Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 137

Eileen

The next morning brought crisp autumn air and the organized chaos of preparing for departure. I woke to find Regis already gone—probably checking security arrangements—but he'd left fresh bread and tea on the small table with a note in his precise handwriting: *Eat. Rest. I'll handle everything.*

I smiled despite myself. His need to take care of me would probably never change, and I was learning to accept it as the love language it was rather than an insult to my competence.

After eating, I made my way to the medical wing. Time to face the more delicate conversations.

Mira's door was closed, but I could hear voices inside—her bright laughter mixing with Owen's deeper tones. I hesitated, not wanting to interrupt, but Mira must have heard my footsteps.

"Eileen! Come in!"

I pushed open the door to find them sitting close together on the bed, Owen's bandaged shoulder not preventing him from keeping one arm around Mira's waist. They looked... settled. Like they'd been together for months instead of hours.

"How are you feeling?" I asked Owen.

"Much better, thanks to your treatment." His smile was genuine, warm in a way that made me understand why Mira's wolf had recognized him instantly. "And to Mira's company."

Mira blushed but didn't pull away. "We were just talking about Northridge Pack. Owen's been telling me about his family."

"Actually," Owen said, "I was hoping to ask a favor. Alpha Vane mentioned you might attend Adrian's Luna ceremony?"

"We're planning to," I confirmed. "If Hawthorne clears you for travel."

"I'd like Mira to come with us." Owen looked at her with such open affection it made my chest ache. "I know it's sudden, but I want her to see my home. Meet my family."

Mira's eyes widened. "Really? You want me to meet your family already?"

"You're my mate." He said it simply, like it explained everything. And maybe it did.

I watched Mira's face cycle through surprise, joy, and terror in rapid succession. "Eileen, I... can I talk to you for a second? Outside?"

We stepped into the corridor. Mira immediately grabbed my hands. "This is crazy, right? I just met him yesterday and now he wants me to meet his entire pack?"

"It's fast," I admitted. "But mate bonds are like that."

"What if they don't like me? What if I say something stupid? What if—"

"Mira." I squeezed her hands. "You're wonderful. His family will see that. And if Owen's anything like Regis, his wolf wouldn't have chosen you if there was any doubt you'd fit into his life."

She took a shaky breath. "You really think I should go?"

"I think you should listen to what your wolf is telling you. And if she's saying yes..." I smiled. "Then trust her."

Mira nodded slowly, then broke into a grin. "Okay. Okay! I'm going to meet my mate's family. Oh Moon Goddess, I need to figure out what to wear—"

"We'll figure it out," I promised, laughing at her sudden panic. "Together."

My next stop was harder. Nina's door was slightly ajar, and I found her sitting at her small desk, staring blankly at an open book.

"Nina?"

She looked up, and I saw the shadows under her eyes. She hadn't slept.

"I came to ask if you'd like to come with us. To Northridge territory. For the Luna ceremony."

Her expression didn't change. "Why would I go?"

"Because you need a break from this place. Because it's safer than staying here with Silas still at large." I moved closer. "And because I'd like you there. As a friend."

Something flickered in her eyes—surprise, maybe, or disbelief. "Friends don't usually invite cursed witches to important pack events."

"Good thing I don't believe in curses then." I sat on the edge of her bed. "Nina, you deserve to experience normal things. Joy. Celebration. You've been surviving for so long—maybe it's time to try living."

She was quiet for a long moment. Then: "What if someone recognizes what I am?"

"Alpha Adrian is known for being progressive. And you'll be under our protection—mine and Regis's." I reached for her hand. "Please. Come with us."

Finally, she nodded. "Alright. I'll come."

Relief flooded through me. "Good. We leave tomorrow morning. Pack light—we'll only be gone a few days."

---

We took off the next day when everything was ready. The carriage wheels hummed against packed earth as we traveled toward Northridge territory. I sat beside Regis, his hand warm over mine, occasionally drifting to rest against the gentle curve of my belly. Through the window, I watched Mira and Owen riding side by side—she kept stealing glances at him, her cheeks pink despite the spring chill, while he smiled each time he caught her looking.

