A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs Chapter 140: Not Meant to be in the Shadows

{Elira}

~**^**~

Cambria’s words struck deeper than I expected. It’s not that I haven’t thought about things from this angle before.

I had done that and still had no answers because the right person to have posed that question to, my parents, were late. But there was still uncle Marc who I hadn’t had the opportunity to et since after discovering my mother’s regal identity.

Regardless, I forced myself to keep my composure and answered the question truthfully. "I’ve asked myself that question more tis than I can count," I admitted quietly. "And I still don’t have an answer."

Their eyes stayed fixed on , the weight of their concern and confusion almost unbearable.

"Maybe..." Juniper’s voice was softer now, but a little hesitant. "Maybe there’s sothing more to it. Maybe you are not what you think you are."

Her words sent a faint chill through , echoing the very doubts I had buried deep.

Then, I pressed my lips together and t each of their gazes again. "All I know is that Regina doesn’t deserve to use my mother’s na for her own gain. That much, is what I can’t let slide anymore."

Before any of them could press with more questions, the Vice-Chancellor’s voice rose again, steady and commanding.

"That will be all for today. I expect every one of you to rember the pride of ESA, and conduct yourselves properly. You are dismissed."

Her words echoed across the auditorium, and imdiately the students began to stir. But the rules of assembly were strict. No one moved until the professors and staff had first left.

So, my friends and I remained on our seats, watching quietly as the line of faculty rose from their seats on the stage.

The triplet brothers stood out easily among them. And the mont they disappeared through the exit doors, the Student Council mbers rose from the front row.

Princess Kaelis led them, her chin tilted high, Regina at her side, smiling as though she were still basking in the glow of her stolen spotlight. Their departure left a trail of whispers in their wake.

Next ca the third years, rising in a wave of rustling uniforms and purposeful steps. Then the second years followed in the sa fashion, their voices hushed but restless with speculation.

Finally, it was our turn, the first years. Chairs scraped softly against the polished floor as we stood.

My friends gathered close around , and together we joined the current of students funneling toward the exits.

---

**~Zenon~**

The three of us walked side by side down the long, polished hallway, our steps echoing against the stone floor.

The students behind us were still murmuring, still filing out of the auditorium in neat waves when I completely withdrew my attention from them.

"That girl, Regina is a shaless, crafty thief," Lennon broke the silence first, his tone edged with disdain.

"Always trying to reap where she never sowed. Did you see the way she stood there, smiling as though Kathryn’s legacy belonged to her?"

His words were sharp, as every syllable laced with irritation. "That thing is desperate for the lilight," he continued, almost spitting the words. "And this ti she used Elira’s late mother to steal so glory for herself."

Rennon’s steady voice cut in almost imdiately. "Elira must have felt bad, sitting there and just watching it."

I kept my gaze forward and my expression unreadable. "Feeling bad won’t change anything," I said with a firm and clipped voice.

"But perhaps this is exactly what Elira needs. Watching Regina grasp at false glory might be the push that forces her to stop hiding, and to stop shrinking into herself. Weakness has no place in her."

My brothers glanced at briefly, but I didn’t falter. "Elira is not ant to be in the shadows," I added, my tone leaving no room for doubt.

Rennon inclined his head slightly, his agreent quiet but certain. "You are right. Her destiny is far too bright for that. Staying in the shadows will only kill it."

Lennon smirked faintly, but his eyes burned with conviction as he placed his hands casually behind his head. "Then, we won’t let her remain there."

We turned a corner, the murmur of students fading behind us when Rennon spoke again with his usual quietness.

"I’ve been training Elira privately," he said, almost as though it were an afterthought. "In the smaller training hall. Every day, after her classes, for the past month."

Both Lennon and I stopped in our tracks. My brows rose slightly before I shifted my gaze toward him. "You’ve what?"

Lennon gave a short laugh, his eyes flashing with surprise. "You sneaky bastard. You’ve been keeping that from us?"

Rennon’s calm expression didn’t waver as he adjusted his glasses. "It wasn’t sothing to broadcast. She needed a steady start. And she’s doing her best."

