{Elira}
~**^**~
By the ti we finished our lunch and were pushing our trays onto the return rack, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
The cafeteria doors swung open, letting in a rush of cooler air as we joined the flow of students heading out. I pulled out my phone, glancing at the screen.
There were two new ssages in my group with the brothers.
The first was from Rennon —a simple and warm, with his trademark mix of genuine pride and encouragent. He had clearly seen the pictures and the clips Lennon sent to the group.
The second was from Zenon. He sent just one word: Congratulations.
That was it. No exclamation mark. No flourish. Just the barest acknowledgnt.
And yet, sothing about that single word made my smile stretch even wider. Maybe because I hadn’t expected anything from him at all.
This way, there was nothing to be disappointed about — only pleasantly surprised.
I typed out replies to both, my thumbs moving quickly. Rennon got a heartfelt thank-you peppered with a little humor.
The reply I sent to Zenon was simpler: "Thank you."
I stared at it for a second before hitting send, wondering if he had even see it as soon as Rennon would.
---
Back in our dorm, the chatter of the arena and cafeteria still lingered faintly in my ears. I tossed my phone onto my bed.
"I’m going for a shower," I announced, grabbing a clean set of clothes from my wardrobe.
The bathroom slled faintly of lavender from soone’s earlier bath bomb. Instead of turning on the shower, I twisted the taps for one of the tubs, letting warm water gush in. The steam curled upward, wrapping around in soft clouds.
Since I’d arrived at ESA, I hadn’t once used the tub — I had always gone for the quick, standing shower. But today felt different. Today deserved sothing indulgent.
I eased myself into the water, the heat seeping into my tired muscles. A sigh slipped out unbidden. The foam was light and fragrant, brushing against my skin like a second layer of warmth.
I humd softly to myself, letting the lody rise and fall with the quiet slosh of water. And with my eyes closed, I could almost imagine I was floating.
A few monts later, I heard the door creak open.
"Are you that happy?" Cambria’s voice floated in, smiling even without looking.
Without opening my eyes, I answered, "Of course. The Moon Goddess has finally heard my cries."
My voice was light, almost dreamy. Wolfing out for the first ti in my life still felt surreal.
Just then, I heard the quiet pad of footsteps and opened my eyes just as Cambria ca into view. Instinctively, I sank a little deeper into the water, making sure the foam covered my chest fully.
Cambria sat gracefully on the edge of the tub, her legs angled slightly away. She smiled down at , the warmth in her expression so genuine it made sothing in my chest soften.
"This is just the beginning," she said. "The good things the Moon Goddess has for you are only starting to unfold."
I studied her face. Cambria wasn’t the type to speak just to make soone feel better, not like this. Her tone carried a weight — as if she knew sothing. And with her gift of sight... maybe she did.
I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes playfully. "And what other good things does the Moon Goddess have for ?"
Cambria pretended to think for a mont, her lips quirking. Then she stood. "Enjoy your bath, Elira" she said, ignoring my question entirely.
"Hey—wait—" I started, but she was already unwrapping the towel around her body and stepping toward one of the showers. "That’s not fair!"
But she didn’t return to my side.
The sound of rushing water soon filled the room, cutting off any chance for a quick answer.
I leaned back against the tub wall, my curiosity now sparking hotter than my earlier contentnt.
Cambria was hiding sothing, I was sure of it. Well... she could keep her little secret for now.
But sooner or later, I’d get it out of her — no matter the effort she tries to put into keeping her lips sealed.
---
By the ti I stepped out of the bathroom, steam still clinging faintly to my skin and hair, the room felt cooler, calr.
My body was light, loose from the soak. I crossed the space quietly, heading straight for my bed. The mattress dipped under as I flopped down, pulling my blanket halfway over my legs.
Nari’s voice cut through the quiet. "And what exactly are you trying to do?"
I turned my head toward her, a small, sleepy smile tugging at my lips. "Trying to et my wolf."
Nari let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "You’re weird, Elira. But good luck with that."
I didn’t bother explaining. She probably thought it was strange that I didn’t just talk to my wolf in my head like most shifters could. But my path was different.
If dreams were the only way I could see her, then that was the path I’d take.
I rolled onto my side, turning my back to them. My eyelids already felt heavy.
I had tried reaching her earlier while in the bath, calling silently in my mind, but the void had been too still, too empty. Maybe, just maybe, sleep would bridge that gap like last ti.
And it did—faster than I expected.
One blink, and I was standing in that familiar dream-space: a vast, silvery expanse under a moon that seed impossibly close.
My wolf was there, her red fur gleaming like embers under moonlight.
I felt my chest swell. "You won’t believe it," I blurted, walking up to her, my hands itching to run through her fur.
"I actually shifted. I was so scared before the race, but—" My voice broke into a laugh. "We did it. Thank you. But how did it happen?"
Her eyes—deep gold, steady—watched with quiet pride. "I am awakening."
The words seed to hum through the space.
My brows knitted. "Awakening?"
"Yes, And part of the reason you could access is because your channels are blocked," she said, her tone even.
Sothing cold pricked at . "So... does that an my channels are unlocked now?"
"No. Not yet." The answer ca without hesitation.
I exhaled sharply, my shoulders slumping a little. Disappointnt slid in despite myself.
Still, I pushed on because I felt it wasn’t too much of a deal compared to the spectacular mont I manifested during the race.
I couldn’t trade that for anything. But I had an important question.
"Then how co you were able to speak to during the Mating Moon ceremony?"
Her gaze didn’t waver, but I did see the calmness settle in her eyes. "Because you were in a place filled with strong essence and power. It stirred awake."
I frowned slightly, thinking it over. "Then... how co you appeared in my dreams before, and how did I manage to shift today?"
She stepped closer, her fur almost brushing my arm. "Do you rember our trip to the healer with our mates?"
"Of course," I said slowly.
"She is powerful. She unlocked things—small things, but enough."
My lips parted. So that was it?
I rembered leaving that place with a pit of disappointnt in my stomach while fighting back tears of heartbreak, convinced the whole trip had been pointless. Now, my chest ward with gratitude. I’d been so wrong.
I let out a slow sigh, the tension leaving . "Alright... so when will you be able to speak to in my head like normal wolves do?"
"Sooner than you expect, Elira."
That answer made my pulse pick up, but the way my na rolled off her tongue assured in ways I didn’t expect. I could live with ’soon.’
A thought suddenly struck . "Wait—what’s your na?" I had forgotten to ask her last ti before she disappeared. Thank goodness I rembered it on ti, at this mont.
Her golden eyes softened. "Selene. My na is Selene."
The sound of it lingered in the air like a ribbon of smoke.
Selene. My wolf—my other half.
---
I woke to the llow gold of evening spilling through the window, warm and drowsy across my skin.
The nap had been deep enough to leave my limbs pleasantly heavy, but my mind... my mind was alert.
One thought floated there, crisp and whole.
Her na.
Selene.
I lay there a mont longer, the word curling through like the final note of a song.
Saying it in my head sent a strange comfort rippling through my chest, as though my wolf—Selene—were pressing her muzzle against in silent acknowledgent.
I rolled onto my back, staring at Cambria’s bunk above , a small smile pulling at my lips.
My roommates’ chatter drifted in from the far side of the room, but I barely heard it. I was too caught up in the quiet thrill of connection.
"Selene," I murmured under my breath this ti, testing the sound on my tongue. It was soft but strong—like her.
No answer ca, not in words, but there was a pulse of warmth inside , as if she’d heard.
I sat up slowly, still smiling, my heart impossibly light.
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