Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 140

‘Derek. I kept my voice level, fighting to keep my hands from shaking. “I need to get back to class.”

“In a minute. He pushed off the door, taking a step closer. “I think we need to talk first. About your big… secret.”

The world tilted.

Secret. The word echoed in my skull, drowning out everything else. My mind went blank, then exploded into panicked fragments. He knows. He knows about

the baby, or Regis? How could he possibly-

But no. No, that was impossible. We’d been so careful. The scent–masking salve, the scarf hiding the mark, never touching in public where anyone could see.

He couldn’t know. He couldn’t.

Unless someone saw us. Unless he followed me home. Unless-

Calm down. I forced myself to breathe, forced my face into something neutral even as my heart tried to batter its way out of my chest. Don’t give him

anything. Maybe he’s fishing. Maybe he suspects but doesn’t actually know.

I don’t know what you mean. The words came out steadier than I felt, though my grip on the jar tightened until my knuckles went white.

“Don’t you?” He took another step closer, and I fought the urge to back away. That would show weakness. That would confirm I had something to hide.

*Come on, Eileen. We both know you’ve been… different lately.”

Different. Vague. Non–specific. He was fishing.

‘I don’t have time for games, Derek.”

“Not a game. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Just curious about how a girl who could barely afford her own textbooks suddenly seems so… comfortable. New clothes. That pretty scarf you’re always wearing now.” His gaze lingered on my throat, and my hand flew up reflexively to check that the silk was still in

place. “Makes a person wonder.”

“You’re disgusting.” I said, and my voice didn’t shake.

His expression darkened. “Careful.

“No.” The anger was building now, drowning out caution. I was done cowering. Done letting people like him make me feel worthless. “You think everyone operates like you? Running from one girl to another, collecting admirers like trophies? You think your attention means something? It doesn’t. You don’t mean anything.”

I watched the words land, watched his face twist into something ugly. His hand shot out, fingers closing around my wrist hard enough to bruise.

“You little-

Instinct took over. My free hand flew to my abdomen. The movement was unconscious, automatic, and Derek’s eyes flickered down to track it.

For a heartbeat, I thought he’d seen. Understood.

But then he was hauling me forward, and panic whited out everything else.