I didn’t trust that, so I folded my arms. "What’s her progress?"

He nodded once. "She’s learning the techniques well. Once she polishes her form, her punches will be powerful enough."

A flicker of pride crossed Lennon’s face. "That’s our Elira," he said smugly. "Then I will be the next one to train her privately."

I didn’t answer at once. My mind supplied the obvious truth. If Lennon was left alone with her, discipline would be the first thing he tossed aside. Imdiately, I made a ntal note to speak to him later.

Then, I said evenly, "It’s good for her to experience training under all three of us. She will be able to pick up different techniques and different styles. It will make her stronger."

Silence followed as soon as I finished. Wondering the reason for that, I looked up only to find both Rennon and Lennon staring at .

"What?" My brows furrowed. "Why are you both looking at like that?"

Rennon blinked once, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. "Nothing."

Contrary to his composure, Lennon smirked, tilting his head at . "Well, well. And here I thought soone had no romantic interest in our mate."

"Lennon," Rennon sighed, the na carrying a familiar warning.

I scowled. "Your head is filled with nothing but nonsense."

Lennon lifted both hands in mock surrender, though his grin only deepened.

"Hey, don’t glare at like that. Soone among us has to remind her that we are not just her professors. We are her mates, her romantic partners. Not walking textbooks with legs."

Rennon gave him a look over the rim of his glasses, equal parts disapproval and resignation.

"You don’t need to blur the line every chance you get. She’s still adjusting, Lennon. Pushing too much will only complicate things."

"And holding back too much will make her forget," Lennon countered smoothly.

I exhaled, sharp and controlled, refusing to be pulled into another of his endless debates.

"Enough. This isn’t about who gets to play the affectionate fool. It’s about her training. If she’s going to survive in this world, she needs balance."

Rennon’s gaze softened thoughtfully. "We will let her learn each of our thods as you suggested. My approach is structured, foundation before flare."

"And mine," Lennon interjected proudly, "is instinct and speed. Though it is practical and ssy, it is still effective."

Then they both looked at , waiting for my response. I kept my tone firm.

"Mine is discipline and precision, strategy before movent. She will need all three. Otherwise, she will lean too heavily on one style and expose her weaknesses."

For a mont, the hallway was quiet except for the sound of our footsteps echoing against the stone.

Then Rennon inclined his head. "Agreed. Balance will shape her best."

"Fine," Lennon muttered, though a mischievous spark lingered in his eyes. "But don’t complain if she enjoys my lessons more than yours."

I didn’t bother answering. His need for the last word wasn’t worth entertaining.

---

**~Elira**~

By the ti we were finally back in our dorm, I dropped onto my bunk with a long breath, half-expecting to drift into nothingness for a while.

Juniper stretched out in her chair, folding her arms over the desk. "Well, we’ve got about two hours and thirty minutes before dinner. That’s a decent stretch of free ti."

Then her eyes flicked around the room like she was asuring us all up. "So... what do we do with it?"

Nari instantly perked up. "Movie night!" She was already fiddling with her tablet, her grin wide.

Cambria smiled faintly. "Or we could just go sit by the fountain outside. It’s been warm all afternoon."

Before I could even think of throwing in my suggestion, Tamryn’s steady voice cut across the room like a bell. "Not you, Elira."

I blinked, caught mid-thought. "?"

Her gaze sharpened. "Yes, you. Don’t get any ideas about following them. You’ve got math to learn, rember?"

My lips parted, then pressed shut. Right. Math. Tamryn had promised to tutor today. I had almost forgotten.

Heat rose to my cheeks as the others turned their gazes on . Nari tried to hide a laugh behind her palm, while Juniper’s expression carried the faintest hint of sympathy.

I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly. "I wasn’t going to—" I stopped halfway, realizing my lie was too obvious. "Okay, maybe I was."

Tamryn raised a brow, unimpressed. "Well, don’t. You will thank later when you are not failing tests."

A groan escaped before I could catch it, but beneath it all was sothing else—relief. Relief that soone was holding accountable, keeping steady when my thoughts kept spinning off in too many directions.

"Fine," I muttered, though I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips.