CHAPTER 85: MEETING THE STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS

{Elira}

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I took a shaky breath as I shut my locker, stuffing my phone and the last of my books inside before snapping it shut with a faint metallic clang. My fingers lingered on the cool surface for a second longer.

I wasn’t sure what I expected from the Student Council—perhaps a formal notice, maybe a stern warning or polite inquiry.

But dread sat heavy in my chest, thick and quiet, as I turned away and followed the directions on my smart watch toward their building.

When I arrived and pushed open the glass door, the scent of peppermint gum greeted me.

There was the same girl, same bubblegum.

The Student Council assistant barely spared me a glance. She tilted her head, chewing rhythmically, and jerked her thumb toward a sleek white door behind her.

"They’re waiting. You can go in."

Go in?

My pulse ticked faster as I nodded and stepped forward.

The door opened into a space that felt nothing like a school. It was too perfect, too opulent — all smooth ivory furniture, velvet couches in deep sapphire blue, shelves lined with antique books and glowing crystals.

A grand chandelier sparkled softly above, the air itself scented faintly of lilies and old magic.

And then, there they were. All six of them, seated casually but with an undeniable air of control.

My gaze swept the room and caught each of their faces.

Thorne Wexler, lazily flipping a coin. Soraya Vale, arms crossed, her eyes like razors. Nyra Blackvale sitting so still she might have been carved from stone.

Caleb Fenmore with that ever-present smirk. Regina Shaw—my cousin—perched like a cat beside Princess Kaelis.

But it was Kaelis who stood first, her silver curls bouncing as she clapped her hands together in a slow, mock celebration.

"Well, well," she said, her smile unnerving in how sweet it appeared. "Look who finally decided to honour us with her presence. The little Omega who draws attention like a fire to moths."

A few soft snickers immediately followed.

I didn’t say a word. My hands stayed stiff at my sides, and I didn’t dare let my eyes fall to the floor. I met her gaze instead, trying to mask the sting rising beneath my skin.

Then Regina chimed in, her voice laced with poison-laced honey. "Elira’s made quite the impression since she arrived. Did you all hear about her accident in Power Channeling class? It was... tragic. Like watching a bird trying to fly with clipped wings."

Laughter roared across the room, big smiles, crossing their lips like I was some sort of clown.

Thorne actually wheezed beside Soraya, who rolled her eyes.

"Wait, that was her?" someone said — maybe Nyra. "Wow. ESA’s really lowering the bar, aren’t they?"

"I mean, what kind of admissions board lets in a powerless Omega? Was there a pity scholarship?" Soraya’s voice cut like glass.

Each comment landed like invisible darts, and yet I refused to flinch.

They didn’t even look at me anymore as they mocked me. It was as if I wasn’t even in the room.

But then came the twist.

Regina tossed her hair over her shoulder, laughing a little too confidently—until someone—Nyra again, maybe—asked curiously, "Wait... did she say her surname’s Shaw?"

The room quieted a notch.

My eyes flicked to Regina and for the first time, I saw it — a flicker of panic behind her practiced smile. But it was brief because she recovered quickly, her jaw tensing.

"That’s a coincidence," Regina snapped with a brittle laugh. "We’re not... connected. The name’s common enough. My Shaw lineage is prestigious. That? That’s something else entirely."

A part of me wanted to laugh. Her panic had screamed louder than her denial. And in that moment, something inside me shifted.

Then Kaelis’ voice cut through again, sharp and cold.

"Tell me, Omega," she said, her smile gone now. "How dare you show up here with your incompetence, and distract students who actually belong at ESA?"

"I didn’t—" I started, but she waved a hand, dismissing me before I could even defend myself.

"You make us a laughingstock," she said, rising to her feet, the authority of royalty wrapping around her words like a blade. "You think this school is your playground?"

Regina leaned back, arms crossed, lips pursed like a queen on her throne. She hadn’t said anything more, but her silence spoke volumes.

Then the worst of it came.

"I saw her," Soraya said, almost lazily, like she was just sharing gossip. "Getting out of Professor Zenon’s car this morning."

The silence that followed was instant and electric. Every eye snapped to me.

"You what?" Kaelis demanded, eyes narrowing.

"I—" My voice felt dry, caught.

"What is your relationship with Professor Zenon?" Thorne asked. His tone was mocking, but I could hear the undercurrent of something else—disbelief, curiosity... threat?

"Answer us," Kaelis pressed. "How dare you enter his car?"

It was Regina’s silence that spoke the loudest. Everyone turned to her, as if suddenly remembering something vital.

"Wait," Kaelis said, eyes wide in realization. "Isn’t Professor Zenon your fiancé, Regina?"

Regina’s expression faltered. Her smile dimmed, then she caught herself and lifted her chin.

"Of course he is," she said smoothly. "But I trust him implicitly."

Immediately, I turned to her, then my gaze dropped.

A pale-pink diamond glittering delicately on Regina’s finger—an engagement ring. She wore it like it meant something.

But I knew it was fake because the engagement never even happened in the first place.

Then, my lips parted slightly, not from surprise, but at the weight of realization.

Regina hadn’t told them, not about our family tie or about the broken engagement.

They all thought she still belonged to Professor Zenon.

Interesting.

When our eyes finally met, I caught the flicker of discomfort in hers — brief, but there. She smiled quickly, too wide, too fake.

And for the first time in my life, I pitied Regina.

Whatever false tower she’d built for herself here, it was shaky. She wasn’t a queen. She was a coward hiding in glitter and lies.

I almost scoffed.

But then Kaelis leaned forward and smiled with a venomous sweetness.