CHAPTER 53: LATE BLOOMER

{Elira}

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"Honey, an omega will always be an omega," she said, shaking her head. "Doesn’t matter how much you know or how confident you act. Everyone can still smell what you really are from miles away."

Heat crawled up my neck and spread across my cheeks. I dropped my gaze to my half-eaten cake, willing the sting behind my eyes to fade.

In that moment, it felt like every word they said was true. And maybe it was pathetic to even think knowledge could change how the world saw me.

Just then, Tamryn’s voice, low and slightly husky, cut through the mocking laughter. "Seems like you’re quite popular on your first day, just because you’re an Omega," she said, not looking at me but fixing her gaze somewhere over my shoulder.

My brows drew together, confused by what she meant.

Before I could ask, I noticed Cambria, Nari, and Juniper glancing subtly around the cafeteria. Following their gaze, I realized why.

More students were staring at me. Their faces were unreadable: curiosity, disdain, and something else I couldn’t name.

Nari’s voice was lighter this time, but no less sharp. "Thanks to you, we will finally get the attention of the Student Council."

Tamryn’s eyes narrowed. "It’s not a good thing to get their attention in this way," she said, her voice almost a warning.

Juniper’s quiet agreement added weight to Tamryn’s words.

My appetite drained out of me, leaving behind only a heavy, sick feeling in my stomach. My fork lay useless in my hand.

Just as the silence at our table thickened into something suffocating, Cambria’s voice sliced through, low and annoyed. "No one forced you three to sit here, remember?" she snapped.

For a breath, none of them replied.

I lowered my head further, pressing my lips together. But at least, in that moment, I was grateful for Cambria—quietly, fiercely, standing by.

Then, Cambria noticed how I’d only been playing with my fork, pushing food from one side of my plate to the other.

Her voice cut softly through my thoughts. "Elira, you need to eat something," she urged. "We have a long night ahead of us—studying takes real energy."

I blinked and glanced at her, still holding my fork mid-air. But she didn’t look away; she leaned in a bit closer.

"And don’t think you can just rely on junk food for late nights," she added, almost teasing but serious enough. "You will end up with a bloated tummy—and that’s no fun."

Across the table, Nari, Juniper, and Tamryn went on eating silently, as though the biting words from earlier had never been said.

Cambria’s quiet insistence, though, pulled me back to myself.

She was right. Skipping dinner over a few harsh words wouldn’t help me, and it wasn’t like I’d eaten much at all today.

So I forced myself to stop twirling my fork and actually took a proper bite.

When dinner ended, I half‑expected Nari, Juniper, and Tamryn to get up and stride off without a glance back. But to my surprise, they lingered, waiting as Cambria and I gathered our trays.

And together, all five of us walked to return them, side by side.

The halls outside the cafeteria hummed with voices, laughter, and footsteps as other students made their way back to the dorms.

When we reached our door, Nari fished out her key and unlocked it, then pushed the door open. The rest of us trailed in behind her.

Inside, everyone seemed to fall into a practiced routine. Tamryn headed for her desk immediately; Juniper stretched her arms, bones cracking faintly; Nari tied her loosed hair with a scrunchie.

I quietly slipped my meal ticket into my safe shelf, locking it away.

Cambria stopped at my bed with two slim notebooks in hand. "Here," she said, pressing them into my palms. "These are my notes for Werewolf History and Power Channelling. Use them to catch up."

Grateful warmth spread through my chest. "Thank you," I breathed, the words almost too small for how much relief I felt.

Cambria only smiled. "Don’t worry," she said. "Two or three professors can teach the same course, but each covers different topics. So even if your notes look a bit mismatched, that’s normal."

But she didn’t stop there.

"Power Channelling class is my favourite as that’s when we all get to use our powers." Her tone turned almost playful as she made gestures with her hands. "You want to hear something fun?"

She tilted her head toward Nari first. "She has a persuasion gift—she can compel people to do things. Juniper here has super strength."

"And Tamryn," Cambria nodded toward the desk, "has a furnace ability. She’s always warm, which makes her... well, a bit moody sometimes. But she can start a fire when she wants to."

"And what about you?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"I see things," Cambria answered, softer now. "Dreams. Glimpses of what might happen, or what someone hides."

Her eyes flickered, like a candle caught by wind. "But it’s not all‑knowing. I get only a few real visions in a year."

I listened, amazed—and a little envious, too. They all had something powerful, something extraordinary. No wonder they all seemed so confident in themselves.

Cambria went on, more serious this time. "Even so, none of us is at our full potential. Nari can’t compel people stronger than her; Tamryn can’t burn down a forest—yet. Juniper can lift heavy things, but she can’t win every fight."

She let out a small laugh. "And me? I can’t force the future to show itself."

I found myself thinking about the triplet brothers and what supernatural powers they might have. They must be incredible to watch when they truly use their powers.

Just then, Nari’s voice broke through my thoughts. "Heh, new girl," she called, snapping her fingers.

Cambria corrected her once again, "Nari, her name is so easy to learn. Elira."

Nari rolled her eyes. Then she looked down at me, a sharp curiosity in her stare. "So, Elira—what’s your superpower?"

The second she asked that question, the other three faces turned to me.

I opened my mouth... but nothing came. The truth weighed heavily in my chest.

"I... I don’t know," I murmured at last.

Silence answered me, sinking into the corners of the room.

I lowered my gaze, feeling my own words settle over me like a dark cloak.

For the first time in a while, I felt utterly useless—surrounded by girls with fire and visions and strength and command... and I had nothing.

Nari tilted her head, studying me with that sharp look of hers. "Don’t tell me ESA admitted an Omega who doesn’t even have a supernatural ability."

Cambria shot her a glare, her lips pressed tight.

Nari only shrugged, lifting her hands lightly. "What? I’m not insulting her this time. I’m genuinely curious."

Cambria’s gaze softened as she turned back to me, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. "Maybe you’re just a late bloomer," she said gently.

I would like to think so too, but the truth gnawed quietly at me—I wasn’t even sure anymore.

As if my mood wasn’t already sinking, Juniper spoke up, her tone cool and direct. "How’s your relationship with your wolf?"

I hesitated only a moment. Then I thought, what use was hiding the truth now?

"She’s... she seems like the silent type," I admitted, voice low. "She’s only spoken to me twice."