Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 192

I processed this, my mind already leaping to implications. “Cornelius?‘

“Almost certainly, though proving it is another matter.” His hand found mine, fingers lacing together with desperate intensity. “But that’s not what worries me most. Eileen, the way Silas operated, the sophistication of his network, the specific knowledge he had about witch capabilities…” Regis’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “I think he wasn’t just abusing Nina’s mother for sadistic pleasure. I think he was trying to extract her magic. To weaponize it

somehow.”

The words hung in the air like poison.

“If he succeeded, I said slowly, horror dawning, “if he found a way to steal or replicate witch magic-

“Then we will all be in danger. Regis’s other hand came up to cup my face, his thumb stroking my cheekbone. “That’s why I’d tripled the usual guard rotation. And if Silas’s allies realize Nina survived, that she might know what her mother was forced to create-

“They’ll come for her. I finished the thought, my mind already racing through contingencies and defenses. “We have to stop them. Whatever Silas was

planning.

“I know.” Regis pulled me closer, burying his face in my hair. “But Eileen, this is dangerous. More dangerous than anything we’ve faced. These people have proven they’re willing to torture and murder to get what they want.” He drew back enough to meet my eyes, his own bright with barely contained emotion. “I need you safe. You and our child. I need you far away from this.”

For a moment I let myself lean into him, let myself feel the fear that beat in time with my heart. Then I pulled back enough to hold his gaze, keeping our

hands joined between us.

“Nina is me,” I said quietly but firmly. “Maybe not in the specifics, but in everything that matters. She’s someone the world decided wasn’t worth protecting, someone whose pain was acceptable collateral damage in someone else’s schemes.” My voice wavered but I pushed on. “I know what that feels like, Regis. I know what it does to you, believing you’re not worth defending, learning that your suffering is just… convenient for people with power.”

His grip tightened on my hands but I didn’t let him speak.

‘I don’t want our child born into this world. Not this version of it, where people like Nina have to hide what they are to survive, where people like I was are taught to be grateful for scraps of basic dignity.” The words were shaking now but I didn’t try to steady them. “I’m tired of proving I deserve to exist. I’m tired of watching others prove it too, over and over, while the ones who should be proving they deserve their power just… inherit it unchallenged.”

‘Eileen-

‘I know you want to protect me. I know every instinct you have is screaming at you to lock me away somewhere safe until this is over.‘ I squeezed his hands, willing him to understand. “But I can’t do that. I can’t hide while Nina faces this alone. I can’t stand behind you and let you fight battles that are mine to fight too.”

Something shifted in his expression, fear giving way to something that looked almost like awe. “You’re asking me to let you walk into danger.”

“I’m asking you to trust me to do what I’m good at. I brought our joined hands to my chest, letting him feel my heartbeat. ‘I’m a healer, Regis. Let me help heal this. Let me talk to Nina, carefully, gently, see if she knows anything about what her mother was forced to create. Let me do something more than just

existing behind your protection.”

He closed his eyes, jaw working as he fought some internal battle. When he opened them again, they were bright with emotion I couldn’t quite name. “You

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Chapter 192

terrify me sometimes,” he said hoarsely. The courage it takes to say that, to ask for this when you know how desperately I want to keep you safe…”

Then trust me.” I leaned forward until our foreheads touched. “I’m not asking to charge into battle. I’m asking to use my skills to help someone who

desperately needs it while hopefully uncovering information that might save lives. Let me be your partner in this, Regis. Not just someone you protect.”

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