A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs-Chapter 67: Zenon Wants to Know

{Elira}

~**^**~

Halfway through my meal, just as I was biting into my cheeseburger slider, it hit me.

Oh—the pictures.

I quickly wiped my fingers on the serviette and reached for my phone, angling it above my tray.

I took two quick photos and didn’t even try to make it artsy—just a straight-on shot of what was left of my dinner.

Then, I tapped into the group chat—just the three of us there: Lennon, Rennon, and me—and dropped the photos with a simple caption:

Me: [Dinner.]

I set the phone aside and returned to my food, relieved that, thankfully, no one had noticed or asked this time.

Maybe Nari was too busy with her own plate, or maybe they just didn’t care anymore. Either way, I was grateful for the peace.

I had just taken the last spoonful of coleslaw when it happened.

Cambria nudged my tray and placed two BBQ beef meatballs in the corner. "You need more," she said casually.

"Cambria—" I started, but Juniper was already sliding one of her salsa chicken baked tacos toward me.

Then Tamryn, silent as always, spooned a generous portion of her cashew chicken and peppers beside the others.

I blinked at the pile growing on my tray.

"You... you don’t have to—"

But they didn’t let me finish. It was as if a silent agreement had been passed between them to feed the weakling.

Still stunned, I smiled, pressing a hand to my chest. "Thank you."

Three voices brushed me off like it was nothing. The fourth voice, though, was silent.

I didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

But just as I thought we were done, the table went quiet. I turned, and sure enough, all three of them—Cambria, Juniper, and Tamryn—had their gazes fixed on Nari.

She blinked at us as she slowly chewed on the food in her mouth, eyes wide and mock-innocent.

"What?" she said. "Why is everyone looking at me like I’m a bad parent who forgot to pack lunch?"

Juniper narrowed her eyes at her. "Do something human for once."

Before I could say ’really, it’s fine,’ because I wouldn’t be able to tolerate any condescending remarks, Nari grabbed her spoon, muttered something under her breath, and dropped two scoops of rice into my tray.

"There," she said, popping her lollipop back in. "Better gain some nutrients after eating my food."

I stared at the rice, then at her face.

Cambria cackled. "It’s just rice, Nari. Calm down. You shouldn’t be making noise about it."

"If it were you, I would’ve taken it back by now," Nari shot back without skipping a beat.

Cambria shrugged. "Then you will just have to wait until that glorious day."

I shook my head, suppressing a smile as I picked up my cutlery again.

No, I hadn’t expected this kind gesture from all of them. Not even a little.

I had thought that I would leave the cafeteria with a half-filled stomach, but instead... I was full. Too full, if anything.

A few minutes later, we finished up and walked back to our dorm together, everyone chatting about random things—field trips, classes, why the school’s cheesecake wasn’t real cheesecake.

We still had twenty minutes left before our study session. That was barely enough time to lie down, let alone nap. But I had something more important to do.

The moment I sat on my bed, Cambria walked over and gently passed her phone to me.

"Elira, please put your number," she said. "So it will be easier to reach you at any point."

I blinked. "Oh. Right."

I keyed in my number and handed her phone back.

Almost immediately, my phone rang with a number I didn’t recognize. I picked it up and looked at the string of digits.

"That’s me," Cambria said with a small smile.

I nodded and saved it quickly.

Then Juniper walked over, holding her phone out. "Give me yours too."

Before I knew it, all five of us were exchanging contacts. Even Nari stepped forward, her expression unreadable.

I gave it to her anyway.

Tamryn, who barely spoke, quietly typed her number into my phone without saying a word, then handed it back to me.

When the exchange was done, Cambria handed her notebooks to me. "Here," she said. "Combat Tactics and Werewolf History. Make good use of them."

"Thank you," I whispered, taking the books with both hands.

I added my own notebooks, pen, and student ID card to the growing pile beside me, then sat down and took a breath.

I opened my phone again and saw a text from Lennon.

Lennon: [Did you finish your dinner?]

I smiled softly, then typed back:

Me: [Yes, I did. Thanks for checking.]

