Chapter 42 – Falling for the Alpha As a Student Novel

Filed To Story: Falling for the Alpha As a Student Novel

Cassidy-Anne was talking casually with some people as we approached, but when she saw me alongside my father, she quickly dismissed those she was talking to.

“You must be Layla,” Cassidy-Anne said. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

“I’m the one who’s honored,” I said, bowing my head slightly to her. “I’ve always loved your work. I can’t believe you chose my portrait.”

“I would be stupid if I didn’t,” she said, and then she lowered herself, so she was at eye level. “And I’m not stupid,” she winked.

A smile spread across my face.

“Thank you so much,” I said.

“After seeing your painting, I’ve decided that I really want you to work for me,” Cassidy-Anne said with a twinkle in her eyes. I gasped at her words, staring at her in disbelief. “You’d start off as my assistant and then work your way to the top. I think you have what it takes to be the next big artist in the world. Of course, you will be compensated for your hard work, and we can work around your school schedule.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” I breathed, staring between her and my father. This almost felt undeserving after what happened this past week, but I was in such awe I could hardly form words.

“Say you’ll accept,” Cassidy-Anne said with a fond smile. “I wouldn’t want anyone else to be my assistant.”

I looked at my father again who gave me a nod of encouragement.

“Yes, of course, I accept,” I said widening my smile.

“Excellent. I’ll text you the details in the morning and we can discuss when you start.” She paused as she glanced behind me at a few different people. “Excuse me, there’s someone I need to speak with. It was lovely meeting you, Layla. I’m sure we will talk more as the evening goes on.”

“Thank you again,” I said after her as she disappeared into the crowd.

Before I could say anything to my father, I got a familiar sense that washed over me, causing Val to perk up instantly.

I knew this feeling all too well.

Enzo.

He appeared through the crowd; it was like the crowd of people was creating a path for him to walk through as he made his way over to me.

His face was hard to read, but that part wasn’t what surprised me.

What surprised me was the fact that he dressed up.

Was he dressed up for me?

Was he here to support me?

“Of course, he is!” Val cooed.

We hadn’t talked since before I heard him and Connie talking in the arena the other day. A knot formed in my stomach at the very thought of it.

I didn’t realize my father had already walked away until Enzo was directly in front of me.

“I’m surprised you came,” I said, trying not to sound too awkward.

“I figured I should, considering it’s my picture that hanging up,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

I felt my face reddening under the intensity of his stares.

“Right,” I said with a light chuckle.

“Becca is going to be okay, in case you were wondering,” Enzo said, eyeing me carefully. He didn’t sound angry, but he didn’t sound pleased either.

“I heard,” I tell him. “I’m going to visit her later.”

“Probably a good idea,” he agreed. “She doesn’t remember anything that happened.”

I nodded, indicating that I knew that part too.

I couldn’t stand this awkward talk anymore; the memory of Connie invaded my mind every time I saw him, and it was destroying me on the inside.

I cleared my throat and turned away from him.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to mingle with others,” I say to him as I walk through the crowd of people.

…

Enzo’s POV

For most of the night, Layla seemed to not have noticed me. Her painting of me hung beautifully on the featured wall, and she was talking with a bunch of others, including those I recognized as her friends and family.

But she wouldn’t look in my direction at all.

I don’t know why I found that to be incredibly irritating.

I shouldn’t want her attention, but I certainly didn’t want her to ignore me either.

She had finally glanced over in my direction, but it was only briefly. Soon, she was walking through the crowd of people, and I couldn’t help but follow her this time.

Max was going crazy not being around her and I worried I would soon lose control of him.

She walked around the corner and into the women’s bathroom.

What am I thinking? I asked myself as I checked behind me to make sure nobody was looking as I too shoved my way into the women’s room.

She was standing in the mirror, breathing heavily, and meeting her own eyes. She was alone in the bathroom, thankfully. I wasn’t sure how I would explain why I was in the women’s room to anyone else if they were to see me.

She noticed me quickly and she looked shocked to see me standing before her.

Before she could open her mouth and utter a single question, I was rushing toward her, lifting her onto the sink, her legs wrapped around me, and her pelvis pressed against mine; I firmly pressed my lips against hers.

Layla’s POV

Everything happened so fast; my heart was racing at lightning speed as Enzo lifted me onto the sink. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around him; mainly to keep myself from falling off the sink, but also because it just felt right.

I felt him between my legs, pressing himself against me and growing through his pants. I wrapped my arms around the back of his neck and felt his lips closing in around mine.

I closed my eyes as he kissed me.

His lips were so soft and inviting; everything about him was just so good. The way he smelled, the way he felt, the way my heart raced whenever I was around him, and I can’t forget about the sweet bliss Val felt.

I could feel her running laps in my mind’s eye and howling in delight as Enzo continued the embrace.

He bit onto my bottom lip and brought it into his mouth hungrily. At this moment, he wanted me as much as I wanted him.

Nothing was in my mind; I didn’t think about Connie or what she had said previously, and I wasn’t thinking about how Enzo had treated me.

Is this what it truly feels like to have a mate?

His hands ran down my back, sending goosebumps across my flesh as he played with the zipper on my dress. He wanted to take my dress off and I wanted to let him.

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