Nina rode alone at the rear of our small convoy, her hooded cloak pulled low. She'd barely spoken since we'd left camp this morning, though I'd tried to draw her into conversation over breakfast. The prospect of attending a Luna ceremony seemed to have unsettled her more than I'd anticipated.

"She's safe here," Regis murmured, following my gaze. "The guards know to keep watch."

I nodded, but couldn't shake the worry gnawing at me. Bringing Nina into a gathering of unfamiliar wolves felt risky, yet leaving her behind with Silas still at large felt worse.

Northridge territory exceeded my expectations. Stone buildings rose alongside carefully tended gardens, their spring colors vibrant. Wolves moved through the streets with purpose, pausing to bow their heads as our carriage passed.

When we stopped before the Alpha’s residence, a woman waited at the entrance to the main hall, flanked by a broad-shouldered Beta whose stance radiated the authority of a first lieutenant. She was striking—not beautiful in a delicate way, but commanding. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical braid, and she wore riding leathers that had clearly seen use. When she smiled, it reached her eyes.

"Welcome to Northridge!" Her voice carried authority tempered with warmth. "I'm Morgan Reid. Adrian sends his apologies—there was a breach on the eastern border, some rogue wolves testing our perimeter. He'll return before dinner." She gestured to the Beta beside her. "This is Declan, Adrian's second. He'll see to your lodgings."

Regis inclined his head. "Thank you for the hospitality. This is my mate, Eileen, and our friends Nina and Mira."

Morgan's gaze swept over us, lingering briefly on my barely-visible belly before moving to Nina's hooded figure. Something flickered in her expression—curiosity, maybe, or concern—but she didn't pry. "You must be exhausted. Declan will show you to your rooms. Dinner's at sundown in the great hall. Casual dress—we're not formal here unless it's ceremony night."

---

The suite they'd given us was larger than our quarters at the medical camp, with windows overlooking the gardens and a private bathing room. Regis immediately checked the locks and window latches—his protective instincts never quite settling, even in allied territory.

Nina's room adjoined ours, connected by a small sitting area. I knocked softly before entering to find her standing motionless by the window, staring out at nothing in particular.

"Nina?" I approached carefully. "I thought I might help you get ready for dinner. We could pick out something nice together."

She turned, and I caught the exhaustion in her eyes before she masked it. "I don't have anything suitable for a formal dinner."

"I brought an extra dress." I'd anticipated this, packing one of the simpler gowns. "Gray would look lovely with your coloring. And maybe I could help with your hair?"

For a moment I thought she'd refuse, but then she nodded. "Alright."

---

An hour later, I stepped back to admire my handiwork. Nina looked almost ethereal in the soft gray gown, her dark hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders. I'd deliberately avoided any style that might expose the burn scar on her neck.

"You look beautiful," I said honestly.

She studied her reflection with an expression I couldn't quite read. "I shouldn't have come."

"Why not?" I kept my voice gentle, settling my hands on her shoulders in what I hoped was a reassuring gesture. "You deserve to experience normal things, Nina. Tonight's just dinner with us and Alpha Cross—the other packs won't arrive until tomorrow. You can ease into it."

"I'm not normal." Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her skirt. "What if someone realizes—"

"They won't." I caught her hands, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "You're my friend. That's all anyone needs to know. And I'll be right there with you the whole time."

A knock at the door interrupted us. Regis stood in the hallway, looking devastating in formal attire. His gaze swept over me in the pale blue dress he'd chosen, and I caught the slight flare in his eyes before he controlled it.

"Beautiful," he said simply, offering me his arm. "Both of you."

We found Mira in the hallway, practically glowing in a soft pink gown. Owen hovered beside her, looking both proud and anxious.

"My parents are going to love you," he assured her for probably the tenth time.

"What if they don't?" Mira's voice pitched higher. "What if I say something stupid, or use the wrong fork, or—"

"Then they'll laugh about it later and tell embarrassing stories at our bonding ceremony," Owen said calmly. "Breathe, Mira. You're my mate. That's all that matters to them."

I caught Mira's eye and smiled. Despite my own nerves about the evening ahead, seeing her find happiness with Owen eased something in my chest. At least one of us was getting the joyful mate bond experience I'd always imagined.