Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 42

Regis

The border inspection had run late—three skirmishes, two territorial disputes, endless reports. By the time I turned the carriage toward home, dusk had already painted the academy grounds in amber and shadow. Valdor had been restless all afternoon, a low growl of unease I'd attributed to post-patrol tension until I crossed our threshold and caught the scent.

Wrong. Everything was wrong.

Her chamomile-and-apple fragrance had taken on a sour edge—fever-sweat and distress. The house felt too quiet, and when I called her name, only silence answered. I took the stairs two at a time, Valdor snarling alarm.

Her bedroom door stood ajar. She lay curled under the blankets, still wearing her shoes, face flushed and damp. The sight hit like a blow—this stubborn girl who'd promised to rest, now burning with fever while I'd been miles away dealing with territorial disputes that suddenly seemed criminally unimportant.

I pressed my hand to her forehead. Too much heat. When her eyes fluttered open, they were glassy, unfocused.

"Regis?" Her voice came out thin. "You're back."

"How long have you been like this?" I kept my tone measured despite Valdor's clawing panic. She tried to sit up, and I caught her shoulders, easing her back. "Stay still. When did this start?"

"I'm fine." The automatic response cracked something in my chest. "Just a little warm. If I sleep it off—"

"Eileen." I took her hand, felt how her fingers trembled, how her pulse fluttered too fast. "Please. No more pretending."

She looked away. "I thought I could handle it."

Why does she always push through, even when she’s hurting? I’m certain her needs have never truly been acknowledged. Was it her family who taught her to swallow pain like this? The thought made something primal in me bristle—Valdor’s growl rumbling low in my chest.

"I'm calling a healer. Don't argue." I was already reaching through the pack link for Thaddeus. "Your body is supporting two lives. A fever isn't minor. Let me take care of you."

She subsided against the pillows, looking small and exhausted. I gripped her hand, transmitting an urgent summons. *Emergency. My mate. Pregnant and feverish. Come now.*

*Twenty minutes,* came Thaddeus's calm response.

I sat on the bed's edge, not releasing her hand.

Thaddeus arrived in eighteen minutes, medical bag already in hand. The older Beta examined Eileen with professional efficiency—pulse, eyes, gentle palpation of her abdomen. I stood by the window, giving him space while Valdor prowled anxiously.

Finally, Thaddeus straightened, his weathered face grave. "Her body is consuming energy at an alarming rate—far beyond normal pregnancy demands. She's wolfless, carrying a wolf pup. The pup requires substantial lupine energy she cannot provide. Her body is compensating by drawing from her own life force."

I crossed back to the bed. "How serious?"

"We caught it early. But within a month, this becomes critical." His tone was clinical but concerned. "The fever, exhaustion, fragility—her body is sending warnings."

"What fixes this?" My voice came out rough.

Thaddeus looked between us. "In normal pregnancies, the mother's wolf provides necessary energy and bonds with the pup. Your mate lacks that mechanism. However, regular intimate bonding would allow your energy to flow directly to both her and the child. The pup would sense stable bonding between its parents, reducing the drain on her."

Understanding crashed over me. "We need to complete the bond."

"Soon." Thaddeus's expression was grave. "The longer you wait, the more dangerous this becomes. For a wolfless carrier, the Alpha's energy isn't beneficial—it's essential for survival."

Eileen had gone very still, face pale except for fever flush. I reached for her hand.

"Thank you, Thaddeus. We'll discuss it."

The healer gathered his supplies. "I'll return tomorrow with strengthening tonics. But Regis—don't wait too long. Time is a luxury she doesn't have."

---

After he left, silence settled heavy. Eileen stared at our joined hands.

"You heard him," I said quietly. "We need to talk."

She nodded but didn't speak. I sat beside her, kept holding her hand, and waited.

"I know it's necessary." Her voice was barely audible. "For the baby. For me. But I'm not ready." She finally looked up, eyes vulnerable. "We've only known each other weeks. We have the bond, you've been good to me, but I'm still scared."

"Of what?" I kept my voice gentle.

She pulled her hand free, wrapping arms around herself. "The mark won't stay. I'm wolfless—my body can't hold an Alpha's claim. If you bite me, it fades in days. Then what? You bite me again? It fades again?" Her voice tightened. "That rejection, over and over—I've read it causes Alphas pain. Eventually you'll resent me for it. You'll see proof I'm not enough—"

"Stop." The command came sharp, and I immediately softened. "Look at me. Please."

Slowly, she met my gaze.

"The mark's permanence doesn't measure your worth," I said, each word deliberate. "I chose you because you are my mate. My soul recognized yours. If the mark fades daily, I'll mark you daily. That's not rejection—that's commitment."

I brushed away the tears on her cheeks with my thumb.

"I won't force you. If you're not ready, I can wait. But for your safety, our child's safety—this isn't if, it's when. And I need you to understand something." I held her gaze. "When we take that step, I want it because you're willing. Not because you're afraid of dying. Not because you have no choice. Because you trust me enough to accept me, knowing I will never see you as less than worthy."

I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'll give you time to prove to yourself I mean this. But Eileen—that time is measured in weeks, not months. Your body won't wait longer."

She nodded shakily, and I could sense her exhaustion.

"One more thing." I softened my tone. "I've known about the kitchen work for a while. The flour dust on your sleeves was telling."

Her eyes widened, but I caught her hands.

"I was waiting for you to tell me. I understand needing independence. But starting tomorrow, you’re quitting that job. Your health comes first." I smiled slightly. "You can lean on me when you're vulnerable. And when you're strong enough to stand alone, I'll support you. That's what mates do."

Her shoulders sagged—relief, maybe, or acceptance. Something shifted in her expression, a tiny crack in her walls.

"Get some rest," I murmured, adjusting her blankets. "We'll talk more when you're feeling better."

As I moved to leave, her hand caught my wrist. "Regis?"

I turned back. "Yes?"

"I'm so glad to be your mate."

Heat surged through me, sharp and consuming. Every instinct screamed to pull her into my arms, to kiss her until she forgot the world outside this room. I swallowed hard, forcing the urge down.

"You have no idea what that means to me," I said quietly, my voice rougher than I intended. "If I stay another minute, I won’t be able to let you rest."

Even so, it took everything in me to release her hand and turn away. I lingered for a heartbeat longer than I should, then made myself step toward the door.

I closed it softly behind me. Downstairs, I headed for my study, already composing a message to Thaddeus about the strongest tonics available.