I almost added ’I even ate extra’ but stopped myself. It was weirdly embarrassing.

Lennon didn’t reply after that, so I assumed he was busy.

I set the phone aside and walked into the bathroom to freshen up one last time before study hour.

When I returned, the others were already gathering their materials, student IDs tucked under their arms.

We filed out together.

---

The moment we returned to our dorm after three long hours of study, I felt the weight of exhaustion finally catch up to me. My eyes stung, and my fingers felt stiff from all the writing.

But there were still minutes left before lights out, so I dropped my ID card and notebook on my reading desk, climbed into bed, and unlocked my phone.

A new notification sat at the top of my screen.

[You’ve been added to a group chat by Tamryn.]

I blinked.

Opening it, I found myself staring at a group titled ’Dorm Room 312’, with only five members: Me, Cambria, Tamryn, Juniper, and—of course—Nari.

There were a few welcome messages already sitting there.

Cambria: [finally (Adds a smiling emoji).]

Juniper: [Welcome to the chaos.]

Tamryn: [Shows a thumbs up emoji.]

Nari: [Shows a bored emoji.]

I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped my lips. Of course, Nari would send a sleepy emoji like she was being forced to acknowledge me under duress.

Still, I typed out a reply quickly:

Me: [Thanks, everyone.]

And then, I backed out and switched to my chat with Lennon and Rennon. The moment the screen loaded, more messages came into view.

Lennon: [Did you make it through study session without thinking about our hug earlier today?]

A blush crept up my cheeks. I had almost forgotten about it.

Rennon: [Ignore him, Elira. He’s just being annoying. Also, Zenon wants to know if you’ve been catching up with classes and notes.]

I paused, my thumbs hovering over the keyboard.

Zenon wants to know...

That line stuck with me more than I wanted to admit.

He could have joined the group and messaged me, or even texted me directly. So why send Rennon instead?

Was he too busy? Or... was I just not worth the effort?

Most times, I can’t really depict Zenon’s thoughts. One moment he is warm and the next, he is cold.

It is hard to keep up with him.

Still, I typed back:

Me: [I’ve been catching up. Cambria lent me her notes.]

I hesitated again before hitting send.

My brows furrowed slightly. I didn’t want to sound too clipped or cold, but I also didn’t know what else to say.

But I couldn’t help wondering it this was Zenon’s way of checking in on me, or if this was just a formality.

Either way, he didn’t comfort me. And I had no idea if he had heard from his brothers about what happened to me earlier today.

I typed again:

Me: [Goodnight, Lennon. Goodnight Rennon.]

I set the phone down and crawled fully under the duvet, turning my face to the wall.

Then, I told myself not to overthink or let my thoughts spiral again.

---

The next morning, I woke up before the alarm.

Somehow, I had gotten used to the rhythm of this place. And yet, as I pulled on my uniform and laced up my shoes, I could feel the nerves crawling up my spine again.

My chest felt tight.

Today, I’d face my classmates again. The same people who had laughed at me. Whose eyes had burned holes into me during the Power Channelling Class.

I clenched my fists slightly.

No. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me shaken. I won’t give them the opportunity to make fun of me and break me.

And there was one way to achieve that, by walking into classroom a minute before the professor arrived.

---

At breakfast, I focused on the simple comfort of food. Warm oats topped with fruits, a thick slice of freshly baked sardine bread, and a steaming glass of hot chocolate.

Cambria sat beside me, silently refilling my cup when I wasn’t paying attention. Tamryn passed me extra jam. Juniper reminded Nari not to talk with her mouth full.

It was... normal. Comforting.

After breakfast, we left the cafeteria together and split up at the Academic building.

"See you later," Cambria said with a smile, giving me a small wave.

I waved back, then turned toward the locker hallway. It wasn’t too crowded yet, but it was noisy. Students moved past in a blur of uniforms and chattering voices.

And then I saw a flash of red.

I blinked and slowed to a stop.

There—right on the centre of my locker door—was a small, neatly placed red envelope. No frills. Just plain, thick paper sealed tightly.