CHAPTER 55: PAYBOY CALEB FENMORE

{Elira}

~**^**~

I woke up the next morning before the alarm on my watch could even buzz, blinking into the dim light of our room.

It was barely 5 a.m., but I could already hear rustling and zippers and quiet yawns around me.

Nari, hair a mess and eyes half‑open, tossed her towel over one shoulder and padded to the bathroom first.

Cambria followed behind her, humming softly. I hesitated just a second, then forced myself to get up too.

There wasn’t any space or time to be shy. We were five girls sharing one bathroom, and if I waited, I’d either be late or risk not showering at all before class.

So, quietly, I grabbed my towel, toiletries and fresh uniform, and slipped inside after them.

Inside, steam already curled near the ceiling. Juniper adjusted the temperature of the shower beside me, and Tamryn was at the sink brushing her teeth, still half‑asleep but looking as unbothered as ever.

I kept my eyes low, did what I had to do quickly, and dressed in the bathroom stall. By the time I stepped out, Cambria was fixing her tie in the mirror.

As we finished dressing, Nari’s voice rose, sharper now that she was fully awake.

"Come on! There’s something delicious for breakfast today," she announced, almost giddy.

I blinked. I didn’t know breakfast was anything special here, but the way her eyes lit up told me enough: it was.

Within minutes, all five of us stepped out into the hallway, our polished black shoes clicking against the tiles, the crest of ESA gleaming on our jackets.

Cambria walked next to me, lightly fixing my collar when she noticed it was uneven.

---

At the cafeteria, the smell of fresh bread, eggs and something sweet drifted out to greet us.

Students from every first-year dorm streamed in, some still yawning, some already chattering excitedly.

We each grabbed our trays. I picked up a buttered croissant, scrambled eggs and a cup of warm tea.

Nari loaded her plate with toast and jam, while Juniper chose fruit and black coffee.

As we sat down, Cambria leaned closer and whispered, "It’s always good to eat a proper breakfast here. Classes can be long."

I nodded. I hadn’t realized how comforting it would feel to sit with them like this. Even if some moments were tense, it was still better than eating alone.

---

After breakfast, the five of us headed to the main academic building. The air outside was fresh, the sun barely up over the tall roofs and stone arches of ESA.

Inside, we went straight to the long rows of lockers. I found mine, input my code, and switched my heavy backpack for the right notebooks and textbook.

Then came the parting. Cambria squeezed my arm lightly.

"Good luck. I’ll see you at lunch," she said, before she and the others turned off into different hallways.

Left on my own, I hesitated for a moment. Then I lifted my wrist, tapped open the map on my smartwatch, and let it guide me to my classroom.

When I stepped in, a few heads turned immediately. I heard low snickers and saw two girls whispering something behind their hands.

I kept my gaze straight, reminding myself of what Zenon had said: only I get to decide who I am.

I walked to the back. The chair felt cold against my palms.

Then the door swung open, silencing them.

Professor Korrin entered—a tall man with steel‑grey hair, sharp posture, and a deep, clear voice.

"Settle down," he said, placing a small wooden box on the desk. "Today, we begin the basics: your scent as your signature."

He pulled out what looked like small glass vials, each labelled with student ID numbers.

"We are supernatural, yes—but your scent is a map of stress, health, even intent. Trackers and warriors must learn to read it... and mask it when needed."

He demonstrated, explaining the chemical bonds behind pheromones, the evolution of werewolf tracking, and how even subtle emotions shift your natural scent.

His words had a quiet gravity. I found myself leaning forward, forgetting the whispers.

At the end, he announced, "We will do partner practice next week. Come prepared."

---

When the bell rang for lunch, I gathered my books, letting the lecture echo in my mind: scent is power, scent is vulnerability.

The hallway outside buzzed as students flooded toward the cafeteria.

I followed the signs, stepped inside, and came to a standstill.

Near the dessert counter, standing casually with a hand in his pocket, was Caleb Fenmore.

His jacket was sharp burgundy, the student council’s signature colour. His badge gleamed under the lights.

My heart jumped, but not from excitement. Cambria’s words replayed in my head: ESA’s most handsome student... but don’t fall for it.

But Caleb saw me instantly, his grin lazy and practiced.

"You must be the new face," he drawled, stepping into my path. His voice had a teasing lilt.

"Elira, right?"

I swallowed. "Yes... how did you—"

"Council knows everything," he interrupted lightly, leaning closer. His scent—cool spice—brushed my senses, unfamiliar and almost magnetic.

"But no need to look so nervous. I don’t bite... much."

A smirk tugged at his lips. My pulse sped up—my first instinct was to shrink back—but something else flared inside me: the memory of three pairs of warm eyes.

Zenon’s hard stare.

Lennon’s teasing grin.

Rennon’s gentle calm.

Their existence around me was invisible, but it anchored me.

"I should get going," I said, stepping sideways.

"Already? But we just met." His eyes sparkled, voice dipped lower, almost intimate. "I could show you where the best dessert is kept. New students get special treatment."

I opened my mouth, unsure how to refuse politely, when a flat, bored voice cut in.

"Elira. There you are."

I turned, relieved to see Juniper standing a few steps behind, arms crossed. Her eyes, cool as ever, flicked briefly to Caleb.

"Professor wants to see you," she said without emotion, but her gaze was sharp, daring me to contradict her.

Caleb’s smile didn’t falter. "Ah, duty calls, huh?" He leaned back, giving me a parting look. "Don’t let her scare you off. I will see you around, Elira."

I nodded quickly, stepping to Juniper’s side.

As we walked away, weaving between tables, my heart still pounded.

"Thank you," I breathed.