Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153

Through our bond, I felt her fear and determination in equal measure. She understood the trap perfectly, understood that there was no safe path forward- only the choice to meet the challenge head–on or let them win by default.

I’m supposed to protect you,” I said, my voice rough. “That’s my role, my responsibility. And instead, I’m-*

“You’re teaching me to protect myself. She leaned forward until our foreheads touched. “You’re showing me I’m strong enough to face this. That’s worth more than any shield you could put between me and the world.”

I closed my eyes, breathing in her scent, letting it anchor me. “I don’t want you to have to prove anything to them.”

“Neither do I. A soft laugh. “But you told me something once, remember? In your father’s study, when I asked if you thought I could handle the border posting.” Her fingers threaded through my hair. “You said, ‘You saved my life when I was dying. You created a cure when experts had given up. You’re carrying my child while maintaining top grades in your program. The question isn’t whether you can handle it–it’s whether anyone else could do half of what you’ve already accomplished.”

I hadn’t realized she’d remembered every word.

So here’s what I think,” she continued, her voice steady despite the tears glistening in her eyes. “I think they’re giving me a chance to show every single person in this Academy exactly what I’m capable of. And when I do, when that observer files their report and has to admit I exceeded every expectation- Her smile turned fierce. they’ll have to acknowledge that you didn’t choose poorly. That I am worthy of standing beside you.”

Valdor surged with pride and possessive satisfaction. This was my mate–brave and brilliant, turning their insult into an opportunity to prove them wrong.

I pulled her into my lap, needing her closer. “You have nothing to prove to me,” I murmured against her hair. “You never did.”

“I know. Her arms came around my neck. “But maybe I need to prove it to myself. Need to know that when people respect me, it’s because I earned it, not because I’m your mate.”

Through the bond, I felt the truth of it–her need to forge her own identity, to be recognized for her own accomplishments. It was one of the things I loved most about her, this determination to stand on her own merit.

But it didn’t make it easier to watch her walk into a situation designed to make her fail.

*Promise me something, I said, pulling back enough to meet her eyes. “If Crowe oversteps, if he makes you uncomfortable or undermines your authority- you tell me immediately.”

‘I will. She pressed a kiss to my jaw. “But you have to promise me something too.”

“Anything.”

“Promise you’ll trust that I can handle this. That you won’t see every challenge as something you need to rescue me from. Her hands framed my face. ‘1 need to know you believe I’m strong enough.”

The irony wasn’t lost on nie–she was comforting me, steadying my fear when she was the one facing scrutiny and judgment.

“I believe in you more than I’ve ever believed in anyone, I told her honestly. “But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to eliminate anything that threatens

you.

“I know.” She smiled, understanding and exasperated in equal measure. My fierce, overprotective Alpha.”

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Chapter 153

I kissed her then, slow and deep, pouring everything I couldn’t articulate into the contact. Pride and fear and absolute faith, apology and promise and desperate, aching love.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, she rested her forehead against mine again.

“We’ll get through this, she whispered. “Together.”

And despite everything–despite Cornelius’s machinations and the Council’s doubts and the scrutiny awaiting us–I believed her.

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