A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs novel Chapter 172

{Elira}

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Back in our dorm, the lights were dimmed low, our laughter still lingering as we settled into our bunks.

Nari sprawled across her mattress with her tablet, Juniper sketched idly in her notebook, and Cambria brushed out her long hair in slow, even strokes while Tamryn leaned against her headboard, quiet as ever, though her eyes tracked all of us.

I sat on the edge of my bed, heart thudding harder than it should. Their trust, their prayers tonight—it all pressed against the weight of what I had been keeping from them.

I drew a deep breath. “There is something I need to tell you all.”

Immediately, four heads turned toward me instantly.

Nari set her tablet down with exaggerated drama. “Ohhh, this sounds serious.”

I swallowed, forcing the words out before I lost my courage. “The reason I wasn’t with you on Sunday… I didn’t go home. I went to see a witch.”

Juniper blinked. “A witch?”

Tamryn sat straighter, a frown forming on her face. “Why?”

“Because the healer from my pack discovered something,” I said softly. “She told me my channels were blocked by a powerful witch. That’s why… why I was always so weak.”

The silence stretched heavily, but I pressed on before doubt could silence me. “The witch who sealed me was found. On Sunday, I went to her. And she unlocked me. My channels are free now.”

Nari gasped loud enough to make me wince. “You mean—”

“I’m not an Omega,” I said quickly, the words trembling out. “I never was.”

That same second, the room exploded.

Nari threw herself at me in a hug, squealing into my ear. Juniper laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.

Cambria’s eyes shone with quiet joy as she reached to squeeze my hand. Even Tamryn’s stoic mask cracked into something warmer with relief, or maybe even pride.

“You are not an Omega,” Juniper echoed, grinning widely. “I knew it. I knew there was something different about you.”

“Best news I’ve heard all year!” Nari shouted, bouncing around me.

I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face, tears stinging my eyes from their joy alone. For once, the word failure didn’t echo in my chest.

But just as the noise swelled, Tamryn cleared her throat sharply. “Keep your voices down,” she warned in her low, steady tone. “If the hostess mistress hears us, we will all be punished.”

That sobered us quickly, though the smiles remained.

Then Juniper tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “So… if you are not an Omega, then what’s your supernatural power?”

I hesitated for just a breath, still not entirely used to speaking the truth aloud. “Fire,” I said softly. “I can wield fire.”

Their reactions were instant.

Juniper’s eyes widened. Cambria’s jaw parted slightly in awe. Tamryn’s usually calm face betrayed open surprise. And Nari—Nari practically lit up like a lantern.

“Fire?!” she half-shrieked, bouncing in place. “That’s so badass! You have to show us, Elira!”

I shook my head quickly, raising both hands. “No, no—I can’t.”

“Why not?” Nari pouted, leaning closer as though sheer eagerness could change my mind.

“Because…” My voice faltered. The knot in my chest tightened as I let the truth slip out. “I can’t control it yet.”

The air shifted, their smiles fading into concerned silence.

I forced myself to go on. “During training today, I—” My throat closed up, but I pushed past it. “I lost control. My emotions… they got the better of me. And I—” I swallowed hard, guilt pressing heavily against my ribs. “I almost hurt Professor Lennon.”

Gasps rippled around the room as they turned their gazes to one

“You what?” Juniper’s notebook slipped from her lap.

“It wasn’t on purpose!” I said quickly, shame burning in my cheeks. “I was angry, and the fire just… it burst out before I could stop it. If he hadn’t moved…” I trailed off, my chest tightening all over again at the thought of what could have happened.

Cambria leaned forward, her voice soft, careful. “Elira… that’s serious.”

That earned me four sets of widened eyes.

Nari immediately leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “Then give us a hint.”

I shook my head firmly, lips curving into the smallest smile. “Not a chance. I’m not falling for your tricks.”

She groaned dramatically and flopped back against her pillow. “That’s unfair.”

Juniper tilted her head, watching me with that calm, thoughtful gaze of hers. “Is it something shocking?”

Before I could answer, Nari shot upright again, eyes sparkling. “No, no—what she means is… is it something that will explode? Like a bomb?”

The way she said it made me laugh despite myself. My chest loosened as I smiled at her, lowering my voice into a teasing hum. “Yes. Definitely a bomb.”

Cambria perked up, her eyes shining with curiosity. “Then at least give us a timeline for when you plan to drop this bomb.”

I pretended to think about it, tapping my chin dramatically while they all leaned in. Finally, I lifted my brows. “On Founder’s Day.”

The reaction was instant—gasps, laughter, the whole bed shaking as Nari grabbed Tamryn’s arm with mock urgency.

“Founder’s Day is so close!” Juniper said, her excitement bubbling through her voice.

Tamryn leaned forward, narrowing her eyes with playful suspicion. “Elira… is this bomb something we will all enjoy the explosion of?”

Heat rose to my cheeks at the question, though I kept my expression calm. “That,” I said slowly, letting the pause drag just long enough to make them lean closer, “depends.”

Their groans and laughter filled the room, washing away the last remnants of tension.

“I think I’m done for the day. You lot need to return to your beds. I need to get some sleep,” I said to them, moving my eyes from one face to the other.

Nari shook her head and folded her arms. “Have you forgotten that we have to move to the study hall in like fifteen minutes?”

“Wake me up when that time reaches,” I returned a smile. “Because if I don’t take a moment to rest now, studying would be useless.”