Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

I sat beside her and pulled her against me. She came without resistance, tucking her face into my shoulder.

Through the bond, I could feel the shock radiating from her–muted, distant, like she was watching herself from very far away.

“Eileen,” I said gently. “The baby. How is-

“He’s okay. Her voice was small but steady. She pressed one hand to her stomach. “I can feel it now. It’s calm again.

Relief crashed through me so hard I had to close my eyes. “Good. That’s good.”

She was quiet for a moment. Then: “I didn’t want to cause trouble. Not before we left for the border. Now everyone knows, and there’s going to be talk, and people will-

“This isn’t trouble,” 1 interrupted firmly. I tilted her chin up so she had to look at me. “You stepped forward to protect our child. That took courage. You’re a wonderful mother already, Eileen.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice catching slightly. “For telling me that.”

I brushed my thumb across her cheek. “I’ll keep saying it, as many times as you need.”

She pressed closer, her face tucking into the curve of my neck. I wrapped my arms around her and just held her as the carriage swayed beneath us.

For a long moment, there was only the sound of wheels on cobblestone and her quiet breathing against my collar. Through the bond, I felt the sharp edges of her fear gradually softening–not disappearing, but easing into something she could carry.

Her hand moved to rest on her belly. “He’s calmer now, she murmured. ‘I can feel the baby settling.”

“Good.” I pressed a kiss to her hair. “That’s good.”

She was quiet for another moment, then stirred slightly, pulling back just enough to look at me. “Where are we going?

‘Home,‘ I said.

“But…” Confusion crossed her face. ‘We were supposed to go into town today. For supplies. The order trip.”

‘We can do that another day,‘ I said gently. After you’ve had time to rest.”

“No.” She shook her head, something sharpening in her expression. I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to let them firmly. “We made a plan. I don’t want them to ruin it. I don’t want to give them that power.

She stopped, then started again more

I studied her carefully. The fear was still there in her eyes, but something else was rising alongside it a quiet, stubborn determination.

“What happened today,” she continued, her hand moving instinctively to her belly, it just makes me more sure. I need to get stronger. Faster. I need to be ready. She looked up at me. “For our pup. For myself.”

Through the bond, I felt it–not false bravado or forced courage, but genuine resolve. She was choosing this. Actively deciding not to let fear win.

Something warm expanded in my chest.

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2:22 pm

Chapter 147

“You’re sure?‘ I asked quietly.

She nodded. ‘I’m sure.”

I reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You continue to surprise me, you know that?‘

A faint, tired smile touched her lips. “In a good way?”

“In the best way.” I cupped her face gently. “Most people would need days to recover from what just happened. But here you are, already standing back up. Already choosing to move forward. My thumb traced her cheekbone. “You’re stronger than you think, Eileen.

“I don’t feel strong, she admitted softly.

“That’s what makes it real strength,” I said. “Being afraid and doing it anyway.”

She leaned into my touch, eyes closing briefly. When she opened them again, there was something steadier there–not the absence of fear, but the presence

of will.

“Then let’s go,” she said. “Together.”

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Together.”

I leaned forward and tapped on the carriage wall. “Change of plans. Take us to the market district.”

As the carriage altered course, Eileen settled back against me. I could still feel her exhaustion, the lingering tremors of shock–but beneath it all was that fierce, bright thread of determination.

My mate was learning to stand. And Moon help anyone who tried to knock her down again.

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