{Elira}
~**^**~
"The Student Council mbers don’t know about my relationship with Regina," I quickly corrected that notion.
Nari’s jaw dropped in shock. "What?"
Juniper blinked rapidly with disbelief written across her face. "Wait... how is that even possible?"
I knew they would be shocked to know this fact, and I was prepared for the explanation.
I nodded faintly. "Regina never told them. Not even Kaelis. I noticed it that first day I was dragged before them. From the way they spoke to , from the way Kaelis treated —it was obvious they had no idea. If they did, the insults and punishnts would have been different."
Cambria leaned forward and said in a low tone, "But, why would Regina hide this information from them?"
I hesitated for a beat, and then shook my head. "I don’t know." The truth of it stung. "But I think I know why they ca after the way they did with the humiliation and the disciplinary action."
Their gazes fixed on , waiting. My throat tightened, but I forced the words out.
"It was simply because I threatened Regina. After I realized she was hiding the truth from the council, I told her privately, that I would expose the truth about us being cousins if she bothered again."
I took a quick breath and continued, "And she... she completely lost it. She was furious, like the very idea of them knowing was unbearable. I think that’s why she went behind the scenes and pushed the others to humiliate ."
Tamryn spoke in a calm but cutting edge to her tone. "So this wasn’t about discipline. It was her retaliation."
Juniper’s brows drew together as she absorbed this. "No, I understand that this is Kaelis probably thought she was just helping Regina crush so first-year not knowing there is another reason."
Nari slapped her hand against her knee, glaring at nothing in particular. "Petty snake. One day, she will choke on her own lies. And when she does, I will be the first to laugh."
Cambria looked back at , her eyes softer and searching. "Elira, you shouldn’t have had to fight her like that. But I understand why you did."
My lips curved in the faintest, bitter smile. "Believe , I didn’t want to. But she left no choice. As long as she is afraid of the truth, it’s one weapon I still have against her."
Nari leaned forward again, her eyes sharp as blades. "So what now? Do you tell the council the truth, throw it in Regina’s face, and watch her choke on her own secrets?"
Juniper humd, thoughtful, her tone less rash. "Or do you keep it hidden? Because once the truth is out, you can’t put it back in the box. And Regina won’t just cower if she falls out with her friends now. She will definitely go rabid."
Cambria’s gaze softened. "Elira, it’s your truth, no one else’s. You decide when it should co out."
Tamryn crossed her arms, steady as ever and suggested, "I say you hold the truth for now and use it like a sword, not a shield. Secrets like this are more dangerous when they are kept waiting."
Their voices swirled around , pulling into their circle of care and strategy. I listened, letting it sink in, but in the end, I lowered my gaze and whispered,
"Not yet. I will keep it to myself until the ti is right."
The words felt heavier than I expected, like binding myself to a vow.
But just then, I rembered my mates. I couldn’t tell my friends everything, especially not about Zenon, Lennon, or Rennon, no matter how much that truth burned at the edge of my tongue.
But it wasn’t because I didn’t trust my friends. It was because I knew how much bigger, that revelation was.
I decided that when the ti was right, and the occasion called for it, I will reveal that truth.
Juniper smiled at gently, her usual mischief dimd but not gone. "Good. Then we will be ready when you decide to swing that sword."
Nari grinned, though her eyes still glowed with fire. "And when that day cos, I will make sure to make a good article out of it, and make it go viral."
Laughter broke out around the room, easing the weight just enough to breathe again.
---
Several minutes later, the room was quiet now, with only the soft hum of night settling in around us.
I lay curled beneath my blanket, staring at the faint glow of the moonlight against the ceiling, when Selene’s voice slipped gently into my mind.
"You showed courage tonight," she said, steady and warm.
I exhaled slowly. "It didn’t feel like enough. I didn’t tell them everything."
"That’s because it wasn’t the right ti," Selene replied calmly. "Truth is not just about what is spoken, but when it is spoken. You chose wisely."
I frowned faintly against the pillow. "But I didn’t hold back to protect them. I just... I know ESA’s rules. Students and professors—"
"Are forbidden," Selene finished for . "And you’ve seen how your mates carry themselves here, proper, and controlled. You respected that. You are honoring the boundaries they live by, even as your bond grows."
Her words settled into like cool water over fla, easing the restless guilt that was gnawing at .
"So I wasn’t wrong?" I asked quietly.
"No, Elira. You were right," Selene said firmly. "You gave your friends enough truth to strengthen trust, but you kept what would only confuse or complicate things now. When the mont cos, when it will matter, you will tell them. And they will stand with you."
My chest loosened at last. I shut my eyes, letting the certainty in Selene’s tone wrap around .
I no longer felt torn between sha and fear. I simply felt relieved.
"Thank you," I whispered back, more to myself than to her.
"Sleep now," Selene murmured. "Tomorrow, you will need your strength."
And with that, I finally let go, letting the quiet of the night carry into sleep.
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