Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Regis

I knew something was wrong the moment I entered the library’s main corridor.

The bond had been humming with Eileen’s focused determination all afternoon–a bright, steady note that helped me endure the tedium of faculty meetings and administrative reviews. But in the last few minutes, it had shifted. Confusion, then disgust, then a brittle sort of anger that made Valdor pace restlessly in my mind.

I’d intended to wait at the Academy gates as usual, but that flicker of distress pulled me inside, my feet carrying me toward the library before I’d consciously decided to move.

Then I caught his scent. Male. Young. Arrogant. And far too close to where I knew Eileen was working.

Valdor surged forward with a snarl.

I rounded the corner just as Eileen emerged from the restricted section, her face carefully composed but her hands trembling where they clutched her books. Behind her, a male student lingered in the doorway–tall, conventionally handsome, with the self–satisfied air of someone who’d never been told no.

The temperature around me dropped as Valdor flooded my senses. My vision sharpened, colors bleeding away except for Eileen’s form and the male who’d been standing too close to her in a secluded area. Every instinct screamed threat, eliminate, protect.

Eileen’s eyes found mine, widening with recognition and something that looked like relief. Through the bond, I felt her pulse of reassurance–I’m okay, just tired–but beneath it ran currents of upset she was trying to hide.

Not acceptable.

I closed the distance between us in long strides, watching the male’s confident posture falter as he registered my approach. Good. He should be afraid.

“Instructor Vane, Eileen said, her voice slightly breathless. The formal address was both necessary and maddening–she was playing the role of student even as our bond sang with her need for comfort.

I stopped beside her, close enough that my arm nearly brushed hers, and let my gaze rake over the male with open disdain. He was nothing. Less than nothing. A whelp who’d dared approach my mate in a dark corner and said something that left her trembling.

‘Good afternoon, Instructor Vane, the male said, attempting charm. I was just-

‘I didn’t ask.” My voice came out flat and cold. I turned to Eileen, letting my expression soften fractionally. Do you need help putting the book back?

“Are you alright?” The words came out rougher than I’d intended.

She nodded, but her fingers trembled slightly where they clutched her remaining books. I’m fine. He just… startled me.”

“Startled.” I studied her face, reading the careful omission in her tone. “Eileen, what did he say to you?*

She bit her lip, clearly debating how much to tell me. Through the bond, I felt her uncertainty–not fear of me, but worry about how I’d react.

“Nothing important,” she said finally. Just being Derek.”

The evasion made Valdor snarl. I gentled my voice with effort, though my jaw remained tight. “That male followed you into a restricted area and said something that left you upset. That’s not nothing.”

“I handled it. Her chin lifted slightly, meeting my eyes with surprising firmness. I told him no and walked away..”

“You did exactly right, I said quietly. “But I’m still asking what he said. Because whatever it was, it’s still bothering you. And that male is still breathing, which means you showed considerably more restraint than I’m currently feeling.”