A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs novel Chapter 58

{Elira}

~**^**~

[Finally! How was it? What topic did His Royal Frostiness teach today? And… did he give you a hard time?]

A small, involuntary smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

I typed back: [He taught about ’Negotiation Leverage in Pack Trade Relations’. He didn’t say a word to me. Just taught, took questions, and left.]

Seconds later: [That sounds like him. Didn’t even glare at you?]

[Not once.]

Lennon sent a laughing emoji, followed by: [Seems like he was in an excellent mood. You survived. Proud of you, Elira.]

[Thank you,] I replied. Then added after a pause: [How’s Rennon?]

[He’s in the lab now, prepping for tomorrow’s lecture,

] Lennon wrote.

[Said to tell you not to skip lunch tomorrow. And yes, he really worries that you will forget to eat.]

Warmth spread in my chest at that.

[Tell him I won’t forget. I promise.]

[Good girl,] Lennon texted, adding a teasing wink. [I will check up on you later, okay?]

[Okay,] I typed, thumb lingering a second longer before I locked the screen.

Briefly, I thought about Caleb’s flirt during lunch break and decided it wasn’t important to inform the brothers about it.

—

The path to the dorm building felt shorter this time.

I crossed the courtyard, climbed the steps, and stepped into the cool hush of the lobby.

The elevator arrived with a soft chime, carrying me to the third floor.

In the hallway, laughter leaked under the door of my room, familiar voices that lifted and fell.

The door was already unlocked, so my fingers curled around the handle, I pushed it open gently and stepped inside.

Everyone was still in their uniforms, the Emerald jackets crisp over white shirts.

Tamryn stood by her bed, unpacking items from her backpack and stacking them neatly on her desk.

Nari sat cross-legged on Juniper’s lower bunk, chatting animatedly about something, while Juniper listened with a faint, bored expression.

Nari’s gaze flicked toward me. “At least the new girl isn’t looking horrible today,” she quipped.

For a moment, I wasn’t sure if that was meant as praise or an insult in disguise. So I just nodded at her, pressing my lips together, and walked to my bed.

I slipped my backpack off my shoulder, the weight leaving my body with a small relief.

Carefully, I took out my books and stationery, arranging the textbooks on the middle shelf above my desk, their spines lined neatly side by side.

My pens and pencils went into the small cup by my reading lamp.

Then I turned toward my wardrobe to pull out a fresh change of clothes — a soft mint-colored top and dark pants.

Just as I turned around, the bathroom door opened with a small click.

Cambria stepped out, dressed in a casual outfit — a pale lilac sweater over fitted jeans.

A gentle floral scent trailed behind her, fresh and sweet, and her black hair was swept up into a messy bun, a few strands curling by her cheeks.

She caught my eyes and her lips curved. “Hi, Elira,” she greeted warmly.

—

Several minutes later, it was time for dinner.

We walked together to the cafeteria, the five of us carrying our meal tickets.

I joined the line, balancing my tray, and chose simple dishes — a small portion of seasoned meat, greens, and rice.

As I sat down at the table, Cambria beside me, I remembered Lennon’s request: Snap a picture of your food and send it next time.

My chest fluttered. Quietly, I pulled out my phone and, angling it carefully, took a quick photo of my dinner: steam rising, colours warm under the cafeteria lights.

Nari noticed. She raised an eyebrow, chopsticks pausing halfway to her mouth. “Why are you taking pictures of food?” she asked, a teasing edge in her voice. “Are you trying to start a food blog page?”

My fingers tightened slightly around my phone. “Family,” I answered softly, keeping my eyes down.

Nari let out a little laugh and shook her head, turning back to her food.

I didn’t know what was funny to her. I quickly tapped out a message and attached the photo, sending it to Lennon:

[Dinner at the cafeteria, as promised.]

Before I could even put my phone away, it buzzed with Lennon’s reply:

[Looks good! But next time, take a selfie with it too, so we know you’re really eating.]

A quiet, surprised laugh almost slipped from my lips, and I typed back:

[How am I supposed to do that with everyone watching?]

Lennon sent a grinning emoji and wrote: [That was a joke, little wolf.]

I exhaled in relief.

Sliding my phone aside, I picked up my fork, letting the noise of the cafeteria and the low chatter of my roommates wash over me.