Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 58

The healer gathered his supplies. “I’ll return tomorrow with strengthening tonics. But Regis—don’t wait too long. Time is a luxury she doesn’t have.”

After he left, silence settled heavy. Eileen stared at our joined hands.

“You heard him,” I said quietly. “We need to talk.”

She nodded but didn’t speak. I sat beside her, kept holding her hand, and waited.

“I know it’s necessary.” Her voice was barely audible. “For the baby. For me. But I’m not ready.” She finally looked up, eyes vulnerable. “We’ve only known each other weeks. We have the bond, you’ve been good to me, but I’m still scared.”

“Of what?” I kept my voice gentle.

She pulled her hand free, wrapping her arms around herself. “The mark won’t stay. I’m wolfless—my body can’t hold an Alpha’s claim. If you bite me, it fades in days. Then what? You bite me again? It fades again?” Her voice tightened. “That rejection, over and over—I’ve read it causes Alphas pain. Eventually you’ll resent me for it. You’ll see proof I’m not enough—”

“Stop.” The command came sharp, and I immediately softened. “Look at me. Please.”

Slowly, she met my gaze.

“The mark’s permanence doesn’t measure your worth,” I said, each word deliberate. “I chose you because you are my mate. My soul recognized yours. If the mark fades daily, I’ll mark you daily. That’s not rejection—that’s commitment.”

I brushed away the tears on her cheeks with my thumb.

“I won’t force you. If you’re not ready, I can wait. But for your safety, our child’s safety—this isn’t if, it’s when. And I need you to understand something.” I held her gaze. “When we take that step, I want it because you’re willing. Not because you’re afraid of dying. Not because you have no choice. Because you trust me enough to accept me, knowing I will never see you as less than worthy.”

I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I’ll give you time to prove to yourself I mean this. But Eileen—that time is measured in weeks, not months. Your body won’t wait longer.”

I turned back. “Yes?”

“I’m so glad to be your mate.”

Heat surged through me, sharp and consuming. Every instinct screamed to pull her into my arms, to kiss her until she forgot the world outside this room. I swallowed hard, forcing the urge down.

“You have no idea what that means to me,” I said quietly, my voice rougher than I intended. “If I stay another minute, I won’t be able to let you rest.”

Even so, it took everything in me to release her hand and turn away. I lingered for a heartbeat longer than I should, then made myself step toward the door.

I closed it softly behind me. Downstairs, I headed for my study, already composing a message to Thaddeus about the strongest tonics available.