{Elira}
~**^**~
The walk to the dining hall felt heavier tonight.
My mind was still tangled in the earlier promise of change — the new lessons, the hope of ESA. And then... Regina.
She just had to show up now, to unearth my nerves.
When I stepped into the dining hall, Alpha Cyprus and the brothers had just arrived, too.
I dipped my head and greeted them softly.
Alpha Cyprus answered with his usual calm warmth, but sothing in his gaze felt clouded, like a quiet storm behind kind eyes.
And the triplets... Lennon’s brows were faintly furrowed; Rennon’s calm felt strained, and Zenon... well, Zenon had never once looked happy since I ca here.
We all took our seats. The empty chairs beside felt like gaps that could swallow air — until footsteps and laughter spilt into the room.
I lifted my head just in ti to see Luna Gwenith walk in, a soft smile on her lips. And beside her was Regina.
The laugh died on Regina’s lips when our eyes t. My chest tightened.
She walked with confidence, her chin lifted slightly, like nothing had happened. Nothing at all.
Luna Gwenith slid gracefully into her seat at Alpha Cyprus’s right. Then, in a warm tone I’d never heard her use for , she told Regina,
"Co, dear. Sit next to ."
Regina’s steps were quick, her face bright. "Thank you, Luna," she said, her voice light with gratitude.
She took the empty seat between us.
I lowered my head at once, fingers curling into tight fists under the tablecloth.
Her scent — familiar, powdery and sharp — crawled into my nose, making my stomach churn.
How?
How could this house welco my attacker and seat her at the sa table, next to ?
Do they not believe ?
I kept my gaze fixed on my empty plate, refusing to look up.
Sowhere across from , I could feel the brothers’ eyes — but I didn’t dare et them.
I was too afraid of what I’d see there.
Then Alpha Cyprus’s voice broke the tense silence, calm but edged with sothing unmistakable.
"Gwen, what is she doing here?"
I felt Regina stiffen beside .
My heart stuttered, but I lifted my head a little, still keeping my eyes low.
Luna Gwenith answered gently, her tone smooth as silk. "Regina reached out to , Alpha. She felt terrible about what happened to her cousin and wanted to apologize. So, I invited her over."
Alpha Cyprus’s gaze sharpened. "Could that apology not wait until tomorrow? Why must she visit at this hour?"
Rennon’s voice joined in, calm but cutting. "Is she here to apologize, or to have dinner? Because I heard she arrived over thirty minutes ago."
For a mont, Regina’s fingers froze on the tablecloth.
Luna Gwenith’s voice grew faintly sharper. "Rennon, why say that? She didn’t hurt Elira — it was her servant. Regina is only being courteous."
A loud slap cracked against the polished wood dining table.
Lennon had slamd his palm on the table, making the silverware tremble.
He leaned forward, eyes burning into Regina, then at his mother.
"Really? Did this liar say that?" His voice shook slightly. "And if you believed her, Mother... I’m disappointed in you."
"Lennon," Alpha Cyprus’s tone was firm, a quiet rebuke.
Lennon exhaled hard, leaning back. Fury still rippled in every line of his shoulders.
Then Alpha Cyprus turned fully to Luna Gwenith, his voice cold as steel.
"This is the last ti she will co into my ho uninvited and stay the night," he said.
Luna Gwenith’s lips parted, but he didn’t let her speak.
"And if Regina must visit," he continued, "her visit will be monitored. She has no business here, apart from seeing her cousin — who, clearly, is not comfortable with her presence."
The air felt like it might shatter.
"And rember," he added, his gaze falling on both Luna Gwenith and Regina, "Regina no longer has ties to any of my sons, except as their student. Her visits will be limited, and I will be inford beforehand."
A minute silence followed.
Even the servants dared not breathe too loudly.
I couldn’t move. My heart drumd so loudly, it felt as though everyone could hear.
Alpha Cyprus had done it again: he’d stood by . Openly. Strongly.
My chest ward with quiet relief. But I kept my head low, letting only my eyes betray the tide of emotion swelling beneath.
Alpha Cyprus prayed for the food, and the clink of cutlery replaced words.
Regina didn’t touch her spoon at first. Her fingers trembled faintly, her face pale under the soft lights. But after a minute, she picked up her spoon, but barely touched her food — just stirring, playing with it.
I watched her from the corner of my eye, and for once, I didn’t feel guilty.
Now she knows what it feels like to sit at a table where most hearts are closed to you.
After dinner, I showered slowly, letting the hot water rinse away the tightness in my chest.
I wore the nightdress Rennon had chosen for weeks ago, its fabric soft on my skin.
When I finally slid under my warm covers, the tension of the evening slowly ebbed, leaving quiet gratitude in its place.
---
The next morning, Regina did not appear for breakfast. A maid whispered that she’d left before dawn.
I chewed slowly, a faint satisfaction blooming inside.
Regina, who had made others small with her presence, could not bear the sa weight on her own shoulders after being told off by the Alpha.
At least she understood to leave where she isn’t wanted.
Zenon, Lennon, and Rennon took their places as always. Alpha Cyprus led the morning prayer.
I ate, drank my dicine, and pushed every thought of Regina from my mind. I had to focus on studying, passing her exams and getting into ESA.
After breakfast, Rennon leaned slightly towards the table, his tone gentle.
"Elira, are you ready?"
I nodded, my heart beating fast with sothing like hope.
He stood. "Co. Let’s start your first lesson."
I rose from my chair and followed Rennon out of the dining hall. Finally, today, my story was starting to move forward by my own design.
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