Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 136

Eileen

The corridor outside Owen's room smelled of antiseptic herbs and something sweeter—Mira's lavender scent tangled with Owen's amber and cedarwood, creating a blend that spoke of new beginnings and mate bonds barely hours old.

Regis's hand settled warm at the small of my back as we walked away from the closed door. "Didn't expect Owen's message delivery to include finding his mate," he said quietly, a rare smile tugging at his mouth.

I laughed softly, leaning into his warmth. "Mira was so flustered she could barely speak. I've never seen her like that."

"First meetings tend to scramble the brain." His fingers traced idle patterns against my hip. "I remember a certain healer who ran away rather than face me the morning after."

Heat flooded my cheeks at the memory—waking in that moonlit clearing, panic sending me stumbling through underbrush in nothing but his torn shirt. "That was different. I thought you'd hate me."

"I could never hate my mate." His voice dropped to that rough, intimate register.

We reached the rest quarters—a modest room with a bed barely large enough for Regis's frame. He immediately went to the kettle, moving with easy efficiency.

I sank onto the bed, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was. The rush of Owen's arrival, Mira's bond snapping into place, the constant tension about Silas—it all caught up at once.

"You need rest." Regis poured hot water over chamomile and lavender, then crossed the room and knelt before me, hands finding my ankles with gentle pressure. "You were running in the dark on uneven ground while pregnant."

Guilt twisted in my stomach. "I heard you needed help—"

"I know." His thumbs traced circles over my ankles. "But you can't forget to protect yourself and our child."

My hand drifted to the small swell of my belly. "The baby's fine. Actually... I think they're excited about all the emotional energy tonight."

His expression softened in that way it only did when we talked about the baby. His hand covered mine over my stomach, and through our bond I felt his fierce, protective adoration for the life we'd created.

He retrieved my tea, pressing the warm cup into my hands before settling beside me. "There's something else. Owen's message—the reason he risked rogue territory to reach us."

I turned to face him. "The invitation you mentioned?"

"Alpha Adrian Cross of Northridge Pack is holding his mating ceremony in three days." His expression was carefully neutral, but through our bond I felt the question he wasn't asking. "It's a significant event. Most allied packs will attend, and Adrian specifically requested our presence."

My heart gave a strange little leap. "A mating ceremony?"

"A formal recognition of the Alpha's chosen mate and a celebration of their union," he explained. "It's also a chance to strengthen alliances." His hand found mine. "I owe you one, because we were still hiding our relationship back then. But… we could have ours after everything settles."

"You don't owe me anything," I told him, meeting his gaze. "I didn't even know these ceremonies existed—your father must have had his before I was old enough to notice, and no one ever told me. And it was my choice to keep us quiet. But now… I'm actually excited. I'd like to see one before we have our own."

"But it would mean leaving the medical station, traveling into potentially dangerous territory."

I heard what he didn't say—the risks to our unborn child, the exposure to unknowns. But I also felt his hope, his desire to show me something beautiful beyond constant threat.

"If we went," I said slowly, "would Mira be able to come? Since it's Owen's pack?"

Warmth flashed in his eyes. "I'm certain Owen would want her there."

"And Nina? Would she be safe?"

"Safer than here, where Silas knows exactly where to find her." Regis squeezed my hand. "Adrian's territory is well-defended, and he has a reputation for being unusually progressive about unconventional situations."

The pieces clicked together—a chance to escape the camp's oppressive atmosphere, let Mira explore her bond, give Nina respite from fear, and attend something joyful for once.

"You're worried about Silas making a move while we're gone," I said.

"Kieran will remain with full patrol rotation. If anything happens, he'll contact me immediately." His thumb traced circles over my knuckles. "The ceremony is only two days. But if you're not comfortable—"

"I want to go." The words came out firmly. "I want to see Mira with her mate. I want Nina to feel normal, even briefly. And I want to experience this with you. As your mate. Not as someone you're protecting or a complication, but as your partner."

The bond flared hot—his wolf surging with possessive pleasure. "You are my partner," he said roughly, pulling me closer. "In everything. Always."

I tilted my head back, finding his mouth with mine. When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against his. "Then let's go celebrate someone else's happiness."

"I'll make arrangements." Satisfaction hummed through our bond. "We'll take the main road with full guard."

"What about Mira?" I shifted in his arms. "She's probably having a complete emotional crisis right now."

Regis laughed. "Give her tonight. You can talk to her tomorrow."

He was right. Mira needed space, and I'd panicked spectacularly after my own sudden bond. Still, part of me wanted to check on my friend.

"She'll be fine," Regis murmured. "Her instincts will guide her."

I sipped my tea while he stroked my hair. "Do you know Adrian's mate? His Luna?"

Something complicated crossed Regis's face. "Morgan—that's her name—isn't his fated mate. She's his chosen one."

I looked at him properly. "There's a difference?"

"Not every wolf is blessed with a fated mate," he murmured, his voice low and steady. "What we have—that instant pull, that spark the moment our eyes met—some wolves never know it." His fingers drifted lightly down my arm, sending a shiver through me. "For some Alphas, the bond is chosen for strategy—someone strong, someone compatible. It's built piece by piece, growing over time, instead of striking like lightning the way ours did."

"So Adrian never met his fated mate?"

"I don't know. Some search their whole lives and never find them. Others find them but circumstances make union impossible." Regis shrugged. "Adrian chose Morgan, and from what I hear, they're well-matched."

I thought about the randomness of fate—how I'd stumbled into that forest at exactly the right moment. "We're lucky."

"Incredibly lucky." His arms tightened. "Which is why I'm ensuring nothing happens to you or our baby."

"As long as you don't hover so obviously everyone thinks I'm made of glass."

"I make no such promise." I felt his amusement through the bond. "You're carrying my child. I'm allowed to hover."

"You're allowed to be supportive. Not to treat me like I'm helpless." I looped my arms around his neck. "I can do this without falling apart."

"I know you can. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for." He kissed my forehead. "But that doesn't mean I'll stop wanting to shield you."

"I wouldn't want you to stop." I smiled against his lips. "Just remember I'm not fragile."

"You're fierce and brilliant and stubborn as hell," he agreed. "Which is exactly why I fell in love with you."

The words still made my breath catch. "I love you too."

We stayed wrapped in comfortable silence. Eventually, practical concerns reasserted themselves. "I should check Owen's bandages later. And we need to talk to Nina about coming."

"Tomorrow," Regis said firmly, guiding me toward the bed. "Now you rest."

"You're not a doctor."

"No, but I'm your mate, which gives me authority to override your workaholic tendencies." He pulled me down beside him. "Sleep, Eileen."

The exhaustion I'd been pushing away rushed back. I let him arrange me against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.

"Three days isn't much time to prepare Nina for so many new wolves," I murmured, already half-asleep.

"She'll manage. And you'll be there to help her." His hand stroked through my hair. "Now sleep. We have long days ahead."

I wanted to argue, to plan right now, but his touch was soothing and the baby had settled into calm contentment. My eyes drifted closed.

The last thing I felt before sleep claimed me was his lips against my temple and his whispered promise: "I'll keep you safe. Both of you. Always."

And wrapped in his arms, surrounded by his scent and unshakeable certainty, I believed him.