. I saw his eyes darkening; I could tell he wasn’t happy.

But why?

I stepped away from Brody, allowing his hand to fall from my shoulder and I glanced back at Leroy and Cassidy-Ann.

“If you’ll excuse me, there’s someone I need to speak with,” I told them, bowing my head slightly at Leroy Klein as if he was royalty.

Who am I kidding? To me… he was the closest thing to royalty I’ll ever get to meet.

“We’ll talk more later, Lila,” Leroy said, bowing his head to me in return.

I couldn’t help the wide smile on my face as I walked past him. I paused when I saw Kate and Emily talking to a small group of people, showing off their paintings and explaining their thought processes on their creations.