Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 14

The mate. Valdor’s desperate joy made my own heart stutter in my chest. Her eyes were the warm brown of honey in sunlight, wide with fear and uncertainty. And beneath the masking herbs, beneath the layers of protective scent dampening, I caught the full force of her scent for a breath—sun-warmed meadow, like home.

“Eileen, Instructor.” Her voice was thin, strained, and she dropped her gaze immediately after speaking.

Finally, I had a name for the girl who’d haunted my thoughts for days, who’d saved my life and then disappeared like morning mist.

“Thank you, Miss Wylde. You may sit.”

She practically collapsed back onto the bench, and I had to force myself to continue the lesson, to act like my entire world hadn’t just shifted on its axis. Valdor was crooning in my mind, repeating her name like a prayer—Eileen, our Eileen, our mate—while I struggled to remember what point I’d been making about defensive positioning.

The rest of the class passed in a blur. I went through the motions, demonstrated basic evasion techniques, corrected stances and answered questions. But my awareness never left her.

When I finally dismissed the class, I watched her flee—there was no other word for it—with Mira at her side, practically running toward the dormitories.

“We have to go after her!” Valdor was frantic now. “She’s leaving! She’s running from us again!”

“No.” I forced myself to stay rooted in place, to let her go even though every instinct screamed otherwise. “We can’t chase her down like prey. She needs space. Time. We need to be smart about this.”

Valdor howled in protest, but I’d already begun formulating a plan. Going to her directly would only frighten her more. Calling her to my office would raise questions, create gossip that would make everything worse. But there was another way—a legitimate, professional reason to request her presence that wouldn’t draw unwanted attention.

I reached out through the mind-link, focusing on the bright, bold presence I’d identified as Mira Thornwood.

Miss Thornwood. This is Instructor Vane.

There was a startled pause, then a cautious response. Instructor? Is something wrong?

I reviewed the student records and noticed that Miss Wylde has not yet manifested her wolf form. I kept my mental voice calm, professional. Academy policy requires all wolfless students to be issued emergency communication devices for situations where mind-link isn’t available. Please inform her that she needs to come to my office this afternoon to receive the equipment and training on its use.

Another pause, longer this time. Why not tell her yourself, face-to-face?

A fair question. I’d prepared for it.

I observed that you two are close friends. Delivering this information through a peer will make her more comfortable. Wolfless students often face discrimination at this academy—I don’t want her to feel singled out or shamed by official summons.

I felt her surprise, then something that might have been approval. I understand, Instructor. It’s so nice of you. I’ll tell her.

Give her space to speak, I corrected firmly. Give her space to speak and make her own choices.

The relief was immediate, but I forced the words out. Then we accept it—but not without trying everything we can first.

Because that was what being her mate truly meant—not claiming her, not marking her, but ensuring her happiness and safety above all else. Even if that meant letting her go.

“He used mind-link on me!” Mira hissed the moment we were far enough from the training grounds. Her hand was pressed to her temple like she was still processing the intrusion. “Vane. The instructor. He just… reached into my head!”

My heart stopped. “What did he say?”

We’d made it halfway back to the dormitories before she’d grabbed my arm and pulled me to a halt, her expression caught somewhere between confused and impressed. Now she was staring at me with that particular look she got when trying to solve a puzzle.