<h4>Chapter 79: Back At The Alpha’s Residence</h4>


    <strong><i>{Elira}</i></strong>


    ~**^**~


    After the payment was settled, Zenon turned slightly toward me.


    "Take whatever you want," he said. "I will be at that table."


    He gestured toward a table by the window—half-hidden behind a hanging potted nt, away from other guests—and walked away.


    I stood there for a moment, watching him leave. A part of me wondered if he would eat.


    ’<i>Probably not,’</i> I thought. Zenon doesn’t look like the type who eats breakfast. He seems like someone who drinks ck coffee and broods in silence.


    I grabbed a tray and started moving through the buffet line. The sight of real food—actual food—coaxed my appetite fully awake.


    I served myself sausages, scrambled eggs, baked beans, a slice of toasted bread with strawberry jam, and poured a cup of hot chocte.


    Then my phone buzzed. I looked down and saw Lennon’s name.


    I picked up immediately. "Hello?"


    "Elira," Lennon’s voice rang with easy brightness. "Did Zenon pick you up already?"


    "Yes, he did. We are on the road, but he just pulled into a restaurant to get breakfast... for me," I added, my voice a little more unsure.


    Lennon chuckled. "Of course he did. Eat everything you want. My brother has too much money to even feel a small expense."


    A small smile crept to my lips, even though I tried to hide it. "Mm."


    "Rennon and I will be waiting when you arrive," Lennon said. "So don’t worry about anything, alright?"


    "Okay. Thank you."


    "See you soon, Little wolf."


    I picked up my tray again and walked toward the table Zenon had imed.


    He was already seated, a cup of coffee steaming in front of him. I guess he wasn’t hungry.


    I approached him, trying not to trip over my nerves.


    "Um, thank you... for the food," I said quietly as I sat down.


    He gave a small nod, then returned his attention to the window.


    I focused on my food. At first, it was difficult—chewing while someone like Zenon sat across from you, unmoving and utterly silent, was its own kind of pressure.


    But the food was warm and delicious, and soon, the embarrassment faded under thefort of actual nourishment.


    My favourite was the jam-thered toast and the eggs. The hot chocte was perfect too—creamy, sweet, and rich enough to rx something tight inside my chest.


    When I was done, I ced my napkin on the tray and sat quietly, unsure if we were leaving or if he needed a few more minutes.


    But Zenon stood, his coffee cup empty. "Let’s go," he said.


    I followed him without a word and returned to the car.


    ---


    I felt my breath catch a little when Zenon finally turned onto the familiar private road that led to the Alpha’s estate.


    The iron gates swung open smoothly, and the familiar house came into view. It was still big and beautiful after a few days away.


    Zenon pulled the Jeep into the driveway. As soon as the engine cut off, I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door.


    Before I could even take a full step away from the jeep, I saw Lennon striding toward me with that easy, lopsided smile he always wore.


    He didn’t wait for greetings—he reached out and took my backpack right off my shoulder like it weighed nothing.


    "Here, let me take that," he said warmly, then added with a gentle pat to my head, "How was your weekend so far, little wolf?"


    I blinked up at him, still adjusting to the sudden shift in energy—from Zenon’s quiet, icy stillness to Lennon’s warm breeze.


    "It’s... fine," I replied, and somehow, it felt like the most urate word.


    Zenon, who had juste around the car, paused a few steps away.


    "Be ready by ten," he said with that steady voice of his. "That’s when we leave to meet the Healer."


    I nodded quickly. "Okay."


    He didn’t say anything else—just turned and walked toward the house. He moved up the stone steps and disappeared through the main entrance.


    Then Rennon appeared beside me, his hands tucked in the pockets of his navy-blue shirt. His eyes, as calm as ever, met mine with a small smile.


    "Come," he said softly. "Let’s take you to your room. One of the maids cleaned it up yesterday."


    I followed him and Lennon into the house, my shoes clicking softly against the marble flooring.


    The scent of lemon polish and fresh flowers filled the air. Somehow, I missed here.


    We went up the grand staircase, turning down the right hallway toward my bedroom.


    As soon as they opened the door to my room, I felt that little spark of childlike joy flicker in my chest.


    It was just as I remembered, and my bed was perfectly made, everything in ce.


    I wanted to jump on the mattress because it was nothing like the one in my dorm room, but I held myself back, smoothing my hand over the sheets instead.


    I turned to the brothers, trying not to sound too curious. "Um... is Alpha Cyprus around?"


    Lennon, who had flopped down on the armchair, leaned backzily. "No, he left for a meeting earlier this morning. Probably won’t be back tillter tonight."


    I nodded, relieved. But then I hesitated, fidgeting with my fingers. "And... Luna Gwenith?"


    Lennon let out a soft chuckle. "You don’t have to worry, Elira. She left with her husband."


    I released a long breath. "Okay. That’s good."


    I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding that tension in my shoulders.


    I sat down on the edge of the bed, finally allowing myself to rx just a little.


    Rennon sat beside me while Lennon remained in the armchair, his arm slung over the backrest.


    "So," Lennon said, raising a brow. "How’s school, really? Give us the details."


    I smiled faintly. "It’s been... better. Yesterday, we had this dorm-wide activity—a supernatural scavenger hunt. It was fun."


    Lennon grinned. "You? Doing team games? That’s new."


    I bet he was surprised that my social life was finally taking a turn for the better. Regardless, Iughed under my breath. "I didn’t get a choice."