CHAPTER 108: A PERFECT DAY

{Elira}

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Juniper’s voice cut through the quiet little bubble I’d been in. "Alright, what are you smiling about?"

I blinked at her after being caught. The warmth from Selene’s presence still hummed in my chest, and I wasn’t ready to share it—not yet.

I shook my head with a faint smirk. "Nothing."

Tamryn stretched her arms above her head, her tone brisk. "Well, whatever it is, it’s time to clean up this room before dinner."

A groan threatened to escape me. My body felt pleasantly heavy from the nap, but my stomach growled like it had been starved all day.

’Clean first or eat first?’ The answer was obvious.

"I’m grabbing a snack," I announced, pushing myself up from the bed. My feet padded over to my shelf, and I pulled out a packet of nut bars and dried fruit. "Anyone want some?"

Cambria and Juniper’s hands went up instantly, like schoolchildren volunteering for something fun. They made their way over, smiling as I split the snacks into neat little piles for them.

Nari lingered by her bed before strolling over, sighing dramatically. "Ugh. I’m hungry, but I can’t eat now—I’m watching my weight."

But her eyes flicked toward my shelf. "You have any candies?"

I nodded, opening the shelf again and fishing out a small bag of wrapped sweets. I poured a few into her palm.

"Bless you," she said with exaggerated sincerity, before sashaying back toward her corner with the others.

I polished off my snack in quick bites, the salty-sweet taste filling me with just enough energy to move. Then I grabbed the cleaning supplies and joined Juniper and Cambria in the bathroom.

The work was rhythmic—scrubbing tiles, rinsing sinks, wiping mirrors until they gleamed. By the time we’d worked through the bathroom and the rest of the room, over thirty minutes had vanished, and my stomach was practically gnawing at itself.

We freshened up, trading spots in front of the mirror until we were all satisfied enough to head out.

The cafeteria was alive with warm light and the mingled scents of roasted meat, fresh bread, and sizzling oil.

Tonight’s spread seemed designed for hunters—platters of grilled chicken, beef skewers, roasted fish with lemon, and even glossy-fried drumsticks glistening under the heat lamps.

"Too many choices," Nari muttered, standing in front of the serving counter like a general surveying a battlefield.

"I know," I admitted, staring at the rows of protein like each one was trying to seduce me.

Cambria glanced back over her shoulder, already assembling her plate. "Elira, stick to proteins and veggies. You will need them now."

"Definitely," Tamryn added, her tone firm but not unkind. "You’ve got to take care of your diet and start exercising more often, now that you can wolf out."

I knew they were right, even if my appetite didn’t match the idea of a heaping plate. Still, I forced myself to make thoughtful choices—two types of grilled meat, one fried, a serving of roasted fish.

I added two scoops of boiled purple rice and a drizzle of light gravy for warmth.

At the drink machine, the chilled bottles of water fogged in the cool air, and I grabbed one, condensation already beading on the surface.

Our favourite table—the one by the far window with its view of the dusky sky—was miraculously empty today even though were a few minutes late.

We slid into our seats, trays clinking softly against the polished wood.

Nari had barely swallowed her first bite before her gaze found me. "So... did you finally meet your wolf in dreamland?"

The question pulled a small smile from me. I set down my fork. "Yeah. I did." I paused, letting the moment linger a little before I added, "Her name is Selene."

All four of them perked up at that, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and approval.

"Ooh, pretty," Juniper said, her voice lilting.

"My wolf’s name is Lyanna," Cambria offered, her tone calm and warm.

"Mine’s Vega," Nari said with a little proud tilt of her chin.

Tamryn smirked faintly. "Serac," she said simply.

"And mine’s Isolde," Juniper added quickly, as though she couldn’t bear to be left out of the little name-sharing circle.

Cambria leaned forward slightly. "Fortunately for you, with the general practical Science of Scent & Tracking course on Wednesday, Selene can help you out."

I gave her a small nod. "Hopefully."

