CHAPTER 7

[Professor's Gabriello POV]

I tried to open my eyes; all my attempts proved to bring no result. It's cold, it's dark and I feel weak. Is this a nightmare?

[Ella's POV]

Today makes a week since I haven't heard Elpis. I tried numerous times to reach her without success. I can still feel her presence but is like she is in a coma. Have I harmed her that bad with my use of wolfsbane? I asked myself while fearing the retribution I'll get from the moon goddess. What if she'll never wake up? I again asked myself. These though we're becoming more often the last couple of days. I haven't even realised when I was already in the biological psychology class sitting down in the front row. What snapped me out of the thought was seeing professor Gabriello entering the room. Well, Gabe, how he told me to call him.

"Morning everyone," he said, and then looked at me giving me a charming smile. My heart skipped several beats because of the way he smiled at me. I know my face was flustered, to hide it I made myself busy with my notebooks and pens getting ready to take notes. The rest of the lecture went smoothly, he would from time to time steal glances at me, and I would also admire his godlike appearance when he didn't notice.

"He's a hottie, right?" My classmate remarked, winking at me. She must have seen how my eyes were on him almost the entire time.

"Indeed"

"I would totally jump his bones if I would have the opportunity." She said while leaving the room. I was still tidying my desk. But that remark made me feel rather possessive of Gabe. I clenched my fists, my already long nails digging deep into my palms. The possessiveness got quickly replaced by anger, was I angry at her or at myself? I wasn't sure. Again, I remained the last in the room, but this time I did so with a slight of intention, Gabe also waited for me. I didn't notice until he startled me with his question.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?" He asked, his voice sounded very pleasant to my ears.

"Absolutely," I replied without thinking. "Yeah, sounds good." I corrected myself to save face. But it seems that it was too late, his smile told me how embarrassing I acted. I smiled sheepishly at him.

"I was thinking that we could try the new café down the road." He suggested.

"Sure."

"I just need to drop this at the office." He said, gesturing towards the pile of files from his arms.

"Those are lots of papers for a temporary position," I remarked, seeing the pile of folders he was leisurely carrying.

"Well, they are not just the papers I got for the lectures I am giving. They are also some more important ones." He said, his eyes changed for a short time. I wasn't sure if his face displayed regret or disappointment.

"What's the name of this new café?" I asked, changing the subject. In no time we arrived at his office, he dropped the pile of papers on his desk, and we went to the entry of the campus. His red Ducati motorbike was waiting by the exit. I still wasn't sure if he was allowed to park there. A flashback from the night he took me home appeared in my mind. This time he asked me to climb on the motorbike first. I wasn't sure what his idea was until he climbed behind me ending up in a tight hug. I guess it makes sense to ride like this as compared to his heigh I am a minion. The last time I rode on the back, and I could barely hold into him with my tiny arms. But being in his arms makes the inner battle between accepting that he is my mate and between thinking that there might be a possibility for him to be my hunter, impossible to win. His warmth sent shivers through my entire body and made me feel at least several degrees too hot. I didn't feel the strong sparks I was expecting to feel, but that might be because I can't reach Elpis. However, it might also be because he is indeed my hunter. I flinched at the thought but chose to focus on the present and enjoy the proximity of our bodies.