Mated to Her Alpha Instructor Chapter 96

Eileen

Once I met Mira in the usual spot she would wait for me, I told her the news.

"He said yes," I'd whispered, unable to keep joy from my voice. "Regis agreed about the Eastern Border."

Her eyes had gone wide. "Really? Even with the baby?"

"He's arranging for his combat training class to be stationed nearby." The words still felt surreal. "So we can stay together."

"Oh, so the big bad Alpha’s just going to drop everything and follow you?" Mira gasped, clutching her chest in mock swoon. "That’s disgustingly romantic."

Then she seemed to realize something, her face crumpling into an exaggerated pout. "Well, aren't you lucky," she said, grabbing my arm. "Here I was thinking we'd be frontier buddies, and now you've got your Alpha moving heaven and earth to follow you." She leaned her head dramatically against my shoulder. "I'm going to be so lonely. You'll be too busy being madly in love to even notice poor Mira."

"That's not true," I protested, laughing despite myself.

"Promise me." She squeezed my arm tighter. "Promise you won't forget about me just because you have a devastatingly handsome mate watching your every move."

"I promise," I said, warmth flooding my chest. "You're stuck with me, remember? We're in this together."

"Damn right we are." She'd grinned then, genuine happiness breaking through the theatrics. "Though I'm not going to lie, knowing Alpha Vane will be nearby makes me feel a lot better about this whole thing."

Classes passed in a blur of distraction. I kept catching myself touching my stomach, trying to feel that flutter of connection again. It was still there, faint but persistent—a golden thread tethering me to the tiny life within.

After classes, Mira chattered about her excitement for the border assignment and reminded me to pack enough supplies. My mind drifted again.

"Earth to Eileen," Mira whispered, elbowing me gently.

I blinked, straightening. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry, just tell me what's got you so spacey." She studied my face, then her eyes widened slightly. "You look different today. Good different." Her gaze dropped to where my hand rested on my stomach, and she leaned closer. "Okay, spill."

Heat crept up my neck. "Nothing happened."

"Liar." Her grin turned wicked. "You've got that look. That 'my mate thoroughly ravished me last night' look." She paused, taking in my expression more carefully, and her teasing softened into something gentler. "But it's more than that, isn't it? You seem... I don't know. Peaceful?"

I bit my lip, glancing around before whispering, "I can feel the baby now. Really feel it. Not just physically, but... it's like there's a connection. Like the baby knows I'm here."

"Oh, Eileen." Mira's hand found mine under the desk. "That's wonderful. When did it start?"

"Last night." My voice dropped even lower. "I thought it was supposed to come later, but Professor Thorne is going to explain it tonight. Regis arranged dinner with him so I can ask questions."

"With the department head?" Mira squeezed my hand. "Look at you, getting all the VIP treatment."

"It's not like that," I protested weakly.

"Sure it's not." But she was grinning, genuinely happy for me. "Just don't forget us little people when you're off being important."

"Never," I promised, squeezing her hand.

---

After classes, Regis met me at the main entrance as promised. He'd changed out of his training leathers into a formal dark coat and pressed shirt, looking every inch the Alpha heir he was. My heart did that stupid fluttery thing it always did when I first saw him after hours apart.

"Ready?" he asked, offering his arm.

"Nervous," I admitted, but I took his arm anyway, letting him guide me to the waiting carriage.

The ride to the restaurant was short but felt interminable. I kept smoothing down my dress—one of the new ones I bought for my pregnancy, soft wool in deep forest green that concealed my growing belly while still looking elegant. Regis must have felt my anxiety spiraling through the bond because he caught my hand mid-fidget and brought it to his lips.

"Aldric is kind," he said firmly. "He's not going to judge you or interrogate you. He genuinely wants to help, and more importantly, he wants to acknowledge how valuable your work has been. You saved lives, Eileen. He knows that."

"What if I say something stupid?"

"You won't." Regis's certainty was absolute, reinforced through our bond. "And even if you stumble over a word or two, it doesn't matter. You're brilliant, love. Trust yourself the way I trust you."

Good. I'd trust him—and myself.

The restaurant was intimate and elegant, the kind of place where serious conversations happened over excellent food. Aldric Thorne was already seated in a private alcove when we arrived—a distinguished Beta man in his mid-fifties, with silver threading through his dark hair and the kind eyes of someone who'd spent decades healing hurts both physical and emotional.

He stood immediately when he saw us, his face breaking into a warm smile. "Eileen. I'm so glad you could join me."

The way he said my name—like I was a colleague rather than a struggling student—caught me off guard. I managed a slightly squeaky, "Thank you for inviting me, Professor."

"Aldric, please." He gestured for us to sit. "And truly, the pleasure is mine. Regis speaks very highly of you. I've been wanting to meet the young healer brave enough to save her Alpha."

My cheeks warmed, and I glanced at Regis. "I was lucky," I said softly. "Lucky to have been guided to him when he needed me most."

"Modest, too." Aldric exchanged an amused glance with Regis. "I can see why you speak of her so proudly."

Only then did he lean forward, curiosity bright in his eyes. "And Ms. Ward tells me you also have a talent for research—something about ancient texts?"

I smiled, relaxing a little. "That was thanks to Nina Grey. She pointed me toward the right resources."

"I also heard about your proposal," Aldric said, glancing between us. "Ms. Ward and I discussed it, and we’ve agreed—Nina will be allowed to join the practicum project."

"That’s wonderful, thank you," I replied, meaning it. Nina could be prickly on her best days, but I was genuinely glad when people who deserved a chance actually got one.

Regis's hand found mine under the table, his thumb stroking over my knuckles in that soothing pattern he'd perfected. Through the bond, I felt his quiet pride mixed with amusement at my discomfort with praise.