Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 178

Eileen

The corridor felt too narrow, the air too thick. I stood frozen in the doorway of the dormitory wing, watching Nina’s retreating form disappear around the

corner with the frantic energy of a hunted animal. The slam of her door echoed through the hall like a gunshot.

“That poor girl. The orderly who’d collided with her bent to retrieve the scattered bandages from the floor, shaking his head. “Didn’t even apologize. Just

ran like a ghost was after her.”

I wanted to follow her, to knock on that door and demand she tell me what had put that look of absolute terror in her eyes.

Behind me, Silas cleared his throat delicately. “Miss Wylde? Are you quite alright?”

I turned back to face him, forcing my expression into something approximating normalcy. He stood exactly where I’d left him, hands clasped behind his back, the very picture of concerned authority. Nothing in his posture suggested he’d just witnessed anything unusual. Nothing except the faint crease between his brows, the way his gaze lingered on the corner where Nina had disappeared.

“Yes, I’m fine.” The lie tasted bitter. “I should check on her, though. She seemed… upset.”

“Indeed. Silas tilted his head, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “You room near Miss Grey, don’t you? In the adjoining suite?”

How did he know that? I’d never mentioned Nina to him, had barely spoken to the man beyond professional pleasantries during his inspections. “Yes, we

share a common area.”

“Ah. He nodded slowly, as if this confirmed something. “I hope you’ll forgive my asking, but how well do you know your colleague? Her background, her family situation?”

The question landed wrong, too pointed for casual concern. I thought of Nina’s empty file, the way Mira had speculated about orphanages or worse. “Not

well, I admitted carefully. “She keeps to herself mostly.”

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“Mm. Silas’s expression shifted to something almost paternal, sympathetic in a way that didn’t reach his eyes. “I only ask because I’ve noticed some… concerning behaviors. One worries about students so far from home, especially those without proper support systems,”

Every word was reasonable, considerate even. But there was something underneath it, something that made me want to step back, to put distance between myself and this man who smelled faintly of leather and old smoke.

‘I’m sure she’s just adjusting to the work, I said, keeping my voice neutral. “The border cases can be difficult.”

“Of course, of course. He waved a hand dismissively. “Though between you and me, Miss Wylde, I do wonder if Miss Grey is truly suited for border service. Some personalities simply aren’t equipped for the isolation, the pressure. It would be no failing on her part to request teassignment somewhere more…

structured.”

The suggestion hung in the air like a threat dressed in velvet. I thought of Nina’s precision with healing compounds, the way her hands never shook no matter how gruesome the wound. Whatever else she might be, unsuited was not a word I would use

‘I should really go check on her,” I said, taking a deliberate step toward the dormitory wing. If you’ll excuse me

“Of course.”

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4:10 pm

Chapter 178

I managed some polite response, some excuse about needing to rest, and finally he stepped aside.

I found Mira still at work in the compounding room, grinding dried silverleaf with practiced efficiency. She looked up when I entered, her expression

brightening before concern quickly replaced it.

“You look like you’ve run into some trouble,” she observed, setting down her pestle. Everything okay?”

“It’s Silas. The way he’s been watching Nina–it makes me uneasy.”

“How would he even know Nina? He’s always on the border, Mira looked confused. ‘You might be overthinking it.”

I thought of Nina’s panic, the way she’d fled from Silas like he was death itself. “What do you know about Nina’s family? Her background before she came

here?

Mira’s expression turned cautious. “Not much. When I helped Professor Ward file some of the student records last month, I noticed her guardian section was blank. No parents listed, no emergency contacts. The admissions clerk told me she’s technically a ward of the academy–they sponsored her directly.”

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