Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 113

Regis

I should have been at the medical station to see Eileen two days ago.

The plan had been simple: arrive at the training camp, settle the students into their rotations, then ride to Hawthorne's medical station under the pretense of checking on wounded warriors. Clean, efficient, above suspicion. But on the second night, the perimeter alarms had shrieked through the darkness—rogue wolves, three of them, testing our defenses. By the time we'd driven them off and secured the breach, dawn was breaking and Commander Garrick was demanding a complete overhaul of our patrol schedules.

"Can't have holes in the line, Vane," he'd said grimly. "Not with students under our watch."

So I'd stayed. Reinforced the weak points, reassigned sentries, drilled the response teams until they could react in their sleep. Professional. Necessary. The kind of leadership expected from me.

I hadn't told Eileen about the incident. Telling her about rogue wolves prowling near the border would only add worry she didn't need, not when she was already navigating Silas Crowe's surveillance and trying to prove herself to Hawthorne's staff.

But now—finally—the camp was secure, the rotations were running smoothly, and I was free.

Valdor had been pacing restlessly in my mind for days. *She needs us. Why do we keep waiting?*

"We're going now," I told him, swinging into the saddle as the afternoon sun slanted through the pines. "No more delays."

The ride to the outpost took just under an hour, but every minute felt stretched thin. I could feel Eileen through the bond—a steady warmth laced with concentration—and beneath it, that persistent thread of missing me that made my chest tighten.

*Hold on*, I thought. *I'm coming.*

---

The medical outpost was a low building that smelled of herbs and lye soap when I pushed through the entrance. Dr. Hawthorne glanced up from a treatment table, his weathered face creasing into a look of mild surprise.

"Alpha Vane. We weren't expecting you today."

"I'm here to check on my mate and the wounded warriors," I said, keeping my voice level and professional even as my gaze swept the room.

And then I saw her.

Eileen stood in the doorway to the pharmacy, a bundle of dried herbs clutched in her hands. For a heartbeat she simply stared at me, her eyes going wide—and then her whole face transformed. Relief, joy, longing, all of it crashed through the bond in a wave that nearly staggered me.

She set down the herbs and crossed the room toward me, her steps quick despite the careful composure she was clearly trying to maintain. When she reached me, I took her hand without thinking, my thumb brushing over her knuckles in a gesture that felt as natural as breathing.

"Eileen," I said quietly, and heard the roughness in my own voice.

"Regis." Her smile was small and tremulous, and through the bond I felt her pulse racing beneath my touch. "How did you—I thought you were still at the training camp."

"We had a reprieve." I glanced briefly at Hawthorne, then back at her, letting my expression soften just slightly. "I came to see the injured soldiers. And you."

Pink bloomed across her cheeks. Around us, a few of the off-duty healers exchanged knowing glances, but no one looked particularly surprised. Most of the staff seemed used to the fact that she was my mate.

"Alpha Vane, what a pleasant surprise."

The smooth voice made me tense. Silas had emerged from Hawthorne's office, his expression genial and his movements unhurried. Everything about him looked harmless—pleasant smile, relaxed posture, eyes that crinkled at the corners like he was genuinely pleased to see me.

Valdor's hackles rose anyway. *Something's wrong with him.*

*I know.*

"Mr. Crowe," I said neutrally. "I trust Miss Wylde's work has been satisfactory."

"More than satisfactory." Silas inclined his head toward Eileen with what looked like genuine approval. "Dr. Hawthorne speaks very highly of her skills."

"Good." I kept my tone clipped, professional. "I'd like to assess the condition of the warriors now, if that's convenient."

"Of course, of course." Silas gestured toward the recovery wing with an open-handed flourish. "Dr. Hawthorne can show you the way. I'm sure Miss Wylde will want to accompany you—she's been their primary caretaker."

Eileen glanced at me, a silent question in her eyes. I gave her a small nod, and she fell into step beside me as Hawthorne led us toward the back rooms. I didn't reach for her again—not with Crowe's gaze tracking our movements—but I let my shoulder brush hers as we walked, and felt her lean into the contact just slightly.

Through the bond, warmth flooded between us. She was happy I was here. Relieved. And beneath that, a flicker of desire that made Valdor rumble with satisfaction.

*Soon*, I promised silently. *Just let me get through this inspection first.*

---

Most injured warriors looked significantly better than the reports had suggested. A broad-shouldered Beta with a bandaged shoulder, managed a respectful nod as I approached his cot.

"Alpha Vane, sir."

"How are you feeling?"

"Much improved, sir." He gestured toward his shoulder with his good arm. "Miss Wylde's been treating us with a new salve—takes the edge off the pain, helps the wounds close faster. She's been real good to us."

Eileen ducked her head slightly, but through the bond I felt her quiet pride. I rested my hand briefly on the small of her back—just a fleeting touch, but enough to let her know I'd heard the praise and agreed with it.

Dr. Hawthorne flipped through a worn ledger, nodding. "Miss Wylde has adapted remarkably well to field conditions. Her botanical knowledge is frankly beyond her years, and her instincts for triage are excellent. I've already noted in my report that she should receive an advanced certification once this assignment concludes."

"That's good to hear." I looked at Eileen, catching her gaze. "You've been working hard."

"I just want to help," she said softly, and the sincerity in her voice made something in my chest ache.

*You're everything*, I thought, and felt the bond hum between us.

Silas had followed us into the ward, observing from near the doorway with that same pleasant expression. "The council is very satisfied with Miss Wylde's performance," he said smoothly. "We'll continue monitoring the situation, of course, but so far there have been no concerns."

I turned to look at him directly, letting a thread of Alpha authority seep into my tone. "Good. Any issues should be reported to me immediately."

"Naturally, Alpha Vane." He inclined his head, his smile never wavering.

---

After finishing the inspection, I drew Dr. Hawthorne aside to his cramped office. Eileen followed, standing near the window with her arms folded loosely, and Silas managed to insert himself into the room as well, leaning casually against the doorframe.

"There's a matter I need to address," I said, keeping my tone brisk. "I've secured private lodging nearby—a cabin about ten minutes northwest of here."

Hawthorne's eyebrows rose slightly. "What do you need from me, Alpha Vane?"

I turned to Eileen, holding her gaze. "Eileen'll stay with me there at night."

It wasn't phrased as a question, and I watched her eyes widen briefly before relief flooded through the bond—warm and overwhelming.

"Could I?" she asked.

Hawthorne cleared his throat, the corners of his mouth twitching as if he were trying not to smile. "That's perfectly reasonable, Alpha. Mates should be together when circumstances allow. Miss Wylde's duties here usually don't extend into the evening, so there's no conflict. I'll make a note in the schedule."

Silas straightened from the doorframe, his expression thoughtful but still pleasant. "I see no issue with the arrangement," he said mildly. "Personal relationships are private matters, of course. As long as Miss Wylde continues to fulfill her responsibilities during the day, her nighttime accommodations are her own business."

There was something too smooth about the way he said it, as if he were filing away the information for later. Valdor bristled, but I kept my expression neutral.

"Then it's settled." I looked at Eileen. "Finish up here and meet me at the entrance when you're ready."

She nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, and slipped out of the office toward the pharmacy. I watched her go, then turned back to Hawthorne.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Doctor."

"Of course, Alpha." His eyes twinkled slightly. "Take care of her. Field conditions aren't easy, especially for someone in her condition."

"I intend to."