Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196

“No! The word burst from him, sharp with genuine panic. I told him to observe the girl, yes, but only to interfere with her training! To make sure she’d fail the evaluation!” He caught himself too late, eyes widening as he realized what he’d admitted.

I smiled, and from the way Cornelius flinched, it wasn’t pleasant. “So you do acknowledge directing Silas to act against my mate.”

“That’s not I didn’t mean- He stumbled backward until his shoulders hit the stone wall. His neck tilted involuntarily, exposing his throat in a submissive gesture as old as our species.

I released more of Valdor’s presence, letting the Alpha pressure fill the room like a physical weight. Cornelius’s knees buckled slightly. “I don’t have time for games, I said softly, each word precise. “Tell me exactly what arrangement you made with Silas Crowe.”

Father’s voice cut through from behind Cornelius, measured and cold. “Consider carefully, Elder. If you refuse to cooperate, we’ll present this matter before the full council as suspected treason. The penalty for that is considerably worse than anything my son might do to you tonight.”

Cornelius crumpled. The words spilled from him in a rush–how Silas had approached him nearly two years ago with an offer to “collaborate,” how the man had access to smuggling routes that could generate substantial profit for very little risk. How Cornelius, already resentful of the Vane family’s progressive politics, had been easy to tempt.

“The money was good,” he babbled. “And when Silas offered to help… discourage that girl from thinking she belonged among us, I saw no harm in it. She’s wolfless, for moon’s sake! An embarrassment to your bloodline!”

“Careful, Father warned, but I’d already moved, my hand closing around Cornelius’s throat–not squeezing, not yet, but the threat implicit.

“Keep talking, I suggested. “What else did you give him?”

“Information!” The word came out strangled. “About academy schedules, your movements, security rotations–but only what he needed for the smuggling routes! I swear I never authorized contact with enemy packs!”

I released him, letting him collapse against the wall as he gasped for breath. “Show me the correspondence.”

With shaking hands, Cornelius produced a bundle of letters from inside his coat. I leafed through them rapidly, noting the dates–the earliest was indeed from two years ago. Most dealt with logistics of moving contraband goods, though several contained detailed reports about the academy and my activities.

The most recent three, however, made my blood run cold.

“The full moon approaches. Keep the council distracted.”

“Our mutual friends are interested in the special project. Substantial payment for cooperation.”

“Everything proceeds as planned. The girl suspects nothing.”

“The bluff worked, he observed.

“Because there was truth behind it.” I set the glass down harder than necessary. ‘Silas disappeared three days ago. He’s been monitoring Eileen, and whatever he’s planning involves the full moon–which is two weeks away.”

“Then you’d better get back to the border. Father gripped my shoulder, a rare gesture of physical affection. ‘I’ll deploy our guard to support you if needed. And son?” He waited until I met his eyes. “Keep your mate safe. That’s your first priority.”

“Always. The word came out as close to a growl as human vocal cords allowed.

I felt Eileen through the bond then–a flutter of anxiety quickly suppressed, her attempt not to burden me with her worry. My chest tightened. Two weeks. Whatever Silas was planning, it would happen at the full moon, and I would be there to stop it.

Valdor’s snarl echoed in my mind: Protect. Defend. Kill anyone who threatens our mate and cub.

For once, I was in complete agreement with my wolf.