Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Derek

‘I needed to pick something up-

“Ballshit.” She stepped closer, and there was something ugly twisting her pretty features now. “You have no reason to be anywhere near those rooms.

Unless…

I watched her piece it together, saw the moment the idea took root.

“Eileen, she breathed. “You were with her.”

“What? No-

“Don’t lie to me!” Her voice cracked like a whip, loud enough that a few passing students glanced our way. She grabbed my arm, nails digging in through my

sleeve. “That’s where she works, isn’t it? And you- Her laugh was bitter. “You went to see her.”

*Celeste, you’re being ridiculous-

“Am I?” She was almost vibrating with fury now. “Because last night, you told me you were going training with Blake. Remember? Late session, you said.

You’d be back around midnight.”

My blood went cold.

“But then I ran into Blake’s girlfriend this morning,” Celeste continued, her voice gaining a sharp edge. “And you know what she told me? Blake’s been with her EVERY EVENING this week!”

Fuck. Fuck.

“So where were you really, Derek?” She pulled me closer, her face inches from mine. “Who were you really with?!”

“I was–it wasn’t- My mind scrambled for an excuse, any excuse. I’d been with Lyra at that little tavern off campus, but I couldn’t say that. And I definitely couldn’t admit I’d just cornered Eileen in a storage room, grabbed her, threatened her-

The silence stretched too long. I saw the moment Celeste’s anger crystallized into certainty.

“You’re still obsessed with her, she whispered. After everything, you’re still sniffing around that pathetic little wolfless-

‘It’s not like that-

“Then what is it like?” she demanded. “Tell me, Right now. What were you doing in the herb rooms with her?”

I opened my mouth, Closed it. Every possible answer felt like a trap.

And her–God, that innocent act. Celeste’s laugh was harsh, almost a snarl. “Playing the victim, the poor little wolfless girl who got her heart broken. But she knew exactly what she was doing, didn’t she? Knew you’d come crawling back eventually because men like you always do.”

Maybe me. Maybe Eileen. Maybe both of us.

I couldn’t tell her the truth now. Not when she was like this. I was with Lyra last night would only make things worse–prove I was cheating, just not with who she thought. And admitting I’d cornered Eileen, grabbed her, threatened her? That would make me look even worse.

I was trapped.

“You think I’m insane?” She was already dragging me forward, toward the residential quarter, her grip bruising. I should have known better than to trust a Beta who couldn’t even be loyal when he got exactly what he wanted. And her–acting so high and mighty lately, like she’s too good for everyone now

“Celeste, please–I tried to dig my heels in, but she was too strong now, her wolf too close to the surface. Students scattered out of our path, eyes wide

“Everyone’s going to know!” Her voice rang across the quad, loud enough to echo off the buildings. Everyone’s going to see that underneath all her playing at being better, she’s still just a desperate little nobody. And you- She yanked me so hard I nearly fell. -you’re just another cheating bastard who couldn’t keep it in his pants!”

This was spiraling out of control. I’d wanted Eileen put in her place, yes, but not like this. Not with Celeste half–feral and dragging me along like a trophy. not with half the academy watching and whispering,

But I couldn’t stop her. Not without making everything worse. Not without admitting truths that would destroy me just as thoroughly as they d destroy

Eileen.

So I let her pull me forward, my heart hammering, cold sweat breaking out across my back.

I’d wanted consequences for Eileen. I just hadn’t expected to be dragged into them too.