My Professor Is My Alpha Mate (Lila) novel Chapter 78

Enzo’s POV

“You went to the art show, Enzo?” Connie nearly hissed, stepping in front of me as I sat on the couch in my living room.

“What are you even still doing here, Connie?” I muttered, kicking off my shoes. “Didn’t your contract end a week ago?”

She pouted, folding her arms across her chest.

“Yes,” she answered. “But I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’m in between jobs and my next contract doesn’t start for another couple of weeks.”

“So, why can’t you stay elsewhere?”

“I don’t know anyone on this part of the continent,” Connie said, shaking her head. “You are my only friend in town, and I’d like to stay close to you. Is that such a crime?”

“Are you going to be a pest the entire time?” I asked, but I meant it almost teasingly despite how dry my tone was.

Connie could see through my humor right away though and rolled her eyes as she sat beside me.

“You are trying to avoid the conversation,” Connie pointed out, reminding me just how well she knew me. “You went to the art show.”

This time, it wasn’t a question.

“I was invited,” I said in return, loosening my tie. “It would be rude to say no.”

“Why do you keep showing up for her like this? What aren’t you telling me?”

“She’s my student,” I said to her through gritted teeth. “I went there to be supportive. Besides, I’m her recent painting so it would have been weird if I didn’t show up.”

“You still never explained to me why you would let her paint you. You never let anyone do anything like that with you before,” Connie said, raising her brows. “Then that one time she showed up here. It was like she’s done it before. There’s something weird going on with you and I’d wish you’d tell me the truth.”

“There’s no truth to tell you. I went to the art show and then I came back. I was only there for a few minutes anyways,” I explained. “Plus, none of this is your business.”

“You are my closest friend, Enzo… we grew up together. I know when you are hiding something from me. I need to know what it is before I lose my mind. I don’t like that we are keeping secrets from each other and—”

“She’s my mate.”

“What?” Connie gasped, staring at me.

Connie was right, I didn’t want to keep a secret like this from her. She needed to know the truth or else she would never drop it.

“Lila is my fated mate. We found out after she got her wolf,” I explained, shaking my head at the memory. “Neither of us has really talked about it. We’ve been avoiding it…”

“Your mate?” Connie asked in a small voice.

I could see the flash of hurt in her eyes.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “It wasn’t something I asked for. I would have preferred if she wasn’t my mate…”

“She’s a Volana…” Connie said, gazing up at me. “Being mated to her could prove to be dangerous. Your father’s men will use her to get to you, just like they did with your mother.”

“I’m aware,” I said, shaking my head again. “Not to mention if the school board found out, she could get transferred to a different school. That’s not something I’m wanting to risk.”

“She’s been your mate this whole time and you are now just telling me?” Connie asked tears filling her eyes. “How could you keep something this huge from me?”

“Because I’m not particularly proud of it, Connie,” I said, sighing. “I’m still trying to figure out what it all means. But for right now, all I can do is try to keep my distance.”

“Then no more showing up for her like this,” Connie said, folding her arms across her chest. “if you are serious about keeping your distance, then try to stay away from her outside of class. It’s for her own good.”

I knew she was right. I didn’t wish to have this conversation with her anymore and dismissed myself to the bathroom.

Nothing a hot shower couldn’t fix.

I allowed the steaming hot water to relax my sore muscles and I brushed the thought of Lila out of my mind. I couldn’t believe what I had said to her. I openly admitted to her that I had feelings for her, and it was only going to put her in more danger.

Connie was right though; I needed to try and stay away from her.

It was for her own good.