A Mate To Three Alpha Heirs-Chapter 39: Don’t Be Like Your Mother

{Elira}

~**^**~

Part of me felt lighter, hearing Uncle Marc’s apology and knowing he still cared. But his last real words echoed in my chest:

"When it’s truly a place for you, I will come to bring you back."

Back to the Beta residence — the house I had once called home when my father still lived. That place had been my whole world then: stone corridors warmed by my mother’s laughter, the study that had smelled of ink and leather, and the steady calm of my father’s presence.

Now, that same house was filled with memories that hurt. Regina’s cold commands and cruel treatment. Lady Maren’s scornful gaze.

Even if my uncle meant well, I couldn’t imagine going back and calling that place "home" again.

But I couldn’t help but wonder why he was so eager to bring me back.

Was it guilt? Responsibility? Or did he truly believe I still belonged there?

I took a slow breath, forcing the ache down.

’It doesn’t matter,’ I reminded myself. My place—at least for now—was here, and soon, at ESA.

Then, like a string tugging at my thoughts, I remembered: Zenon still had my admission letter and the forms. If nothing else, I had to go back inside.

I turned, walking through the gravel path that crunched softly under my shoes, back into the main house. The corridors inside felt hushed and cool after the sunlit driveway. My feet carried me, almost on their own, to the third floor.

I stopped in front of Zenon’s study door, took a breath to steady my racing heart, and knocked lightly.

I hoped he wouldn’t find me a nuisance as he wasn’t particularly fond of my presence.

A short pause after, his cold voice, still clipped as ever. "Enter."

I stepped inside, feeling the cool air from the AC hit my face.

He didn’t look up at first, just finished writing something. Finally, his gaze lifted, meeting mine, calm and unreadable.

"I... I came to ask," I began, voice smaller than I meant, "about my ESA admission letter. And... if you still need me for anything."

Without answering, he reached for the neat pile on his right, pulled out that unique envelope and held it out toward me.

I stepped forward, taking it carefully. The thick parchment felt warm from his hand.

"On orientation day, you will come with me to complete your student profile and collect your ID there before it starts," he said expressionlessly.

Something in my chest fluttered. Come with him?

I nodded quickly. "Thank you... Sir."

He didn’t reply. His attention had already returned to the document on his desk.

I turned, stepping out and closing the door gently behind me.

---

Dinner was relaxing for me without Luna Gwenith’s presence.

Alpha Cyprus cleared his throat gently, drawing all our gazes. "Elira," he began, his tone warm yet firm, "I want you to know that I am officially your sponsor to ESA."

My heart fluttered, and I sat up straighter, the words sinking in. Sponsor...

Then my mind flashed to the brown envelope Zenon had exchanged with Uncle Marc earlier that day.

Did they make Uncle Marc give me up to them... legally?

I didn’t know what it meant exactly, but somehow, a part of me felt... anchored.

Happily, Alpha Cyprus continued, "And my sons—your mates, Zenon, Lennon, and Rennon, will be responsible for you while you’re there." freёweɓnovel_com

Lennon’s grin spread across his face while Rennon offered me a soft, steady smile.

Zenon, however, only flicked a brief glance at his father, then turned away and forked a piece of stewed chicken into his mouth, unbothered.

My heart sank a little at the thought that he really must hate the idea of me being his mate.

Alpha Cyprus’ voice drew me back. "Don’t hesitate to go to any of them if you need something," he said kindly. "If you face a problem, tell them—they will help you solve it."

"Thank you... Alpha," I whispered, my voice catching.

His smile deepened, softening the hard lines of his face. "Good. Now eat."

I nodded and lowered my gaze to the plate before me.

After dinner, Lennon and Rennon walked me back to my room. We didn’t speak much, but the quiet felt comforting, like a shield around me. At my door, I turned to them.

"Good night," I said softly.

"Good night, Elira," Rennon murmured, warmth in his gaze.

"Sleep tight, my girl," Lennon added, a teasing lilt to his voice.

I stepped inside, closing the door gently behind me. The moment the latch clicked, I let out a small breath and reached for the light switch.

The warm glow flooded the room, and that was when I saw her.

Luna Gwenith.

Standing silently in the middle of my room, her presence was sharp and cold as steel.

I gasped, stumbling back, my heart thudding painfully in my chest.

Her gaze locked onto mine, her lips curling slightly. "It’s good you’re scared of me," she said quietly. "Keep it that way. It will save you."

My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t know why, but I feared her more than Regina and Lady Maren combined—deeper, colder, like fear born into my bones.

She stepped forward. I swallowed, instinctively backing away until my shoulders brushed the closed door behind me.

I had nowhere to run to now.

"I underestimated you," she went on, her voice cold and precise, cutting into me like a blade. "I didn’t know you had it in you to win over my precious sons in so short a time. Even Zenon."

The mention of his name twisted something in my chest.

She took another step closer. My legs felt weak. ’Please... someone come find me...’

"You’re greedy," she hissed, each word dripping with contempt. "To want all three of my sons for yourself. A lowly, orphaned omega with nothing to her name, except being a slave to her cousin."

My throat burned. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes.

"Do you really think you deserve any of them?" she demanded, her gaze sharp as broken glass.

My lips parted, but no sound came out. Slowly, my head moved side to side.

Her eyes gleamed with cold satisfaction. "Remember that, Elira," she whispered, voice quiet as poison. "You’re worthless. Nothing."

The words dug deeper than I expected, dimming the tiny light I’d dared to nurture in my chest.

My lips trembled; tears broke free, trailing warm lines down my cheeks.

"And I am not afraid to stain my hands." Then she raised her palm before my face.

I hadn’t even noticed she’d stepped so close, her cold perfume prickling at my nose.

"Step aside," she commanded.

My legs moved numbly. I stepped back from the door.

She opened it, but just as she stepped across the threshold, she paused. Her gaze sliced back to me, eyes glinting with something unreadable.

"Don’t be like your mother. You can see for yourself, she didn’t end well."

The door shut behind her, the soft click echoing louder than a slam.

I stumbled forward, fumbling to twist the lock with shaking fingers. When it clicked shut, my back slid against the wood, and I sank to the floor.

Silent sobs wracked my chest, tears spilling freely. ’Don’t be like your mother...’

I didn’t even understand what she meant — but the malice in her voice left me cold to my bones.

I buried my face in my trembling hands, forcing myself to cry quietly, so no one would hear.

And in this locked room, the weight of my loneliness pressed heavier than ever.

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