CHAPTER 119: HE NOTICED

{Elira}

~**^**~

The chalk tapped lightly against the board as Zenon underlined a date.

"—and in the year 1342, the Northern alliance was formally ratified," he said, his tone steady, almost clipped. "This decision reshaped the balance of power between packs for the next century."

My pen hovered over the page, my letters slipping into uneven lines again. I blinked hard, fighting the fog in my head.

Then another soft yawn rose once again before I could stop it. I snapped my hand over my mouth, lowering my gaze quickly. But when I dared glance up again, Zenon’s eyes were on me.

I froze almost immediately.

From across the room, his gaze locked on mine, sharp and unblinking. For a single breath, I felt stripped bare—like he could see straight past my forced composure to the exhaustion weighing down my bones.

Heat rushed to my face. I dropped my eyes to my parchment, gripping my pen so tightly that it dug into my fingers.

Zenon didn’t say anything. He didn’t call my name, didn’t scold me. But when he turned back to the board, I still felt his awareness lingering—like a shadow just behind my shoulder.

My chest tightened a bit.

Regardless, I forced my hand to keep writing, copying down his notes word for word, even though half of it blurred in my vision.

Every so often, I risked a glance up. And every time, it seemed—just for a fraction of a second—that his gaze flicked back to me before sliding to another student.

It was maddening.

By the time the bell finally rang, dismissing us, I was almost relieved. Chairs scraped, books slammed shut, voices filled the room as students rushed for the door.

I moved slower, gathering my things carefully, hoping the crowd would shield me.

But as I carried my books and turned toward the exit, my eyes betrayed me—they darted once more toward the front.

Zenon stood there, leaning against the desk, his notes stacked neatly. His gaze found me instantly, unwavering.

It wasn’t cold or sharp rather, it felt steadier, heavier, as though he were trying to piece together a puzzle he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to.

I dropped my eyes and hurried out the door before he could say a word.

My heart beat too fast. My palms were damp against the strap of my bag.

I knew he noticed, no matter my efforts to hide.

By the time I reached the locker hall, the weight of the morning had settled deep in my bones, and I was met with the chatter of my friends already inside.

"There you are," Nari said, grinning as if she had been waiting for me. "We were just talking about you."

My brows rose. "That doesn’t sound promising."

"Oh, it’s very promising." She pulled out her phone with a flourish, waving it dramatically. "I may or may not have sent the pictures and videos from this morning—to The Moon’s Whisper Blog’s email."

"What?" I almost dropped my books.

Cambria blinked, her lips parting in surprise. Even Tamryn looked up, one brow raised slightly.

Juniper, however, let out a low groan. "Nari... have you forgotten so soon that the blog isn’t functioning anymore. It’s been silent for months."

"I didn’t forget," Nari said, her grin not faltering. "But maybe, just maybe, whoever ran it is still checking the inbox. Maybe they’re waiting for the right story to come back alive."

I opened my mouth, then shut it again, unsure whether to scold her or thank her.

Nari leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief and hope. "Imagine it—our little video plastered on the front of the most notorious blog in ESA. Headlines like ’Council’s Hypocrisy Exposed’. People would finally see what they’re doing to you, Elira. They couldn’t hide behind their polished smiles anymore."

Cambria clasped her hands together with a soft laugh. "That would be... wonderful, actually. Someone needs to hold them accountable."

Juniper’s voice softened, her cool tone edged with something fiercer. "I wish it would happen. The Council has been untouchable for too long. If The Moon’s Whisper returned with this, they would be forced to sit up straight."

I sank onto the bench, setting my bag at my feet. For a moment, I let myself picture it—students whispering not about me, but about them—their perfect image cracking under the weight of truth.

It was almost too much to hope for. But still... a part of me did.

As Nari tucked her phone away and Juniper’s words lingered in the air, a silence fell between us. Not heavy—more thoughtful, like the idea of The Moon’s Whisper had carved out a space none of us dared to disturb.

That’s when Selene stirred.

"Do you hear them, Elira?" her voice drifted warm in my mind, carrying a weight of calm that smoothed the edges of my nerves. "These girls beside you—they don’t speak as strangers. They speak as sisters. Their fight is your fight."

I swallowed hard, staring down at my hands.

"The Council’s strength is built on silence," Selene continued. "But truth has claws sharper than theirs. If it finds its way back into the open... then perhaps you will not stand alone the next time they summon you."

Her voice faded like mist curling back into shadow, leaving me with the echo of her words.

Sisters. Truth. Not standing alone.

I blinked rapidly, forcing the sting in my eyes away before anyone could notice.

Cambria touched my arm gently. "Elira? Are you alright?"

"Yes," I said quickly, my voice steadier than I felt. "I’m fine. Really."

We all parted temporarily to put our things away in our respective lockers before making our way toward the cafeteria together.

The hallway buzzed with noise, footsteps and laughter bouncing off the walls. I was just starting to relax into the rhythm of their chatter when my green phone buzzed sharply in my pocket.

I froze for a moment, wondering who it might be.

My fingers fumbled as I pulled it out, my heart pounding. Then the screen flashed a name that made my breath catch.

Zenon.