{Elira}
~**^**~
The family was already seated when I entered. And I can’t tell why I’m usually the last to arrive.
Alpha Cyprus offered his usual warm nod, and I curtsied lightly to him and Luna Gwenith, who ignored .
Then, I took my seat.
As I picked up my spoon, Alpha Cyprus turned his gaze to . "Elira," he began, his voice calm but curious, "how are your lessons so far? Are you understanding the material?"
I straightened my shoulders, hands tightening slightly around the spoon. "Yes, Alpha. I’m trying my best. Rennon and Lennon are... very patient."
Beside him, Lennon huffed a quiet laugh. "She’s doing more than trying," he said, glancing at with a teasing smile that made my heart trip. "She’s picking things up faster than I expected."
My cheeks burned. I lowered my gaze to my plate, but couldn’t stop a small smile from tugging at my lips.
Alpha Cyprus’s eyes softened. "Good. I’m glad to hear that," he said. "You have potential, Elira. Don’t doubt that."
Across the table, Zenon didn’t speak. His gaze felt cold and heavy, like a winter wind brushing my skin. But I told myself not to let it sink into my bones.
Rennon, quiet as always, gave the smallest nod that I caught from the corner of my eye.
After breakfast, my morning lessons with Rennon followed.
Today, we settled in the sa quiet study, sunlight softening the edges of the room.
"We will go deeper into Moon Lore," he explained, arranging notes between us. "And then practice so problem questions."
I listened, pen in hand. He spoke of the old prophecies, of the First Lunar Convergence, of wolves who could once wield fire and shadow.
"History isn’t just stories," Rennon said, his voice low. "It teaches us how power was balanced, and why the laws exist as they do."
I nodded, taking notes carefully, the words strange on my tongue but sohow beautiful.
When I stumbled on a question — how the Convergence wolves were marked — Rennon didn’t sigh or frown. Instead, he tapped the page gently.
"Think. Why were they feared?"
"Because... they could unify rival packs?" I offered, hesitating.
"And?"
"They were said to carry an aura... like blood and fla," I whispered, almost embarrassed.
Rennon’s eyes softened. "Good. Write that down."
An hour later, we switched to arithtic. My pulse spiked. Numbers still tangled in my mind.
When I made a mistake, I bit my lip so hard it hurt.
"Look at ," Rennon said quietly. "Mistakes are how you learn. Try again."
I did. My hand trembled, but I finished the sum. When I got it right, his nod felt like a quiet victory.
By the end of three hours, my mind was warm and heavy with knowledge, but also... hopeful.
"Take a short rest," Rennon told , gathering the papers. "Then we will continue tonight with Lennon."
---
The sun had already dipped low, streaking the sky with gold, when I stepped into Lennon’s study.
Lennon was waiting, one leg hooked over the other, a stack of maps and scrolls beside him.
"Ready?" he asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I think so," I answered, though my heart skittered in my chest.
He leaned forward, voice low and teasing. "Don’t look so scared. It’s just ."
I found myself laughing just a little. "It’s the questions I’m scared of."
"Well, let’s see if that fear is justified," he teased. Then, more seriously, "Show on this map where the first Ashfang settlent was."
I hesitated, tracing my finger along the river bend. "Here?"
His gaze t mine. "Good. And why settle there?"
"Trade... and defence?"
"Right." His praise, quick and bright, lit sothing in my chest.
Lennon’s questions ca faster, his tone shifting between playfulness and sharp focus.
When I answered correctly, his smile was quick and genuine. When I stumbled, his tone softened, saying the sa words from yesterday.
"Breathe, Elira. Start again."
At one point, I mixed up two treaty dates, my cheeks burning.
"Wrong," Lennon said, but his voice was quiet, not mocking. "Now think — what happened first?"
I closed my eyes and replayed yesterday’s lesson. When I opened them, the answer ca.
"That’s it," he said, warmth in his gaze.
When our lesson ended, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
"You survived day two," Lennon teased. "Tomorrow we go even harder."
I nodded, my heart pounding. "Thank you."
He ruffled my hair lightly, the way soone might steady a small fla. "See you later at dinner."
I thanked him, and had just reached the door when he spoke.
"Actually," he said, voice softer now, "co with for a walk first. You’ve been locked inside all day."
My chest lifted, surprised. "A walk?"
He nodded. "Fresh air is part of the study plan, too. Co on."
---
Outside, the evening was quiet and mild, the last of the day’s light catching on the courtyard stones and distant treetops.
We walked side by side, our steps slow, unhurried.
I felt the day’s weight easing off my shoulders with every breath of fresh air.
For a few monts, neither of us spoke. I could feel Lennon glancing at now and then, as though waiting for to break the silence.
Then, his voice, warm and low:
"Elira, in two days, Zenon will also teach you."
My feet nearly stumbled.
"Zenon?" I turned to him, my eyes wide.
Lennon chuckled, as though he’d been expecting my reaction. "Yes. It took so convincing from Rennon and , but he finally agreed."
My heart thudded, nerves prickling at my skin. "H-he agreed?"
"Yes," Lennon repeated, still smiling. "He will cover essay writing and advanced reading. It’s important, especially for the written parts of the entrance exam."
I swallowed. The idea of Zenon — cold, sharp, and so impossible to read — sitting across from with my ssy notes and hesitant words made my palms sweat.
"Don’t look so terrified," Lennon teased, leaning slightly closer.
I lowered my gaze, trying to laugh it off, but it ca out thin. "I’m just... he’s not exactly patient like you and Rennon."
"He won’t kill you, Elira," Lennon said, and to my horror, his hands ca up gently to rest on my shoulders.
He leaned forward, so his face was close to mine, eyes soft but amused. "He might glare, and sigh, and roll his eyes — but he won’t bite."
My lips parted. "You say that, but..."
He chuckled again, a quiet sound that eased a bit of the knot in my chest. "He’ll be harsh, yes. But rember: you’ve survived worse. And if it becos too much, you can always co find or Rennon afterward."
"Won’t bite..." I repeated under my breath, still not entirely convinced.
Lennon raised an eyebrow. "Don’t tell him I said that, though. He’d really bite instead."
A surprised laugh slipped from my lips, lightening the heavy fear that had settled in my stomach. "I won’t."
For a few heartbeats, neither of us spoke. The breeze caught Lennon’s scent — warm, rich, like sandalwood, amber and vanilla and settled around .
Then he straightened, his hands dropping from my shoulders. "Let’s head back," he said, his voice gentle. "You’ve got more lessons tomorrow."
"Yes," I breathed, my pulse finally steadying.
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