Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”

“Well, you’ve got good instincts. Mira’s voice turned serious. “If something feels wrong, trust that feeling.”

I hugged her quickly, grateful for her steady presence, then turned toward the path that led to the birch grove. Despite my troubled thoughts, anticipation warmed my chest as I drew closer to the hidden cottage.

The door opened before I could reach for the handle. Regis stood silhouetted in the firelight, his expression softening the moment he saw me. Without a

word, he pulled me inside and into his arms, and I buried my face against his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of cedar and mint.

“Rough day?” His voice rumbled against my ear, one hand stroking my hair.

“Not rough, exactly. Just… confusing.”

He guided me to the sofa by the fire, settling me against his side. “Tell me.”

So I did. I explained about Nina’s worsening condition, about Silas’s seemingly innocent question, about the strange coincidence of his repeated visits never intersecting with her presence. Regis listened without interrupting, his jaw tightening slightly.

“You think Silas is looking for her specifically,” he said when I finished. It wasn’t a question.

“I don’t know what to think.” Frustration leaked into my voice. “Maybe I’m reading too much into it. He’s never been anything but polite to me.”

“Your instincts brought you into a forest to save a dying wolf you’d never met.” Regis caught my chin gently, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. “Don’t discount them now. If something feels wrong about Silas’s interest in Nina, there’s probably a reason.”

“But what can I do? She won’t talk to me. She won’t accept help.”

“No, you can’t force her to trust you.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “But you can make sure she knows you’re there if she needs you. Beyond that… you can’t carry her battles for her, love. You can offer a hand, but you can’t force her to take it.

The truth of that settled over me like a weight and a relief all at once. “I just hate seeing her in pain.”

‘I know. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “But remember–you’re carrying our child. Your first responsibility is to keep yourself safe.‘

As if in response to his words, a flutter of movement rippled across my belly. I gasped softly, pressing my hand to the spot. Regis’s attention immediately sharpened.

“Was that-? His hand covered mine, larger and warmer.

I think so. The baby’s been more active lately.”

X

Regis shifted, kneeling on the floor in front of me so he was eye–level with my slightly rounded stomach. With infinite care, he placed both palms against the fabric of my dress.

“Hello, little one,” he murmured, his voice dropping to that low rumble that never failed to make my heart skip. Your mother’s been working very hard to

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Chapter 174

help others. But you need to be gentle with her, understand?”

I felt it again–that definite press against my belly, as if the baby was responding to its father’s voice. Tears pricked my eyes as I covered Regis’s hands with

mine.

“I think someone knows their papa,” I whispered.

He looked up at me, and the raw emotion in his eyes–love, protectiveness, wonder–stole my breath. “I can feel it through the bond. Our child’s presence. It’s like… starlight. Faint but unmistakable.”

“Starlight, I repeated softly. “That’s beautiful.”

Regis rose, gathering me into his arms and carrying me toward the bedroom. “You need rest. And I need to hold you while you get it.”

I didn’t protest. He settled us both on the bed, arranging the blankets before pulling me back against his chest.

Tomorrow,” he said quietly, “I want you to be extra careful around Silas. Keep conversations brief and professional. Don’t be alone with him if you can help

it.”

“You really think he’s dangerous?” Despite the fire and blankets and Regis’s solid warmth, a chill ran through me.

“I think anyone sent by Cornelius bears watching. And there are too many coincidences piling up for comfort. Promise me you’ll be cautious.”

“I promise.” I laced my fingers through his where they rested over my heart. “Are you… is everything alright at the training camp? You seem tired.”

There was a pause, subtle enough that I might have missed it if I weren’t so attuned to him. “Just some administrative headaches. Supply chain issues.

Nothing urgent.”

He was hiding something. Not lying, exactly, but definitely not telling me everything. The realization should have hurt, but instead I felt a strange understanding. He had responsibilities he couldn’t share, just as I had healing work that involved confidential matters. Trust didn’t mean knowing everything–it meant believing in each other even when some things remained unspoken.

“Then rest while you can, I murmured, turning to press a kiss to his jaw. “We both need it.”

His answering kiss landed in my hair, gentle and lingering. Outside, moonlight painted the snow–covered birch grove in silver, and somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled–a lonely sound that spoke of vast territories and ancient wildness.

I closed my eyes, letting Regis’s steady heartbeat lull me toward sleep. Tomorrow would bring whatever challenges it brought.

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