Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 209

Eileen

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The dining hall took my breath away. Moonstone lanterns cast soft light over a long table set with fine dishes and crystal glasses. Several wolves were already seated–older pack members, likely Adrian’s inner circle and family.

Then he entered.

Alpha Cross commanded attention without trying. Tall and broad–shouldered, with gray eyes that seemed to miss nothing, he moved with the controlled power of a seasoned warrior. Morgan immediately went to his side, slipping her hand through his arm with comfortable

familiarity.

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“Forgive the delay,” Adrian said, nodding to Regis. “Border security required personal attention.”

“Understandable.” Regis returned the gesture, and I felt the subtle assessment passing between the two Alphas.

Adrian’s gaze moved across our group–pausing briefly on me with polite interest, lingering a moment on Owen and Mira with what might have been approval. Then his eyes landed on Nina.

I felt her entire body go rigid beside me.

The Alpha’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes–recognition, maybe, or shock so carefully controlled it was almost invisible. His hand tightened almost imperceptibly on the wine glass Declan had handed him. The moment lasted perhaps two seconds before he looked away, turning to greet an elder who’d approached him.

“Nina?” I whispered, tightening my arm around hers. “Are you alright?”

“Fine.” The word came out strangled, “I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t. I’d never seen her so pale, and her fingers clutched my arm hard enough to bruise. My mind raced, trying to understand what I’d just witnessed.

“Do you know him?” I kept my voice low as we moved toward our seats.

“No.” She shook her head too quickly, too forcefully. “I’ve never seen him before.”

The lie was obvious, but I didn’t push. Not here, not now. I just guided her to the chair beside mine and tiled to ignore the way my stomach had started churning with unease.

Dinner proceeded with surface pleasantness. Morgan proved to be an engaging conversationalist, asking about my work at the medical

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Chapter 209

camp with genuine interest.

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I heard you developed a treatment for those parasitic infections,” she said, leaning forward. “That’s incredible, especially while pregnant.

How are you managing?”

“Some days better than others. I appreciated her directness. “But the work helps. It gives me purpose.”

“I understand that.” Morgan’s smile turned wry. “Everyone expects the Luna to just smile and look decorative. But Adrian knows better

than to try keeping me in a cage.”

Beside her, Adrian made a sound that might have been amusement. “She’d bite my hand off if I tried.”

It should have been charming, the easy banter between chosen mates. But I noticed Nina beside me, barely touching her food, her head

bowed so her hair fell forward to hide her face.

Across the table, Owen was introducing Mira to his parents–a kind–faced older couple who seemed delighted by their son’s sudden mate bond. Mira gradually relaxed under their warm acceptance, her natural cheer reasserting itself. I was happy for her, truly. But it only made Nina’s distress more noticeable by contrast.

I tried several times to engage Nina in conversation, but she gave one–word responses, never lifting her eyes from her plate. And each time I glanced toward the head of the table, I found Adrian looking in our direction–or rather, in Nina’s direction–before quickly turning his attention back to Morgan or the elders.

Something was happening here that I didn’t understand, and it made me feel a bit uneasy.

After the meal, Morgan suggested a walk through the gardens to view the moonstone lanterns. Most of the group agreed enthusiastically -Mira practically dragged Owen along, eager to explore, while Regis accepted with the courtesy expected between allied packs.

But before we could move toward the doors, Nina’s hand caught my sleeve.

I’m tired,” she said, her voice flat and distant. “I’d like to rest.”

“Nina-

“Please.” She still wouldn’t meet my eyes. I just need to be alone.”

I watched helplessly as she hurried from the dining hall, her posture rigid with barely controlled panic. livery instinct screamed to follow her, but I also knew that Nina sometimes needed space to process whatever demons haunted her. Pushing too hard would only make her

retreat further.

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Mated to Her Alpha Instructor