CHAPTER 54: GOODNIGHT FROM THE BROTHERS

{Elira}

~**^**~

Juniper’s brow furrowed. "That’s weird," she murmured.

Across from me, Nari gave a small, humourless laugh. "You really are one special student," she said.

I couldn’t even disagree. It dawned on me again, painfully clear, that the only real reason I’d managed to qualify to sit for ESA’s supplementary exams was because of Alpha Cyprus’s influence.

Everyone else seemed to belong—either by blood, by power, or both. And me... I had none of that.

But before my thoughts could spiral too deep, Cambria’s voice pulled me back. She sounded bright, hopeful.

"Don’t worry, Elira—you will get your powers soon. And listen," she leaned closer, "we have Power Channelling class on Thursday. It’s a joint practical for everyone. Maybe the professor can help you there."

A small ray of hope sparked in my chest. "Really?" I asked, almost too quickly.

Cambria nodded, smiling. "But first, you should read the intro part of the course in your notes. Get familiar with it so you’re prepared."

"I will," I said, my voice steadier now.

She patted my shoulder softly. "Good. Now grab your study materials—we should head to the study hall before it’s too crowded."

As I reached for two new notebooks from my shelf, Cambria reminded me, "Don’t forget your student ID—you will need it to check in."

I blinked. "They track attendance at the study hall?"

Cambria chuckled. "Pretty much. It keeps everyone accountable."

---

A few minutes later, we walked together to the study hall. At the front desk, we each brought out our student ID cards. Cambria showed me first, swiping hers across a small scanner, which beeped softly.

I followed her lead, and the little machine blinked green.

Inside, the large hall was already half‑filled. Students in casual clothes carried piles of books, and soft murmurs floated in the air.

Cambria leaned in and whispered, "Feels huge now, but you will get used to it."

Tamryn, silent as ever, led us deeper inside to a row of empty study desks. Each desk had partitioners separating them like little cubicles.

We pulled out chairs and settled down. The partitions meant I couldn’t see the others unless I leaned out to look.

Setting my books and pens on the desk, I was glad to see Cambria had chosen to sit beside me. It felt reassuring, knowing she was right there if I needed help.

That was so thoughtful of her. And through this small gesture, my guards were beginning to loosen up.

The hall was still a bit noisy; we had about ten minutes before study time started.

Cambria leaned out slightly, her voice low. "Three hours sounds long, but it isn’t, trust me. Use your time well."

I nodded, clutching my pen tighter. Just then, a loud alarm echoed through the hall. Instantly, the chatter died, replaced by focused silence.

I took a quiet breath and decided on my strategy. I’d copy Cambria’s notes, splitting my time into two parts: an hour and a half each for Werewolf History & Governance, then Power Channelling.

Starting with the first, I let my pen move steadily across the page. Cambria’s handwriting was so neat it almost felt soothing.

The time slipped by faster than I realized. At the halfway mark, I set that notebook aside, shaking out my wrist, and moved on to Power Channelling.

As I copied, I absorbed what the course meant: about harnessing and refining supernatural gifts, and the brief history of the first werewolf known to possess such power.

The words lit something inside me—a quiet hope. Perhaps Thursday would really change something for me.

By the time I lifted my head, the pages were filled, my hand ached, and my heart felt just a little lighter.

Sooner than expected, the bell rang, a soft chime echoing through the vast hall.

Cambria peeked from behind her cubicle partition, her ponytail swaying slightly. "Study session’s over," she whispered with a small smile.

I nodded, closing my last notebook and starting to stack my things. It felt oddly satisfying that I’d managed to finish copying both notes.

My hand ached from writing so much, but I didn’t really mind. What mattered was that I was catching up.

And strangely, I wasn’t as tired as I thought I’d be. The quiet of the study hall had been comforting—no cruel whispers, no eyes watching every move: just pages, pens, and focus.

It seemed like ESA students took this study session seriously, and that seriousness made me feel safe, at least for those three hours.

Together, Cambria, Tamryn, Nari, Juniper, and I left the hall, heading back to our dorm room.

Inside, I returned Cambria’s notebooks to her and thanked her softly. She just waved her hand, brushing it off like it was nothing.

As I placed my own books neatly back on my shelf, another thought suddenly hit me—the brothers.

I’d promised Lennon and Rennon that I’d reach out after dinner, but dinner had been overshadowed by everything else, and I completely forgot.

Glancing at the wall clock, I realized there were still about forty-five minutes left before lights out. Enough time to change and send them a proper message.

Like the others, I grabbed my nightdress and stepped into the bathroom to change. When I returned, Nari was already fast asleep, breathing softly.

Juniper had her eyes fixed on her phone, earphones in, probably watching something. Tamryn, as always, was bent over her desk, her pen dancing across a page. She never really gets tired of studying.

Cambria, by contrast, had a headset covering her eyes, quietly lost in her own world.

I crossed to my bed, settled down and picked up my phone from where I’d left it on my desk.

Opening the chat with the brothers, my heart skipped at the sight of Lennon’s messages stacked on top of each other.

He’d been checking on me after dinner, asking if I was okay... then one message where he threatened—lightly, almost playfully—that if I didn’t answer soon, he’d ride over to ESA himself to look for me.

A small laugh bubbled in my chest. I quickly typed a reply, apologizing, explaining that I’d completely forgotten because of the study session.

His answer came back almost instantly.

[What did you have for dinner?]

I told him—omelette, vegetables, rice, a bit of cake, and ice cream.

[Next time, snap a pic and send it. I need proof] he teased.

[Okay], I typed, a shy smile tugging at my lips.

Then Rennon’s message appeared.

[If there’s any topic you don’t understand, come to me anytime at school. I will help however I can].

His words felt steady, reassuring like a quiet shelter from the noise.

[Thank you], I wrote back.

Before I could type more, they both messaged at once, asking me to send them my class timetable.

I took a quick picture of the paper and sent it over. Then after a few seconds, Lennon replied,

[Got it. Now we know when to bother you.]

I chuckled silently to myself, imagining his grin as he typed that.

Finally, both brothers sent a simple, warm Good night.

[Good night,] I replied softly, laying my phone on my chest.