A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs-Chapter 30: It Was Him

{Elira}

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As soon as I stepped into my room, I closed the door softly behind me, pressing my back to it. My heart was still beating faster than usual.

In my hand, I still held the small paper bag — inside, the half-eaten bun and the empty yoghurt cup.

I set them down on my dresser, staring at them like they might vanish.

Zenon had told me to take them. His words, though delivered in that same cold tone, had felt strangely... human.

A part of me wanted to read more into it. However, the other part whispered that doing so might come back to haunt me later.

I drew in a shaky breath and crossed to my bed, sitting down at the edge. My dress crinkled under me, and the silence of the room settled around me like a blanket.

He caught me when I fainted that day.

He drilled me on the exact essay topic.

He stopped in the middle of nowhere for me to wrench my guts out.

Then he offered me food, even if awkwardly.

My heart felt heavy and light at the same time. Zenon... who are you really?

Before I could sink deeper into that confusion, three knocks sounded on my door.

"Come in," I called softly.

The door opened to reveal Lennon first, with Rennon right behind him. Their presence instantly warmed the room.

"You’re back," Lennon grinned, stepping inside. "We were waiting for you."

Rennon’s calm eyes softened. "How did it go?"

They both came closer, sitting on the chairs near my bed like they belonged there — and maybe they did.

I shifted, folding my hands on my lap. "I... I think it went well."

They listened without interrupting as I recounted everything: how I found the hall, the invigilators checking us politely, and how some students were caught cheating and removed.

"It was so impressive," I added, leaning forward slightly. "They caught every single person trying to cheat. I don’t know how they did it so quickly."

Lennon let out a small laugh, leaning back. "That’s because there are cameras inside the hall, Elira. They probably watched from another room."

I blinked, surprised. "Cameras?"

Rennon nodded. "Yes. ESA doesn’t leave such things to chance."

I sat back, absorbing that. Of course... it was ESA. A place that only accepted the best — or, at least, tried to.

Then I remembered another part.

"Zenon also caught a candidate cheating himself. He told her to stand up, then shredded her paper when she refused to confess. She had written answers on her thighs. It was..." I paused, searching for words, "shocking to see, but also... I don’t know. Impressive."

They exchanged a look, something quiet passing between them.

"He can be very strict," Rennon murmured.

"He’s fair, though," Lennon added. "In his own cold way."

I hesitated. "He is... intimidating. But... thank you both. Because without you two preparing me, I wouldn’t have even been able to sit for the exam properly."

They smiled, and Lennon tilted his head, curiosity in his gaze. "What did you think of ESA now that you’ve stepped inside?"

I bit my lip, then said honestly, "I didn’t want to come out. It feels like a place where I could finally belong."

They both chuckled softly.

"Good," Rennon said, his voice warm. "That means your heart is in it."

Then, before I lost the courage, I added quietly, "There was something else... The essay topic in the exam was the exact same one Zenon drilled me on."

Their eyes met over my shoulder.

"Must be luck," Lennon teased, a faint smirk on his lips.

But I saw the way Rennon’s gaze softened, and I knew luck wasn’t all of it. Yet, I didn’t say anything. I kept that puzzle piece close to my heart, unsure what to do with it.

Then, as if another puzzle piece clicked, I lifted my head. "Can I ask you both something?"

They nodded.

I drew in a breath. "Was it Zenon... who caught me when I fainted at the clearing during the Mating Moon ceremony?"

Again, that shared look.

Lennon was the one who answered. But it was after letting out a long sigh as if he wasn’t supposed to let me know in the first place.

"Yes. It was him."

My heart stuttered. The room felt strangely quiet for a second.

He caught me... after trying to reject me? Like... how?

That didn’t even make any sense at all.

I didn’t understand him at all. Why was he harsh with me in the open, yet silently doing things to protect or help me?

Before I could voice that confusion, Lennon spoke again, breaking the spell. "By the way, have you eaten something?"

I nodded, a little embarrassed. "Zenon gave me a bun and yoghurt before we reached home." ’And I haven’t even finished the bun yet.’

I reserved the second part in my heart.

His brows lifted in surprise, then softened into a grin. "That’s something."

"But it’s not enough," Lennon said, suddenly standing. Before I could react, he reached for my hand and pulled me gently up from the bed. "Come on. Rennon and I prepared a feast for you. You need to replenish your energy before you can rest properly."

My eyes widened, and warmth rushed to my chest. "You... did?"

Rennon stood as well, his calm smile reassuring. "Yes. We thought you’d come back hungry and tired."

I let them lead me out of the room, my steps lighter than before.

They reminded me of all the hard work, sleepless nights, and wrecked nerves from an entire week. Lennon even pointed out that I had lost a little weight and my complexion wasn’t as bright as it had been before.

My heart felt fuller, too. Maybe I didn’t understand everything — especially Zenon — but right now, I had people who cared, who saw me, and who wanted me to keep going.

And for now, that was enough.

I said a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, asking her never to let me wake up if this turned out to be a dream.

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