Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 145

Eileen

The morning sun had barely crested the mountains when we gathered in Northridge's courtyard to say our farewells. Owen stood close to Mira, their hands intertwined, both wearing expressions of poorly concealed misery.

"I should be going with you," Owen said for the third time, his voice rough. "You're my mate. I'm supposed to—"

"You have duties here," Mira interrupted, though her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Adrian needs you. Your pack needs you."

I watched them from where I stood beside Regis, my chest tight with sympathy. The mate bond was still so new for them, barely a day old, and already they were being forced apart. It seemed unbearably cruel.

Regis's hand found the small of my back, steady and grounding. I leaned into him slightly, grateful that at least we wouldn't be separated. Not now. Not with everything that lay ahead.

Nina stood a little apart from our group, her travel cloak wrapped tightly around her thin frame. She looked fragile in the early light, but there was something different about her eyes—a clarity that hadn't been there before. The haunted, desperate look had faded, replaced by a quiet exhaustion that seemed almost peaceful.

Adrian emerged from the packhouse with Morgan at his side. The new Luna moved with easy confidence, already comfortable in her role. When she caught my eye, she offered a small, genuine smile that I returned.

"Before you go," Adrian said, his commanding voice drawing everyone's attention. He looked at Owen, then at Mira, his expression thoughtful. "I've been considering the situation at the eastern border. Regis, you mentioned you could use additional support?"

Regis straightened slightly beside me. "Always. The tensions with the shadow packs haven't lessened, and with Silas still unaccounted for..." He trailed off meaningfully.

"Then I'm reassigning Owen to temporary duty under your command," Adrian announced. His lips quirked at Owen's sharp intake of breath. "You've proven yourself reliable, and frankly, I'd rather have you where you can be useful instead of here mooning over your mate and driving my other warriors to distraction."

The effect was immediate. Mira's face lit up like the sun breaking through storm clouds, and Owen looked as though he'd been given the greatest gift imaginable.

"Alpha," Owen managed, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what to say—"

"'Thank you' would be a start," Adrian said dryly, but his eyes were warm. "You'll report to Regis and follow his orders as you would mine. Consider it an opportunity to learn from one of the finest strategists I know." He glanced at Regis with obvious respect.

"I won't let you down," Owen promised fervently.

Mira practically threw herself at Adrian in an impulsive hug, shocking both him and Morgan. "Thank you, thank you, thank you—"

"Alright, alright," Adrian said, though he was clearly trying not to smile as he carefully extracted himself. "You're crushing my new ceremonial tunic."

Morgan laughed, the sound bright and genuine. She stepped forward to clasp Mira's hand. "Take care of each other," she said simply. Then her gaze shifted to Nina, who had been watching the exchange with a small, wistful smile. "And you, Nina. I meant what I said last night. You deserve happiness."

Nina's throat worked. "Thank you, Luna," she said quietly. "I wish you and Adrian every joy."

There was a moment of understanding between the two women, a acknowledgment of the impossible situation they'd navigated with more grace than I could have imagined. Then Morgan stepped back, her hand finding Adrian's.

"Safe travels," Adrian said to our group. "And Regis—keep me informed. If the shadow packs are moving, I want to know about it."

"You'll be the first I tell," Regis promised.

---

The journey back to the medical outpost took most of the day. Our carriage rolled steadily along the forest roads while several of Adrian's warriors rode escort alongside.

I sat beside Regis, watching the landscape pass. Across from us, Mira and Owen couldn't seem to stop touching—hands clasped, shoulders pressed together, soft murmurs exchanged. It was sweet, really. A reminder of what the mate bond could be when it wasn't complicated by duty or impossible choices.

Nina had insisted on riding in the second carriage with some of the supplies, claiming she needed space to think. I'd wanted to protest, to insist she stay with us, but Regis had squeezed my hand gently and shaken his head.

*She needs time alone,* his eyes had said. *Let her process.*

"You're worried about her," Regis observed now, his voice low enough not to disturb Mira and Owen's quiet conversation.

"Of course I am." I kept my own voice equally soft. "She's been through so much. And we're taking her right back to where Silas—" I couldn't finish the sentence.

"She's stronger than you think," Regis said. "What she did yesterday, facing Adrian's wolf, accepting the bond's dissolution with that much grace... that takes real strength." His hand covered mine on my lap. "And she'll have us. All of us. She won't face anything alone."

I nodded, trying to let his certainty comfort me. My other hand drifted to my belly, where our child rested safe and growing. The little one had been quiet today, as if sensing my unease.

*It's alright,* I thought toward the tiny life inside me. *We're going home.*

---

We arrived at the medical outpost as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. The familiar buildings looked warm and welcoming in the golden light, and I felt something in my chest ease at the sight. This place had become home in a way I hadn't expected—not because of the buildings themselves, but because of the people here. The work we did. The lives we saved.

The medical staff came out to greet us, their faces lighting up when they saw our party. Several of them immediately began fussing over Nina, clearly having missed her presence, and I saw her startle at the genuine affection before cautiously accepting it.

"Welcome back," one of the senior healers said warmly to me. "We've been managing well enough, but we'll be glad to have you here again."

I smiled and thanked him.

Mira and Owen were shown to their quarters—a modest but private two-room suite that happened to be just down the hall from the room Mira and Nina had been sharing. When the attendant explained this with a knowing smile, Mira flushed bright red while Owen just grinned.

"At least we'll be close by if you need us," Mira said to me, still blushing. "For, um, medical emergencies."

"Of course," I said solemnly, though my lips twitched. "Medical emergencies. Very important."

Nina chose to keep her original small room rather than move elsewhere. "I'm used to it," she said simply when I questioned whether she wanted more space. "And I like being near the herb stores. The smell is... comforting."

I understood. Sometimes the familiar was more important than the luxurious.

---

As evening settled over the compound, Regis called a meeting in his office. Kieran was already there when we arrived, along with Garrick, the grizzled Beta who'd been overseeing the training camp in Regis's absence.

"Report," Regis said without preamble once we were all seated.

Kieran leaned forward, his expression serious but not alarmed. "The outpost has been quiet. No new infection cases since you left. The treatment protocol you and Consultant Wylde established is holding—the warriors know what to watch for now, and they're not hesitating to report potential symptoms."

That was good news, at least.

"And Silas?" Regis asked, his voice hardening on the name.