Mated to Her Alpha Instructor (Eileen and Regis) novel Chapter 96

Mated to Her Alpha Instructor

Chapter 96

For a long moment, she didn’t answer. Then, so quietly I almost missed it: “He offered to make me his mistress. Said I was clearly trying to get his attention

by working on this research project. That he’d be willing to… accommodate me. As long as his girlfriend didn’t find out.”

The words detonated in my mind like an explosion.

Valdor erupted with a roar that echoed through my skull. Claws pricked at my fingertips, vision swimming red, every muscle coiling to wheel around and rip

out that whelp’s throat. Through the bond, Eileen must have felt the surge of violence because her hand flew to my chest, pressing over my heart.

I said no, she repeated, her voice firm despite the tremor in her fingers. “I don’t want him, Regis. I haven’t wanted him in a long time. I only went to that section to research the parasitic infection theory. I have work to do. Real, important work. And he’s just… irrelevant.”

The touch of her hand and the absolute certainty in her voice helped drag me back from the edge. But barely. The need to return to that corridor, to make Derek understand in the most visceral way possible that she was mine, that he would never speak to her again–it thrummed through every nerve.

“He had no right, I managed, my voice half–growl. “No right to proposition you like some–to assume he could-

“I know.” She stepped closer, her scent wrapping around me–chamomile and apple, with that honey–warm undertone of our child. “But I also know you’re trying very hard not to go back there and do something that would cause problems. So instead, can we just go home? Please? I’m tired, and I really do need to eat.”

Home. She said it without hesitation now, as if the word belonged to her.

I dragged in a careful breath, then another, forcing Valdor back through sheer will. Eileen’s hand remained over my heart, steady and trusting. She wasn’t afraid of my rage–she was anchoring me through it.

“Alright, I said finally, though my voice remained rough. “But Eileen-

My Alpha. The possessive made something warm bloom in my chest despite the circumstances.

“Though for the record, she added, slightly breathless, “I can fight my own battles. You taught me that.”

“You can, I agreed, tracing her lower lip with my thumb. “And you’re magnificent at it. But that doesn’t mean I won’t stand ready to back you up if someone tries to push past the boundaries you’ve set. That’s what mates do. We protect each other.”

She caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “Then I guess I chose well.”

“We both did, I murmured, holding her close as the carriage carried us home.

Derek Ashford’s name stayed in the part of my mind reserved for threats. He’d insulted my mate and tried to claim her in secret–something that would be dealt with, eventually.

For now, I focused on her warmth, her breathing, and the life we were building. Everything else could wait.