Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 31

Mated to Her Alpha Instructor

Chapter 31

Eileen

The walk back from the viewing platform felt like moving through water. Everything seemed slightly unreal–the moonlight on the stone path, the careful distance Regis maintained beside me, the way his hand kept lifting slightly before falling back to his side. Twice I watched him almost reach for me, then

stop himself, and each time something warm and painful twisted in my chest.

He was giving me space. Respecting boundaries I hadn’t even known I needed.

“Are you sure you don’t want to see the house tonight?” His voice was gentle as we approached the dormitory. “I could have a room ready in an hour. It’s

quiet there. Peaceful.”

The offer pulled at me. A quiet house where I didn’t have to pretend or hide sounded like something from a dream. But that was exactly the problem- everything felt too dreamlike already, reality shifting faster than I could process. I needed something familiar to hold onto while my world rearranged itself.

“I need a little time,” I managed. “Just a few days. To get used to everything.”

I braced for disappointment, for the subtle withdrawal I’d learned to expect. Instead, Regis just nodded, his expression softening. “Of course. Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

The certainty in those words–I’m not going anywhere–hit harder than any promise. He said it like a simple fact, and something clenched tight in my chest began to unfurl.

We stopped in the shadows beyond the dormitory lights. Regis turned to face me, and even in the darkness I could see the control he was exercising, keeping his hands at his sides when every line of his body seemed to lean toward me.

“Get some rest,” he said softly. “Eat something if you can. And if anything feels wrong, if you need to hear a voice, contact me. It doesn’t matter what time.” His eyes caught the moonlight. “Don’t try to handle everything alone anymore.”

The lump in my throat made it hard to speak, so I just nodded. He watched me for a long moment before finally stepping back, creating more space even though it clearly cost him something.

“Goodnight, Eileen.*

“Goodnight, Mr. Vane,” I whispered, then turned and walked to the entrance, feeling his presence behind me until the door clicked shut.

Inside, I leaned against the wall, my legs suddenly shaky. He wants the baby. He wants me. This is real. The words cycled through my mind as I climbed the stairs, each step feeling slightly unsteady, as if the ground itself had become uncertain.

Had I really just agreed to all of this? To carrying my instructor’s child, to whatever this complicated thing between us was becoming?

The idea would have seemed impossible before all this. Now here I was, actually expecting to get used to it, expecting a home that was filled with warmth

rather than cold indifference.

The dormitory hallway was blessedly empty when I reached my flour. I was fumbling with my key when the door swung open from inside, revealing Miras beaming face.

“You’re back!” She grabbed me in an enthusiastic hug, pulling me into the room with enough force that I stumbled. I was starting to think you’d gotten last!

Look, look at all this!”

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2:37 pm PP pp.

Chapter 31

Her bed was covered in food: strips of dried meat that smelled of smoke and herbs, crystallized berries gleaming like jewels in lamplight, thick slices of honey cake, and a small jar of golden honey.

The sudden shift from weighted intimacy to Mira’s bright, uncomplicated affection was so jarring I just stood there, staring at the spread while my brain

tried to catch up.

‘Mom made me bring all this for you, Mira continued, apparently not noticing my dazed expression. ‘She said you looked too thin last time you visited, and she’s convinced you’re not eating properly. Which, to be fair, you’re probably not. She picked up a piece of honey cake and thrust it toward me. “Here, try

this. She just made it yesterday.”

The sweet, rich scent hit my nose, and my stomach–knotted all evening–suddenly reminded me I’d barely eaten all day. I took the cake automatically, my fingers closing around the soft, sticky slice.

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