Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 152

Chapter 152

Regis

You know Silas Crowe is Cornelius’s creature, right? Kietan asked as we walked the empty corridor afterward.

“Of course.” I kept my voice low. “But what choice did I have? Refusing would’ve proven I don’t trust Eileen to stand on her own merits.”

“Shell understand. That woman can handle more than you think.”

“I know she can handle it, I said quietly. I just hate that she has to.”

Kieran studied me for a long moment. “You’ve changed, you know. Six months ago, you would’ve calculated the political angles, weighed the strategic implications. Now you’re barely holding yourself together because your mate might face scrutiny.”

Is that a criticism?

An observation. He clapped my shoulder. “And for what it’s worth, I like you better this way. Just… remember you’re also responsible for an entire Academy

and ongoing reforms. Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.”

“Keep an eye on Crowe,” I said instead of responding. “Document everything. If he so much as speaks to her disrespectfully-

I’ll hold him down while you tear his throat out,” Kieran finished dryly. “I know the drill.”

When I finally returned to our rooms that evening, exhaustion pulled at my bones. The Council meeting, followed by hours of damage control and strategic planning, had drained me. But the moment I opened the door and caught Eileen’s scent–chamomile and apples, home and safety–some of the tension eased

from my shoulders.

She was packing in our bedroom, clothes spread across the bed in organized piles. When she looked up and smiled, radiant despite her own long day, I felt

something in my chest crack open.

*Professor Ward announced it officially today, she was saying, moving between her dresser and the bed with quick efficiency. “She told the whole class that

Nina and I would be attending the border posting, and Mira would be coming as my learning assistant. She laughed, the sound bright and untroubled. “You

should ve seen their faces. No one dared say a word after yesterday, and-

She paused, finally seeming to notice I hadn’t moved from the doorway.

‘Regis?‘ Her smile faded. “You’re not listening, are you?”

I was listening to every word, treasuring the excitement in her voice, the confidence that had grown so much in recent months. But I was also seeing her through Cornelius’s eyes, hearing again how casually he’d questioned whether she was worthy, whether I was compromised.

My silence must have worried her. She crossed to me, one hand coming up to cup my jaw. What happened?”

There was no hiding from her, not anymore. I guided her to sit on the bed’s edge, then knelt before her so we were at eye level.

The Council agreed to punish Derek and Celeste,” I said, keeping my voice level. But there’s a condition.”

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1:08 pm P WMM.

Chapter 152

Her hand found mine instinctively. “What kind of condition?

“They’re sending an observer with you to the border. The words tasted like ash. To assess your performance during the posting.

I watched her face carefully–the brief flash of hurt, quickly covered by understanding. She was too perceptive not to grasp the implications.

“They want me to prove I’m worthy of being your Luna,” she said quietly.

“It’s not about worthiness-

“It’s exactly about that.” She squeezed my hand. “They think you’re protecting me because of the mate bond, not because I actually earned my place.” A pause. “And they’re right, aren’t they? You did protect me. You stood in that quad and claimed me in front of everyone.”

“I would do it again, 1 said fiercely. A thousand times.”

“I know.” Her free hand came up to cradle my cheek, thumb brushing along my jaw. “And I’m grateful. But I also understand what you’re trying to tell me.” She took a shaky breath. “If I refuse the observer, they’ll say you’re hiding me because I can’t meet expectations. If I go and struggle, they’ll use it as evidence I don’t belong in this position.”

“Eileen-

“But if I go and do well…” Her voice strengthened. “Then they have to shut up and accept that I earned this. That you didn’t make a mistake choosing me.”

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