Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 10

More stone there in a stunning silver dress that brought out the amber in her eyes, her dark hair swept up in an intricate braid She Inoked like she belonged

The Mem Pare, lite she was made for moonlight and music and joy.

I must have toked something the cat dragged in.

Her eyes narrowed the moment she saw me. “What’s wrong with you?”

Nething I told you, I’m just-

“You’re wearing a scarf. She pushed past me into the room, circling me like a predator. ‘In the middle of summer. And you smell… weird.”

My heart stopped. “Weird how?”

“I don’t know. Like you dumped a whole bottle of that fancy herb stuff you’re always making.” She wrinkled her nose. “Did you try some new perfume or something?

“… yes. The lie came easier than I expected. “I wanted to try something different. You know. Change things up.”

“Because of Derek. It wasn’t a question. Mira’s expression shifted from suspicious to furious in half a heartbeat. “That absolute bastard. I heard what happened at the arena. Blake was bragging about it in the dining hall.”

Of course he was. My humiliation was probably the highlight of his week. And it wasn’t a surprise for Mira to know about it.

“I heard more at the dance prep too,” Mira continued, her voice rising. “A fucking bet about how long Derek could string you along. And that bitch Celeste knew about it the whole time. They were all laughing about it.”

Each word was a knife, even though I already knew. Hearing it confirmed, hearing that it had spread beyond that small circle of cruelty, made it real in a way that hurt worse than the initial betrayal.

“I know,” I said quietly.

“You–Mira stopped, really looking at me for the first time, Her anger softened into something gentler, sadder. “Oh, Eileen.”

She pulled me into a hug, and I let her, careful to keep my neck turned away so she wouldn’t feel the mark through the scarf. She smelled like cinnamon and warmth, familiar and safe, and for a moment I wanted to tell her everything–about the forest, about the Alpha, about the mark burning against my skin and The way I couldn’t stop thinking about ice–blue eyes in the darkness.

But I couldn’t. Because Mira would try to help, would try to fix it, and there was no fixing this. There was only hiding it and hoping that whoever he was, bed forget. That the bond id felt wasn’t real, or wasn’t strong enough to matter, or would fade with time like a bad dream.

“You’re better than all of them, Mira said fiercely, pulling back to grip my shoulders. “You know that, right? Derek Ashford is a mediocre Beta with a pretty face and an ego the size of the moon. He doesn’t deserve you. He never did

I know,” I said again, and this time I almost meant it.

“Good.” She squeezed my shoulders once more, then stepped back. “So here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to take that weird scarf off, put on

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Chants 10

wing he was a bet kentiful and into the danis with me we ping to have an emering time, and we’re going to compteraly ignore fierek

Sad to ch

Misally the thi

The Uhr interrupted, he exposition softening if you really can’t handle it. that okay to You can stay here Best. Take care of yourself the glanced at the pain itong uncertain Bickering across bus fare. But the cart thing to weird, Fileen Life, really weird Are you sure you’re okay?

To The 1 bed Test I wanted to Try womething new. You said it yourself–change things up

The Aude book cominced, but she nodded slowly okay. If you say so. A pause. But if you need me if anything happens, your message me immediately. Got

She gave me one last searching look, then headed for the door. I’m serious about the dance, though. You shouldn’t let them win But I get it if you need spars the paused in the doorway. Your mate is out there somewhere, you know. Whoever they are, they’re going to be so much better than Derek Ashford. They’re going to see you for who you really are and love every part of you.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. Your mate is out there somewhere.

If only she knew.

Thanks, Mira, I managed. Have fun tonight.”

7 try But it won’t be the same without you.’ She flashed me a grin that didn’t quite reach her eyes, then disappeared down the hallway.

The moment the door closed, 1 sagged against it, my carefully maintained composure crumbling. My hand found the mark again, that traitorous warmth that pulsed in time with my heartbeat.

Your mate is out there somewhere.

But what kind of mate would want someone like me? A wolfless nobody who couldn’t even shift, who’d been used as a punchline, by the boy shed thought was kind, whod given herself to a stranger in a forest clearing like something out of a cautionary tale?

And even if the bond was real, even if what I’d felt in that moment when our eyes met had been genuine… he was an Alpha. Powerful enough to survive shadow puison, to heal from wounds that should have killed him, to mark me with a bite that still burned hours later.

What would an Alpha like that want with me?

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Chapter 11

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