A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs-Chapter 169: They Missed Me

{Elira}

~**^**~

The moment I stepped out of the classroom, a blur of movement rushed at me.

"Elira!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Before I could blink, Nari’s arms wrapped around me, nearly knocking the air from my lungs. Tamryn joined in, steadier but no less warm, and then Cambria and Juniper completed the circle.

The tightness in my chest cracked. For a moment, I let myself melt into their embrace, caught off guard by how much I had missed them, too.

"We missed you so much," Nari groaned, pulling back just enough to pout at me. "Do you know how boring the dorm was without you?"

Juniper smirked. "It was quieter, at least."

Nari gasped, shoving her shoulder playfully. "That’s not the point."

I laughed softly, my nerves loosening a fraction. "It was just a day."

"A day too long," Tamryn countered, her smile softer but just as sincere.

As we started toward the cafeteria, Nari looped her arm through mine again. "So—did you at least bring us something back?"

I blinked. "Bring you something?"

"Yeah!" she said, eyes sparkling. "Snacks, trinkets, something shiny to prove you were thinking of us while you were off being mysterious."

"I didn’t exactly go shopping," I said with a small smile.

"Figures," Juniper muttered, though the corner of her mouth twitched.

Cambria studied me more closely, her head tilting slightly. "Still... you feel different."

Tamryn nodded, her brow furrowing as if she were trying to put it into words. "She is right. It’s like your aura shifted. It doesn’t feel... ordinary."

My heart skipped, but I forced my expression to stay curious, even playful. "How?"

Cambria hesitated, her lips parting before closing again. "I don’t know how to explain it. But it’s there. Like you are not the same Elira you were last week."

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Maybe you all just missed me too much. You are imagining things."

They exchanged glances, unconvinced, but no one pressed further. And for that, I was grateful.

Together, we made it to the cafeteria, grabbed our food trays and found our way to our usual table,

Nari slid into the seat beside me, still clinging to my arm like she was afraid I would vanish again.

Juniper unwrapped her lunch with a smirk. "So, Elira, did you miss us? Or were you too busy enjoying your secret little break?"

I rolled my eyes lightly. "Of course, I missed you."

"Good answer," Nari said, leaning her head against my shoulder.

"Too sweet," Juniper muttered, but there was no bite in her voice.

Cambria, though, wasn’t letting me off so easily. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked softly, "So... where did you really go yesterday? You said you would tell us."

I tensed, remembering my promise. "Tonight," I said, giving her a small smile. "I will explain everything after dinner. I swear."

They nodded, though curiosity still shimmered in their eyes.

It was Tamryn who shifted the subject, her fork clinking softly against her tray. "Speaking of explanations—did you hear what the new update announced this morning?"

My stomach sank. "About the contests starting?"

She nodded grimly. "Yes. This evening. Random names."

Nari groaned, slumping against the table dramatically. "I hate it already. What if they call Elira’s name today? She barely has time to breathe, let alone fight."

"Exactly," Tamryn agreed, her tone clipped. "Even strong fighters need time to prepare their minds and bodies. Four weeks isn’t much, but it’s better than being thrown in cold."

Cambria reached across the table, brushing her fingers gently against mine. "We will be praying your name doesn’t get called today. If you get just a few days, it will help. You will find your footing."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod. "Yeah... let’s hope."

Juniper’s gaze softened, steady and grounding. "But even if your name does get called, don’t panic. We will be rooting for you no matter what happens."

Their support wrapped around me like warmth I didn’t deserve, steadying me when my chest still felt too tight.

"Thanks," I said quietly, managing a small smile. "Really."

But deep inside, the words of my professor still echoed like a drumbeat. And I couldn’t shake the fear that my name might be the very first called.

Forcing down a few bites of rice, I leaned back and glanced at them. "So... what did you all get up to yesterday while I was gone?"

