Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 52

Eileen

We stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms, the bond humming contentedly between us. Regis's hand traced slow, soothing circles on my back, and I felt the last of the tension drain from his body.

"We should go home," he murmured against my hair, his voice still rough with emotion. "I've already arranged everything—your afternoon classes are excused, and I want you somewhere safe where you can properly rest."

I nodded against his chest, not quite ready to let go but knowing he was right. My body still felt wrung out, trembling slightly from the aftermath of everything that had happened.

That's when my communicator buzzed insistently against my hip. I pulled back just enough to fish it out, and my eyes widened at the screen. Several messages from Mira, each more frantic than the last.

[Eileen, are you okay?! Is it Instructor Vane who just requested you be excused from afternoon classes?]

[The whole academy is talking about Thomas Blackwell being removed from the Council!!]

[What happened? Are you hurt? Should I come find you?]

My throat tightened. I glanced up at Regis, who was crouched beside me helping with my shoes, his movements careful and precise despite the tremor still running through his hands. He felt my gaze and looked up, concern immediate in those ice-blue eyes.

"What's wrong?"

I showed him the screen. He read quickly, then his expression softened. "She cares about you."

"I should tell her I'm alright." I typed out a reply, my fingers clumsy on the keys. [I'm fine, Mira. Regis is with me. I'm safe. I'll explain everything later—I just need to rest now.]

I paused before sending it, reading the words over. Something shifted in my chest. This was the first time I'd ever said something like this—admitting I had someone, that I wasn't handling everything alone. Usually I'd brush off concern with "I can manage" or "don't worry about me."

But that wasn't true anymore, was it?

I hit send. Regis squeezed my hand gently. "You can always say that," he murmured. "Because it's the truth. You're not alone anymore."

The bond pulsed warm between us, carrying his absolute certainty. I believed him.

---

The carriage ride back felt different than this morning's journey. Regis kept one arm around me, steady and grounding, while I leaned into his shoulder and tried to process everything that had just happened. Through the bond I could feel the lingering edge of his tension, the way Valdor still prowled restlessly beneath his skin—protective, watchful, ready to tear apart anyone who threatened me.

But beneath that wildness was something gentler. A deep, aching tenderness that made my eyes sting.

*He almost killed someone for me.*

The thought should have terrified me. Instead, I felt... safe. Cherished. Like I finally mattered enough for someone to stand between me and the world.

"You're quiet," Regis said softly, his thumb tracing small circles on my shoulder. "What are you thinking?"

I tilted my head to look at him. "That I've never had anyone fight for me like you did today."

His jaw tightened, and through the bond I felt a flash of something fierce and possessive. "You will always have me," he said, his voice low and rough. "Always, Eileen. I swear it."

The carriage rolled to a stop outside our house—*our* house, I reminded myself, still getting used to the concept. Regis helped me down, his hand steady at my waist, and I caught the way his nostrils flared slightly as he scented the air around us. Checking for threats even here.

"Come," he said gently. "You need proper rest and food."

---

Inside, the familiar warmth of the house wrapped around me like a blanket. Regis guided me to the sofa and disappeared into the kitchen, and I heard the clatter of pots and the rush of water. Despite everything, a small smile tugged at my lips. He'd nearly lost control and killed a man less than an hour ago, and now he was making me lunch.

*My Alpha,* I thought, and felt the bond hum in response.

When he returned with a tray of soup and fresh bread, I realized how hungry I actually was. The nausea from earlier had faded, replaced by a gnawing emptiness in my stomach. Regis sat across from me, watching as I ate, occasionally reaching over to wipe a drop of broth from my chin.

"Better?" he asked after I'd finished most of the bowl.

I nodded. "Much better. Thank you."

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he set down his own untouched cup and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Eileen, about what we discussed before. Completing the bond."

My heart jumped into my throat. I set down my spoon carefully, suddenly very aware of how close he was, how his scent wrapped around me like silk.

"I know Thaddeus said it needs to happen soon," Regis continued, his voice carefully measured. "For your health and the baby's. But I don't want you to feel pressured. If you're not ready—if you need more time—I can wait."

I stared at him. "But the baby..."

"I know." His hands flexed, then relaxed. "But what matters most to me is that you *want* this. Not because a healer said it's necessary. Not because you feel obligated. I need to know that when we complete the bond, it's because you chose me. Not the circumstances."

The bond thrummed with his sincerity, his desperate need for me to understand. And suddenly I did.

He was giving me the choice. Real choice, not the illusion of it.

My throat felt tight. "What if... what if I already want to?"

His breath caught. Through the bond I felt hope flare bright and hot, quickly tempered by caution. "Then I would be honored beyond words," he said hoarsely. "But I need to hear you say it clearly, Eileen. When you're ready. Not now, not when you're still recovering from this morning."

I looked down at my hands, twisting them in my lap. He was right—I was exhausted, emotionally wrung out, still shaky from everything that had happened. But beneath that exhaustion was something else. Something warm and certain.

"Alright," I whispered. "But... soon?"

"Whenever you're ready." He reached across and covered my hands with his, stilling their nervous movements. "I'll wait as long as you need."