<h4>Chapter 23: Something to be Worried About</h4>


    <strong><i>{Elira}</i></strong>


    ~**^**~


    The family was already seated when I entered. And I can’t tell why I’m usually thest to arrive.


    Alpha Cyprus offered his usual warm nod, and I curtsied lightly to him and Luna Gwenith, who ignored me.


    Then, I took my seat.


    As I picked up my spoon, Alpha Cyprus turned his gaze to me. "Elira," he began, his voice calm but curious, "how are your lessons so far? Are you understanding the material?"


    I straightened my shoulders, hands tightening slightly around the spoon. "Yes, Alpha. I’m trying my best. Rennon and Lennon are... very patient."


    Beside him, Lennon huffed a quietugh. "She’s doing more than trying," he said, ncing at me with a teasing smile that made my heart trip. "She’s picking things up faster than I expected."


    My cheeks burned. I lowered my gaze to my te, but couldn’t stop a small smile from tugging at my lips.


    Alpha Cyprus’s eyes softened. "Good. I’m d to hear that," he said. "You have potential, Elira. Don’t doubt that."


    Across the table, Zenon didn’t speak. His gaze felt cold and heavy, like a winter wind brushing my skin. But I told myself not to let it sink into my bones.


    Rennon, quiet as always, gave the smallest nod that I caught from the corner of my eye.


    After breakfast, my morning lessons with Rennon followed.


    Today, we settled in the same quiet study, sunlight softening the edges of the room.


    "We will go deeper into Moon Lore," he exined, arranging notes between us. "And then practice some problem questions."


    I listened, pen in hand. He spoke of the old prophecies, of the First Lunar Convergence, of wolves who could once wield fire and shadow.


    "History isn’t just stories," Rennon said, his voice low. "It teaches us how power was bnced, and why thews exist as they do."


    I nodded, taking notes carefully, the words strange on my tongue but somehow beautiful.


    When I stumbled on a question — how the Convergence wolves were marked — Rennon didn’t sigh or frown. Instead, he tapped the page gently.


    "Think. Why were they feared?"


    "Because... they could unify rival packs?" I offered, hesitating.


    "And?"


    "They were said to carry an aura... like blood and me," I whispered, almost embarrassed.


    Rennon’s eyes softened. "Good. Write that down."


    An hourter, we switched to arithmetic. My pulse spiked. Numbers still tangled in my mind.


    When I made a mistake, I bit my lip so hard it hurt.


    "Look at me," Rennon said quietly. "Mistakes are how you learn. Try again."


    I did. My hand trembled, but I finished the sum. When I got it right, his nod felt like a quiet victory.


    By the end of three hours, my mind was warm and heavy with knowledge, but also... hopeful.


    "Take a short rest," Rennon told me, gathering the papers. "Then we will continue tonight with Lennon."


    <strong>---</strong>


    The sun had already dipped low, streaking the sky with gold, when I stepped into Lennon’s study.


    Lennon was waiting, one leg hooked over the other, a stack of maps and scrolls beside him.


    "Ready?" he asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.


    "I think so," I answered, though my heart skittered in my chest.


    He leaned forward, voice low and teasing. "Don’t look so scared. It’s just me."


    I found myselfughing just a little. "It’s the questions I’m scared of."


    "Well, let’s see if that fear is justified," he teased. Then, more seriously, "Show me on this map where the first Ashfang settlement was."


    I hesitated, tracing my finger along the river bend. "Here?"


    His gaze met mine. "Good. And why settle there?"


    "Trade... and defence?"


    "Right." His praise, quick and bright, lit something in my chest.


    Lennon’s questions came faster, his tone shifting between yfulness and sharp focus.


    When I answered correctly, his smile was quick and genuine. When I stumbled, his tone softened, saying the same words from yesterday.


    "Breathe, Elira. Start again."


    At one point, I mixed up two treaty dates, my cheeks burning.


    "Wrong," Lennon said, but his voice was quiet, not mocking. "Now think — what happened first?"


    I closed my eyes and reyed yesterday’s lesson. When I opened them, the answer came.


    "That’s it," he said, warmth in his gaze.


    When our lesson ended, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.


    "You survived day two," Lennon teased. "Tomorrow we go even harder."


    I nodded, my heart pounding. "Thank you."


    He ruffled my hair lightly, the way someone might steady a small me. "See youter at dinner."


    I thanked him, and had just reached the door when he spoke.


    "Actually," he said, voice softer now, e with me for a walk first. You’ve been locked inside all day."


    My chest lifted, surprised. "A walk?"


    He nodded. "Fresh air is part of the study n, too. Come on."


    ---


    Outside, the evening was quiet and mild, thest of the day’s light catching on the courtyard stones and distant treetops.


    We walked side by side, our steps slow, unhurried.


    I felt the day’s weight easing off my shoulders with every breath of fresh air.


    For a few moments, neither of us spoke. I could feel Lennon ncing at me now and then, as though waiting for me to break the silence.


    Then, his voice, warm and low:


    "Elira, in two days, Zenon will also teach you."


    My feet nearly stumbled.


    "Zenon?" I turned to him, my eyes wide.


    Lennon chuckled, as though he’d been expecting my reaction. "Yes. It took some convincing from Rennon and me, but he finally agreed."


    My heart thudded, nerves prickling at my skin. "H-he agreed?"


    "Yes," Lennon repeated, still smiling. "He will cover essay writing and advanced reading. It’s important, especially for the written parts of the entrance exam."


    I swallowed. The idea of Zenon — cold, sharp, and so impossible to read — sitting across from me with my messy notes and hesitant words made my palms sweat.


    "Don’t look so terrified," Lennon teased, leaning slightly closer.


    I lowered my gaze, trying tough it off, but it came out thin. "I’m just... he’s not exactly patient like you and Rennon."


    "He won’t kill you, Elira," Lennon said, and to my horror, his hands came up gently to rest on my shoulders.


    He leaned forward, so his face was close to mine, eyes soft but amused. "He might re, and sigh, and roll his eyes — but he won’t bite."


    My lips parted. "You say that, but..."


    He chuckled again, a quiet sound that eased a bit of the knot in my chest. "He’ll be harsh, yes. But remember: you’ve survived worse. And if it bes too much, you can alwayse find me or Rennon afterward."


    "Won’t bite..." I repeated under my breath, still not entirely convinced.


    Lennon raised an eyebrow. "Don’t tell him I said that, though. He’d really bite me instead."


    A surprisedugh slipped from my lips, lightening the heavy fear that had settled in my stomach. "I won’t."


    For a few heartbeats, neither of us spoke. The breeze caught Lennon’s scent — warm, rich, like sandalwood, amber and vani and settled around me.


    Then he straightened, his hands dropping from my shoulders. "Let’s head back," he said, his voice gentle. "You’ve got more lessons tomorrow."


    "Yes," I breathed, my pulse finally steadying.