Nari’s hand shot up like she was answering a question in class. "First, we went for smoothies again—without you, sadly—and then we just wandered around the park. Juniper complained about the heat the entire time."

Juniper arched a brow. "Because it was hot. I’m not a fan of sweating for no reason."

"We also stopped by the arcade," Cambria added, a faint smile on her lips. "Nari insisted we all try the claw machine."

"And I won something!" Nari beamed, holding up her phone case with the little plush keychain dangling from it. "See? Pure talent."

"Pure luck," Tamryn corrected. "I watched her lose three times before that one win."

Nari gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Traitor."

Their laughter bubbled around the table, and for the first time all day, I felt my own lips curve into a real smile.

I hadn’t realized how badly I had needed this normal conversation, easy laughter, and the feeling of belonging.

"Sounds like I really did miss a lot," I said softly.

Tamryn set her fork down and looked at me steadily. "Will you be training with the brothers after second classes today?"

I nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Yeah. They expect me there."

Nari let out a dramatic groan, flopping forward onto the table. "Again? Can’t they give you one day off? It’s like they’re trying to steal you away from us."

A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it. "I’ll only be gone an hour. Then I’ll be back at the dorm before you know it."

She peeked up at me with wide, exaggerated puppy eyes. "You promise?"

I smiled and reached over to nudge her shoulder. "I promise."

Her grin returned instantly, bright and unbothered, and just like that, the heaviness in my chest eased—if only a little.

---

A few hours later, I pushed open the doors to the small training hall and walked in.

The faint smell of polish and steel lingered in the air, familiar now, but no less intimidating.

The triplets were already waiting—Zenon standing with arms folded, sharp eyes tracking my every move, Rennon adjusting the laces of the training mats, and Lennon twirling a staff like it was nothing more than a toy.

My footsteps echoed as I crossed the floor. "Hello... I’m here."

"You are right on time, Elira," Rennon said, stealing a glance at his wristwatch.

"I think we are good to go," Lennon said.

Just then, Zenon’s firm gaze landed on me. "Listen carefully, Elira."

I paused mid-step.

"Do not attempt to use your powers today." His tone left no room for argument. "Your channels were only just unsealed. If you rush, you will lose control. You need time, patience, and careful instruction. Understood?"

A lump formed in my throat, but I nodded. "Understood."

Lennon’s grin stretched wide, all reckless fire and energy. He leaned the staff against the wall and cracked his knuckles. "Which brings us to today’s fun—me."

I blinked. "You?"

"Yep." He stepped forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "It’s my turn to train you, sweetheart. And trust me, I don’t go easy."

Rennon shot me a look of sympathy from behind his glasses, but he didn’t intervene. Zenon’s silence was consent enough.

My stomach tightened. If Zenon had been merciless, what kind of storm was Lennon about to unleash?

Before I could even think deeply about it, Lennon lunged forward.

"Wait—!" I yelped, stumbling back as his fist cut through the air where my shoulder had been a heartbeat ago.

"No waiting," he said, grin sharp. "Life doesn’t wait, and neither do fights."

His next strike came low, a sweeping kick that knocked my balance. I flailed, barely catching myself on my palms before scrambling upright again.

"Come on, Elira. Move!"

I did—late, always a second too late. His palm brushed past my ribs, then my shoulder, then my arm. Every time I thought I dodged, he was already a step ahead.

"Ah—!" The sound burst out of me as his hand grazed my side again. "You’re insane!"

"And you’re slow," Lennon shot back, dancing around me with effortless speed. "Do you even eat at all? I’ve seen newborn pups with faster reflexes."

My face heated, equal parts exertion and humiliation. I swung clumsily at him, but he ducked easily, laughter spilling out of him.

Rennon’s voice came from the sidelines, calm but useless. "Step to your left before he—"

But it was too late. Lennon’s hand tapped the back of my neck, and I staggered forward with a frustrated groan.

"Listen to him!" Lennon barked, though amusement laced every word. "He’s practically handing you survival."