I didn’t want to admit out loud that I was afraid to hope too much. The sting of past embarrassments was still too fresh, and I didn’t want to feel that crushing disappointment again.

As I ate, my mind wandered toward Wednesday—imagining the course, the eyes watching me, the pressure to perform.

Silently, I sent a small prayer up to the Moon goddess: "Help me again, like you did today."

Nari broke into my thoughts. "Speaking of plans... we need to talk about tomorrow? Any other ideas apart from what Tamryn and Juniper suggested on Monday?"

Silence fell around the table. I glanced down at my plate. I didn’t know this place well enough to suggest anything.

Nari didn’t seem fazed. She gave a little shrug and said, "Alright, then. I say we go shopping too—get some supplies while we’re at it."

Cambria and Juniper exchanged quick, excited glances, but Tamryn rolled her eyes. "Shopping is tiring and boring."

Nari met her gaze head-on, voice sharp but playful. "No, study is what’s boring and tiring."

"If you like, don’t study," Tamryn shot back, "and then you will fail and get thrown out of ESA."

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. ’How on earth did a perfectly harmless conversation turn into a skirmish?’

Cambria sighed and glanced between the two of them. "Weren’t we planning tomorrow? How did this turn into... whatever this is?"

Nari looked away, clearing her throat. Then she turned to the rest of us. "Alright. Apart from Tamryn, anyone object to shopping?"

No one raised a hand. I certainly didn’t. Shopping wasn’t my passion, but I’d enjoyed it the two times Lennon and Rennon had taken me out.

Tamryn gave a small huff. "I’m not against shopping. I’m just saying it’s tiring and boring for me."

Nari accepted that with a nod and moved on.

"Okay. So here’s tomorrow’s plan: after breakfast in the cafeteria, we hit the museum to check out the new supernatural artefacts—Tamryn’s idea. Then we leave school for lunch, then go shopping. After that, we will go to the park and run in wolf form to stretch our bones. Finally, dinner at the rooftop restaurant in Silverlight Square—the one Juniper suggested—before heading back to school."

The table hummed with approval. I had to admit, it sounded like a perfect day.

Still, one question nagged at me. "Uh... how exactly are we leaving the school? Since cabs and rickshaws can’t enter the grounds—and the dorm to the gate is kind of far."

The distance was like a short road trip.

At my question, Cambria, Nari, and Juniper all turned to look at Tamryn at the exact same time.

I looked between the three of them. "What? Why are you all looking at her?" Then back at Tamryn. "Seriously... what am I missing here?"

Tamryn’s fork paused mid-air, her expression flattening like she had just been caught in a trap she saw coming a mile away.

Cambria was the first to speak, her tone deceptively casual. "Well... someone here has a very handsome brother."

Juniper’s grin was wicked. "Very handsome. And very much in possession of a nice car."

My brows rose slowly. "And that... someone is Tamryn?"

Tamryn sighed, stabbing her food a little harder than necessary. "I knew you three would never let this go."

Cambria leaned forward, her eyes glinting. "You can’t blame us for remembering. He was the one who dropped you off your first day here."

Juniper clasped her hands together dramatically. "Looking like he had just walked out of a high-end fashion ad."

Nari smirked. "And you conveniently never mentioned him again."

Tamryn rolled her eyes. "Because he’s my brother. Not your personal chauffeur."

Cambria ignored the protest entirely. "So... here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to call him tonight. And tomorrow morning, he’s going to pick us up after breakfast and our tour at the museum."

Tamryn looked ready to argue, but Juniper spoke before she could.

"Think of it this way—you will save us the long walk to the gate, and you will save yourself from Nari complaining about her feet before we even get to lunch."

"I do not complain about my feet that much," Nari muttered, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.

I tilted my head, watching Tamryn carefully. She was fighting to look annoyed, but there was a tiny twitch at the corner of her mouth—betraying just the faintest smirk.

Finally, she gave a resigned sigh. "Fine. But if he says no, you all better be ready to walk."

Cambria and Juniper exchanged victorious glances, Nari grinned, and I just shook my head, smiling into my food.