CHAPTER 6

[Gabriello's POV]

I looked at my watch excited, only 15 minutes before our meeting. I managed to finish the lecture before 7pm and even answer the questions I got rained with by the students. Well, most of them were female and most probably they were just trying to flirt with me.

"I am afraid, I'll have to leave now," I informed the group of females still surrounding me. I could smell their arousal, which made me feel rather noxious. Their faces changed in disappointment, and I had to push my way out. I was just heading towards the JHB forum to meet my mate. I was so excited that for the first time in a while I left my guard down. I can't believe that I haven't noticed my shadow.

[Ella's POV]

Despite the fear that crept its way into my soul, I couldn't help but feel excited. Would this count for a date? I asked myself and made my way from the first floor to the forum of the JHB building. With each step, my heart quickened. By the time I reached the forum, my mouth felt dry, and a knot formed into my throat. I swear, the room temperature increased by at least several degrees. I looked around and luckily most of the students already left. So, they would not see me almost falling on my face. There were a few students in the forum, but they were occupied either with the computers or queueing at the little café. I looked for the professor and he was already waiting at one of the tables next to the big glass wall. He was glaring outside, perhaps looking at the hurried students. He had two cups of coffee on the table and the fingers of his left hand were tapping into the wood table, the rhythm resembling a fast heartbeat. Was it my heartbeat? I asked myself. I approached him with little confidence. Elpis, if something happens, please help me. I pleaded to Elpis, hoping that she will hear me. Don't worry, you can count on me. Elpis assured me, holding a yawn. That didn't help reassure me much. I touched the little wolfsbane oil bottles in my pocket and that seemed to have helped me better.

"Hi," I timidly saluted the professor. He turned his glare towards me and smiled. My heart skipped a beat at the sight. If he truly is my mate, I must be one lucky woman, I thought while I approached the table.

"Hello, miss!" The professor replied. "I did not ask earlier what your name is." The professor continued and gestured towards me to sit on the opposite seat.

"Thank you," I said. "My name is Antonella, professor," I answered and sat on the chair. He shuffled the second cup of coffee towards me.

"Nice to meet you, miss Antonella," The professor replied. I looked up at him and then at the cup. "I got you a hot chocolate." He spoke. "By the way, you can call me Gabe." He continued, showing his charming smile again. I blushed.

"Then, you can call me Ella," I said, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. The sweetness of the drink was overwhelming. I put the cup back on the table and pushed it away. "This is way too sweet."

"I am sorry." Gabe apologised, looking down at his cup of coffee. "I've already made a wrong choice."

"No. That's ok. You couldn't possibly know that even though I love chocolate, I despise hot chocolate." I excused his mistake. After all, the gesture alone was more than sufficient. I don't remember the last time someone bought me a hot drink.

"So, just to go back on topic…" Gabe quietly spoke.

"Yeah," I automatically agreed.

"About being mates." Gabe continued, "maybe we should know each other a bit more, before…" He said, playing with his cup of coffee.

"Before we do the actual mating." I completed his sentence, blushing hard. I knew that not even the thick layer of foundation I wear would conceal my blushing. His eyes turned black for a second, it was so fast that if I were a human, I am sure I wouldn't have noticed.

"Yes, about that." He confirmed. "We could go out for a film over the weekend," He suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea."

"And dinner after." He continued, following the example of dating seen in contemporary films.

"That's set," I said, getting up to leave.

"I'll take you home." He offered. "It's getting dark out there." I looked outside, and indeed the sun had already set and I could see the darkness creeping in.

"Is a long way from here. About 16 miles away." I said yet hoping that he'll give me a lift. I hate finishing uni late, I only get to arrive home around 10 pm. Is too late to have any energy left for looking over the day's notes. And I hate having to go to bed late and wake up early the following day.

"That's not a problem. I just filled up the thank."

"Fab," I replied, happy that I don't have to take a long way home with the risk of missing the last train.