Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 30

Eileen

Leaving Regis's office felt like stepping out of a dream into harsher light. My feet carried me automatically toward the dormitory while my mind kept circling back to the warmth of his hand on my hair, the quiet promise in his voice: *I'm going to take care of you. Both of you.*

The thought made my chest tight. Tonight. I was actually moving in with him tonight.

When Kieran had mentioned seeing me at combat matches, I'd wanted to disappear into the floor. All those times I'd sat in the back rows, heart racing whenever Derek glanced my way, treasuring every accidental look like it meant something. Kieran had been there too, probably watching me make a fool of myself.

*Please don't let Regis know how pathetic I used to be,* I thought, heat flooding my face. *Don't let him see that version of me who thought being ignored was better than being alone.*

But this was different, wasn't it? Regis hadn't asked me to worship him from afar. He'd offered partnership, responsibility. Choice.

I pushed open the dormitory door. Mira looked up from her desk, textbook suspiciously upside down.

"So?" She abandoned all pretense. "How did it go?"

"His Beta Kieran was... kind. Really kind, actually." I took a breath. "And Regis asked me to move in with him. Tonight."

Mira's eyes went wide. Two heartbeats of silence, then: "TONIGHT? You mean right now tonight?" She bounced up. "Oh my goddess, you're actually doing this! Yesterday you were trying to figure out how to tell him, and now you're moving in together?"

"It's not like that. He just wants me somewhere safer—"

"Uh-huh." Mira's grin was knowing. "And having you under his roof, surrounded by his scent, has nothing to do with it?"

My face burned. The thought of being immersed in Regis's cedar and mint scent, of sleeping in a space marked by his presence, made something low in my belly flutter. "He said I'd have my own room."

"Of course he did. He's being respectful." She pulled my travel pack from under the bed. "Doesn't mean he doesn't want you, though. Come on, let's get you packed properly."

---

Packing went faster than expected, mainly because I owned so little. My clothes fit in the backpack with room to spare—worn tunics, plain leggings, the academy uniform pieces. My herbs and study materials filled a small trunk.

"Is this really everything?" Mira stared at my meager possessions. "Eileen, you've been here for a year."

"I don't need much." The defensive words came automatically. I'd learned young not to accumulate things that could be taken away.

Mira's jaw tightened. Instead of arguing, she grabbed one of her thick sweaters and shoved it into my pack. "You're taking this. Don't argue—it's getting cold, and you need to stay warm."

"Mira—"

"And these." She added wool socks and a small carved moonstone from her desk. "For luck."

My throat closed. "I can't take that."

"You can and you will." Her eyes were bright. "Look, I know this is scary. But you need to be comfortable and have nice things. Promise me you'll let him take care of you. And if he doesn't, you tell me immediately so I can go full mama bear on his fancy Alpha ass."

I laughed despite everything. "I promise."

She pulled me into a fierce hug. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too. But I'll see you in class. And you can visit, right?"

"Oh, I'm definitely visiting. I need to inspect this house and make sure it's good enough." She pulled back with a watery grin. "Now come on, we need to get you downstairs before your Alpha sends a search party."

---

We emerged into the courtyard as a sleek black carriage pulled up—polished wood, brass fittings gleaming in the fading light, two magnificent horses with silver-trimmed harnesses. An older Beta in neat livery stood beside it.

Mira's eyes widened. "Is that—"

"I think so." My heart hammered.

The carriage door opened. Regis stepped out in a dark gray coat over a white shirt, collar open at the throat in a way that made my mouth go dry. Without the formal instructor's uniform, he looked different—more dangerous, more purely Alpha.

"Goddess save me," Mira muttered. "No wonder you agreed to have his baby."

"*Mira*—"

But Regis was already crossing toward us. The bond hummed to life, and my body responded before my mind could catch up—pulse quickening, skin warming, that strange ache settling low in my belly. Even from a distance, I caught his scent on the evening breeze.

"Good evening." He nodded to Mira before his gaze returned to me. "Are you ready?"

"I... yes." My own voice came out breathier than intended.

He took my backpack, then gently relieved Mira of the trunk as if it weighed nothing, muscles flexing visibly beneath his shirt. I found myself staring at his forearms where he'd rolled up his sleeves, at the strong, capable hands that had touched my hair so gently just an hour ago. "You must be Mira. Eileen speaks highly of you. Thank you for taking care of her."

Mira, who'd been making inappropriate comments moments ago, suddenly looked like she'd swallowed her tongue. "I—um—you're welcome. Sir. I mean, Instructor—"

"Regis is fine." His smile was kind. "You're welcome to visit whenever you like."

"Yes. Right. Thank you. Regis. Sir." Mira's face was bright red, her eyes fixed on the ground.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. So much for going full mama bear.

Regis glanced at me, the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes, before turning back to Mira. "I appreciate you being such a good friend to her."

"Always," Mira managed. "She's the best person I know."

Something in his expression shifted, became more genuine. "I'm beginning to understand that."

Mira grabbed me for one last hug. "Remember what I said. You deserve good things. And message me after you get settled."

I laughed. "I will."

Regis was waiting by the open carriage door, hand extended. When I placed my palm in his, the contact sent a jolt through me—warmth spreading up my arm, the bond singing with pleasure at this simple touch. His fingers closed around mine, careful but firm, and I felt his thumb brush once across my knuckles in a gesture that seemed almost unconscious.

He helped me up, his other hand settling at the small of my back, and I was suddenly, intensely aware of how close we were, how his scent wrapped around me like a physical thing. My body wanted to lean into him, to press closer, and I had to force myself to climb into the carriage with some semblance of dignity.