Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 12

Regis

The bond *flared*. I felt Valdor's desperate joy, felt my own heart stutter in my chest. Her eyes were the warm brown of honey in sunlight, wide with fear and something else I couldn't quite name. And beneath the masking herbs, beneath the layers of protective scent-dampening, I caught the full force of her natural fragrance, like a sun-warmed meadow, like *home*.

"Eileen Wylde, Instructor." Her voice was thin, strained, and she dropped her gaze immediately after speaking.

*Eileen*. Finally, I had a name for the girl who'd haunted my thoughts for days, who'd saved my life and then disappeared like morning mist.

"Thank you, Miss Wylde. You may sit."

She practically collapsed back onto the bench, and I had to force myself to continue the lesson, to act like my entire world hadn't just shifted on its axis. Valdor was crooning in my mind, repeating her name like a prayer—*Eileen, our Eileen, our mate*—while I struggled to remember what point I'd been making about defensive positioning.

The rest of the class passed in a blur. I went through the motions, demonstrated basic evasion techniques, corrected stances and answered questions. But my awareness never left her.

When I finally dismissed the class, I watched her flee—there was no other word for it—with Mira at her side, practically running toward the dormitories.

"We have to go after her!" Valdor was frantic now. "She's leaving! She's running from us again!"

"No." I forced myself to stay rooted in place, to let her go even though every instinct screamed otherwise. "We can't chase her down like prey. She needs space. Time. We need to be *smart* about this."

Valdor howled in protest, but I'd already begun formulating a plan. Going to her directly would only frighten her more. Calling her to my office would raise questions, create gossip that would make everything worse. But there was another way—a legitimate, professional reason to request her presence that wouldn't draw unwanted attention.

I reached out through the mind-link, focusing on the bright, bold presence I'd identified as Mira Thornwood.

*Miss Thornwood. This is Instructor Vane.*

There was a startled pause, then a cautious response. *Instructor? Is something wrong?*

*I reviewed the student records and noticed that Miss Wylde has not yet manifested her wolf form.* I kept my mental voice calm, professional. *Academy policy requires all wolfless students to be issued emergency communication devices for situations where mind-link isn't available. Please inform her that she needs to come to my office this afternoon to receive the equipment and training on its use.*

Another pause, longer this time. *Why not tell her yourself, face-to-face?*

A fair question. I'd prepared for it.

*I observed that you two are close friends. Delivering this information through a peer will make her more comfortable. Wolfless students often face discrimination at this academy—I don't want her to feel singled out or shamed by official summons.*

I felt her surprise, then something that might have been approval. *I understand, Instructor. It's so nice of you. I'll tell her.*

*Thank you. My office is in the east wing of the administrative building, third floor. Anytime this afternoon will be fine.*

I severed the connection and finally allowed myself to move, walking toward the equipment shed with measured steps while my mind raced ahead to the coming meeting.

Valdor was practically vibrating with anticipation. "We're going to see her. Talk to her. Finally *explain*—"

"We're going to be calm," I corrected firmly. "Give her space to speak and make her own choices."

"And if she rejects the bond?"

The spike of pain was immediate, but I forced the words out. "Then we accept it—but not without trying everything we can first."

Because that was what being her mate truly meant—not claiming her, not marking her, but ensuring her happiness and safety above all else. Even if that meant letting her go.

---

Eileen

"He used mind-link on me!" Mira hissed the moment we were far enough from the training grounds. Her hand was pressed to her temple like she was still processing the intrusion. "Vane. The instructor. He just... *reached into my head*!"

My heart stopped. "What did he say?"

We'd made it halfway back to the dormitories before she'd grabbed my arm and pulled me to a halt, her expression caught somewhere between confused and impressed. Now she was staring at me with that particular look she got when trying to solve a puzzle.

"He said..." She paused, clearly trying to remember the exact words. "He said he checked the student records and found out you haven't manifested your wolf yet. Something about academy policy requiring emergency communication devices for wolfless students?" Her brow furrowed. "He wants you to come to his office this afternoon to get the equipment and learn how to use it."

The world tilted sideways. My office. This afternoon. *Him*.

"But that's not even the weird part," Mira continued, oblivious to my rising panic. "I asked why he didn't just tell you himself. And he said..." She shook her head, looking almost impressed. "He said he wanted me to tell you because going through a friend would make you more comfortable."

She squeezed my shoulder, her expression softening. "Honestly, Eil, I know you're nervous about the new instructor being an Alpha and all, but that was actually really thoughtful. Most instructors wouldn't bother thinking about that kind of thing."

I couldn't speak. Could barely breathe. He wanted to see me. Alone. In his office. And he'd created this perfectly reasonable, professional excuse to make it happen without raising suspicions or making me look singled out.

It was considerate. Careful. Exactly the kind of thing someone would do if they were trying to protect my reputation while also desperately needing to talk to me about something they couldn't discuss in public.

Like, for instance, the mate mark currently hidden beneath my scarf.

"Eil? You're doing that thing where you go really pale and stop breathing." Mira peered at my face worriedly. "It's just picking up a communication device. You'll be fine. And honestly, it's probably a good idea—what if there's an emergency and you can't reach anyone because you don't have mind-link?"

"Right," I managed weakly. "Good idea. Very... practical."

Mira beamed. "See? I told you the new instructor seems reasonable. Maybe this mandatory combat class thing won't be so bad after all." She started walking again, chattering about how impressive Instructor Vane's demonstration had been, how his wolf must be *massive* based on the way he moved.

I followed numbly, and the mark was warm again, pulsing in a rhythm that felt almost like... anticipation?

*No. No, this is bad. This is very bad.*

He knew who I was now. Eileen Wylde. A first year on the advanced healing track. Wolfless. He'd looked right at me in class, had probably scented the masking herbs I'd used. God, he must have been angry, since a marked girl dared to hide his scent.

And now he wanted to see me privately.

To talk about the mark? To tell me it had all been a terrible mistake and he needed me to sign some kind of magical non-disclosure agreement promising never to speak of it?

Or worse—what if he wanted to complete the bond? What if he felt obligated, trapped by Alpha honor into claiming a mate he'd never have chosen consciously?

By the time we reached our dorm room, I was spiraling so badly that I didn't notice Mira had stopped talking until she physically turned me to face her.

"Okay, what's really going on?" Her eyes were sharp with concern. "You've been weird all weekend, and now you look like you're about to pass out. Is this about Derek? Because I swear, if he said something to you—"

"It's not Derek." The words came out too quickly. "I just... I didn't sleep well. And the combat class was more intense than I expected. I'm fine."

Mira's expression clearly said she didn't believe me, but she let it drop. "Well, maybe you should rest for a bit before going to Instructor Vane's office. You look exhausted."

Rest. Right. As if I could possibly sleep with the afternoon appointment looming like an execution date.

I nodded anyway, retreating to my bed and curling up on my side, facing the wall. From next door, I heard Mira getting into her bed.

*What am I going to say to him?*

I could pretend I didn't remember that night—claim I'd been too drunk, that it was all a blur. But that felt dishonest, and besides, the mate bond probably made lying impossible. Could he sense my emotions through it? Feel my fear, my confusion?

I could apologize for approaching him in the woods, for touching him when he was vulnerable. But that seemed wrong too—I'd saved his life. I shouldn't have to apologize for that.

I could ask him to break the bond, if that was even possible. But the thought made something in my chest twist painfully, and I didn't want to examine why.

I closed my eyes and tried to breathe, counting down the minutes until I would have to stop hiding and face whatever came next.