Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Regis

The supply depot smelled of canvas and dried herbs, underlaid with the faint metallic tang of weapon oil. I ran my hand along the nearest shelf, counting bundles of bandages with the methodical precision that had kept soldiers alive on a dozen campaigns. Twelve. The ledger said eighteen.

I moved to the next row. Dried venison, wrapped in oilcloth. Twenty–three bundles where the records claimed thirty–five. Moonwort extract–critical for treating infected wounds–sat at barely half the documented quantity.

My jaw tightened as I cross–referenced the physical count against the supply master’s latest report. The numbers on parchment were pristine, balanced to the last copper coin. No corrections, no annotations explaining discrepancies. Just neat columns that bore no relation to the reality before me.

Valdor stirred uneasily in my chest. Something’s wrong.

I knew The question was how wrong, and who was responsible.

“Send for Commander Garrick, I told the young Beta stationed at the depot entrance. He saluted and disappeared into the afternoon light, leaving me alone

with rows of half–empty shelves and a growing sense of unease that had nothing to do with missing supplies.

Garrick had fought in the northern campaigns, held the line when younger wolves broke and ran. He was known for his steady, methodical character. This

wasn’t a mistake he should have made.

Which meant it probably wasn’t a mistake at all.

The communicator in my pocket hummed softly. Eileen’s presence brushed against my mind through the bond, warm and concerned.

I’d promised to meet her at the cabin tonight. We’d been apart for three days while I dealt with a skirmish near the northern watchtower, and the bond hummed with anticipation of reunion. I could almost feel the weight of her in my arms, smell the lavender and chamomile scent that clung to her skin after

a day in the medical station.

But standing here among empty shelves and perfect ledgers, I knew that reunion would have to wait.

Footsteps approached–measured, military. Garrick filled the doorway, his broad frame silhouetted against the late afternoon sun. You wanted to see me,

sir?

“Close the door.”

He did, though something flickered across his weathered features. Surprise, perhaps. Or wariness.

I gestured at the shelves. ‘Walk me through your inventory process.

“Sir?” His tone held just a shade too much confusion for a man who should have anticipated this question the moment he received my summons.

‘Physical counts versus ledger entries. How often do you verify them personally?

A pause. Brief, but telling. “The supply master handles day–to–day operations. I review the ledgers weekly, ensure everything balances.

And physical inspections?”

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Chapter 171

“Monthly audits by the depot staff. They report any discrepancies to the supply master, who adjusts the records accordingly.” Garrick’s shoulders had stiffened almost imperceptibly. “Has there been a problem?”

I picked up a bundle of bandages, weighing it in my palm. “These shelves are thirty percent understocked. Moonwort extract is at half documented levels. Dried meat, medical supplies, even basic rations–all short.” I met his eyes. ‘Yet your ledgers show perfect inventory control.”

His expression barely shifted, but his scent changed–a subtle spike of something that might have been alarm beneath the usual leather and woodsmoke. ‘That’s… unexpected. I’ll have the supply master-

“When did you last personally verify a physical count?”

The question landed like a blade between his ribs. Garrick had been a soldier long enough to recognize an interrogation when it started. I… rely on my staff for ground–level operations. My duties require-

“You have a deputy.” I kept my voice level, though Valdor’s growl rumbled beneath my words. “Why isn’t he conducting these audits?”

Silence. Garrick’s jaw worked as though chewing on words he couldn’t quite spit out.

“This isn’t like you, I continued, watching him carefully. “You don’t delegate critical oversight to clerks and hope for the best.”

“Sir, if there’s been a failure in my command-

“I’m not asking if there’s been a failure. I’m asking why.” I set the bandages down with deliberate care. “You’re a career officer. You know what missing supplies mean on an active border. Either you’ve grown dangerously complacent, or something else is happening here.”

His throat bobbed. For a moment I thought he might speak, might offer some explanation that would make this make sense. Instead he straightened, falling back on military formality like armor. “I’ll investigate immediately and provide you with a full report by morning.”

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RVisitor

duplicate chapters are just wrong! fix it

7 days ago

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