Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 33

Eileen

Five minutes later, I rushed downstairs in a simple long dress and Mira's scarf. Regis already had the insulated food container packed, and within moments we were in the family carriage—a dark, understated vehicle with the Vane silver wolf crest discreetly etched on the side.

Inside, a small table held oatmeal cooled to perfect temperature, bread cut into pieces, and herbal tea that smelled of mint and ginger.

"You made this?" I asked, surprised.

"The tea helps with nausea," he said, settling across from me, close enough that our knees nearly touched. "I researched remedies safe for early pregnancy."

*He researched. For me.* Something warm and tight settled in my chest. "You've been... so thorough."

His gaze held mine, steady and certain. He leaned forward slightly. "If you want to sleep in tomorrow, do it. I'll arrange everything."

I nodded, though a small, stubborn thought curled in my chest. I couldn’t keep making him wait for me to wake, or let him catch me in that warm, messy, just-out-of-bed state. Tonight, I’d set an alarm… even if a part of me wondered if he’d mind at all.

The tea settled my stomach immediately, and I found myself eating more than I had in days. When we reached the healing building's side entrance—the discreet one—Regis helped me down and adjusted my scarf when it slipped loose. His fingers brushed my neck, and for a heartbeat neither of us moved, the bond humming between us.

"If you feel unwell during class, contact me immediately," he said, voice rougher than usual. "Don't try to push through it."

"I understand."

He watched until I disappeared inside the building, and I couldn't help glancing back once. He was still there, waiting to make sure I was safe, even though it would make him late to his own training session.

---

I slipped into the classroom with five minutes to spare. Mira was already in our usual seats, and the moment she saw me, her eyes lit up with a knowing, mischievous gleam. She actually *winked*.

My face immediately heated. I dropped into the chair beside her, keeping my voice low. "Don't. Don't even start."

"Start what?" She drew out the words with exaggerated innocence, leaning closer. "I'm just noticing how... *refreshed* you look this morning. Very well-rested. Almost glowing, one might say."

"Mira—"

"And arriving with minutes to spare when you're usually fifteen minutes early?" She grinned wider. "Clearly someone had a *very* comfortable night's sleep. In a *very* comfortable bed. With *very* good company—"

"Nothing happened!" I hissed, covering my burning face with my hands. "I just... I slept late. Too comfortably. That's all."

"Oh, 'too comfortably.'" Mira's grin turned absolutely wicked. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

"Stop," I groaned, but I couldn't quite suppress the small smile tugging at my lips despite my mortification.

She studied me for a moment, then her teasing softened into something gentler. "But seriously, Eileen. You do look better. Your color's improved, and you don't have those shadows under your eyes anymore." She reached over to squeeze my hand. "Instructor Vane is taking good care of you."

The simple observation made my throat tight. "He is," I admitted quietly. "He really is."

"Good." Mira’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "I’m really envying you right now."

I laughed under my breath, but before we could get any further, the professor walked in, and the room settled into that pre-class hush.

But throughout the entire lecture, I kept catching Mira shooting me sidelong glances, her lips twitching with barely suppressed commentary.

I tried to focus on my notes—truly, I did—but my mind kept drifting to this morning. Regis kneeling beside my bed, his hand gentle in my hair. The careful breakfast. The way he'd looked at me in the carriage, like I was something precious. The warmth of his fingers adjusting my scarf...

"Thinking about him?" Mira had scribbled on the corner of her parchment, sliding it over.

I felt my face heat again as I wrote back: "Pay attention to class!"

She just grinned and wrote: "You're smiling at your notes. You're NEVER this distracted. It's adorable."

I tried to glare at her but couldn't quite manage it, which only made her grin wider.

---

At twelve-fifteen, my communicator vibrated gently in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced down at the softly glowing message: [I've prepared lunch in my office. Would you like to join me? No one will disturb us.]

My heart did a complicated flutter.

Mira, whose eyes were apparently sharper than a hawk's, immediately noticed my expression change. The moment class ended, she pounced. "What? What is it? Did he message you?"

I hesitated, then showed her the crystal. Her eyes went wide, then she actually *squealed*—quietly, but still—and started physically pushing me toward the door.

"Go! Go right now!"

"Mira—"

"Eileen Wylde, if you don't march yourself over to that office immediately, I will personally drag you there." She was practically vibrating with excitement. She pressed both hands to her chest dramatically. "I'm actually swooning. I can't believe you have an Alpha who does things like this."

"You're being ridiculous," I mumbled, but I was already gathering my things.

"I'm being *accurate*." She grabbed my shoulders, her expression suddenly serious beneath the excitement. "Listen to me. Most Alphas? They'd expect you to come to them, to fit into their schedule, to be grateful for scraps of attention. But Regis?" She shook her head. "He's asking. He's *preparing food specifically for you*. He's making sure you're comfortable and private and cared for." Her voice softened. "That's not ridiculous, Eileen. That's... that's really special."

My eyes stung unexpectedly. "I know," I whispered.

"Then go." She released me with a gentle push. "And don't you dare keep your Alpha waiting."

---

The combat building felt imposing as always, but when I reached Regis's office and knocked, his warm "Come in, Eileen" steadied my nerves.

He'd set up lunch by the window—roasted chicken, soft bread, vegetables, fruit water. Simple but thoughtful, everything chosen for what I could handle.

"This looks wonderful," I said, taking the seat he pulled out for me.

"I hope you're hungry." He served me with efficient care, and we began eating in comfortable quiet. Through the bond, I felt his contentment—not the intense focus from this morning, but something gentler. Satisfied, maybe, just to have me here.

After a few minutes, he set down his fork. "What time does your afternoon class end?"

"Three-thirty," I said. "It's just a practical session in the herb garden."

"And after that?" His tone was casual, but his eyes were attentive. "When should I expect you home?"

*Home.* The word still felt strange and warm all at once. I hesitated, my mind racing. I had a shift at the kitchen today—one of my regular work-study positions. But something in me resisted telling him. He'd already done so much, given me so much. If he knew I was still working multiple jobs...

He might try to stop me. Might think I didn't trust him to provide. Might see it as me not accepting his care.

And I *needed* those jobs. Needed my own silver, my own independence. Needed to not be completely dependent on anyone, even him.

"I... might go to the library for a while," I said, the half-truth tasting bitter on my tongue. "To study. Catch up on some reading."

Regis studied me for a moment, and I worried he could sense the evasion through the bond. But he simply nodded. "Alright. Just send word when you're ready, and I'll come get you."