Chapter 172: Confessing My Secrets
{Elira}
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Back in our dorm, the lights were dimmed low, our laughter still lingering as we settled into our bunks.
Nari sprawled across her mattress with her tablet, Juniper sketched idly in her notebook, and Cambria brushed out her long hair in slow, even strokes while Tamryn leaned against her headboard, quiet as ever, though her eyes tracked all of us.
I sat on the edge of my bed, heart thudding harder than it should. Their trust, their prayers tonight—it all pressed against the weight of what I had been keeping from them.
I drew a deep breath. "There is something I need to tell you all."
Immediately, four heads turned toward me instantly.
Nari set her tablet down with exaggerated drama. "Ohhh, this sounds serious."
I swallowed, forcing the words out before I lost my courage. "The reason I wasn’t with you on Sunday... I didn’t go home. I went to see a witch."
Juniper blinked. "A witch?"
Tamryn sat straighter, a frown forming on her face. "Why?"
"Because the healer from my pack discovered something," I said softly. "She told me my channels were blocked by a powerful witch. That’s why... why I was always so weak."
The silence stretched heavily, but I pressed on before doubt could silence me. "The witch who sealed me was found. On Sunday, I went to her. And she unlocked me. My channels are free now."
Nari gasped loud enough to make me wince. "You mean—"
"I’m not an Omega," I said quickly, the words trembling out. "I never was."
That same second, the room exploded.
Nari threw herself at me in a hug, squealing into my ear. Juniper laughed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Cambria’s eyes shone with quiet joy as she reached to squeeze my hand. Even Tamryn’s stoic mask cracked into something warmer with relief, or maybe even pride.
"You are not an Omega," Juniper echoed, grinning widely. "I knew it. I knew there was something different about you."
"Best news I’ve heard all year!" Nari shouted, bouncing around me.
I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face, tears stinging my eyes from their joy alone. For once, the word failure didn’t echo in my chest.
But just as the noise swelled, Tamryn cleared her throat sharply. "Keep your voices down," she warned in her low, steady tone. "If the hostess mistress hears us, we will all be punished."
That sobered us quickly, though the smiles remained.
Then Juniper tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "So... if you are not an Omega, then what’s your supernatural power?"
I hesitated for just a breath, still not entirely used to speaking the truth aloud. "Fire," I said softly. "I can wield fire."
Their reactions were instant.
Juniper’s eyes widened. Cambria’s jaw parted slightly in awe. Tamryn’s usually calm face betrayed open surprise. And Nari—Nari practically lit up like a lantern.
"Fire?!" she half-shrieked, bouncing in place. "That’s so badass! You have to show us, Elira!"
I shook my head quickly, raising both hands. "No, no—I can’t."
"Why not?" Nari pouted, leaning closer as though sheer eagerness could change my mind.
"Because..." My voice faltered. The knot in my chest tightened as I let the truth slip out. "I can’t control it yet."
The air shifted, their smiles fading into concerned silence.
I forced myself to go on. "During training today, I—" My throat closed up, but I pushed past it. "I lost control. My emotions... they got the better of me. And I—" I swallowed hard, guilt pressing heavily against my ribs. "I almost hurt Professor Lennon."
Gasps rippled around the room as they turned their gazes to one
"You what?" Juniper’s notebook slipped from her lap.
"It wasn’t on purpose!" I said quickly, shame burning in my cheeks. "I was angry, and the fire just... it burst out before I could stop it. If he hadn’t moved..." I trailed off, my chest tightening all over again at the thought of what could have happened.
Cambria leaned forward, her voice soft, careful. "Elira... that’s serious."
"I know." My hands twisted in my lap. "That’s what scares me. What if it happens again? What if I lose control during one of the contests? I will be disqualified, maybe even expelled. And then..." My voice cracked. "Then everything will be over before it even starts."
Silence fell heavily as the weight of my confession settled over us all. Their joy from before dimmed into worry, but not the kind that pushed me away.
They began to reach for me one by one.
Nari was first, squeezing my hand tighter, her expression fierce. "Listen to me, Elira Shaw—you are not going to let fear eat you alive. You have come too far. If I were you, I would flaunt that fire like a crown. But since you are not me."
Then, she added with a half-smile, "I will just say this: we will keep reminding you that you are stronger than you think until you finally believe it."
Her words warmed me, and I almost smiled.
Tamryn shifted closer, her tone softer, steadier. "Nari’s right, but I will add this—you are not your emotions, Elira. You are you. And you have always had a good head, even when things got rough. Trust yourself. Ground yourself. When the fire comes, remember that you hold it, not the other way around."
Her hand landed lightly on my shoulder, a steadying weight that felt like an anchor.
Cambria leaned in next, her brows furrowed, her voice calm but laced with quiet logic. "Control takes practice. That’s all. It’s like learning to write. Messy at first, but with time, your hand steadies. It’s not about perfection on day one, Elira. It’s about consistency. One day at a time."
Her words made my chest loosen a little, even if doubt still curled in the back of my mind.
And then Juniper, who had been quiet until now, reached for my other hand. Her eyes were soft, full of warmth.
"The moon goddess wouldn’t give you fire just to let it destroy you. There’s purpose in this, Elira. I believe you will find it and when you do, none of us will doubt who you are meant to be."
Her words struck deep, leaving my throat too tight to speak. My vision blurred again, but this time I didn’t feel the shame of tears.
A laugh bubbled weakly out of me, shaky but real. "You all... don’t know how much I needed to hear that."
"Of course, we know," Tamryn said with a small smile. "That’s why we said it."
Cambria, Nari and Juniper’s soft chuckle resounded in the room. It was the kind that made me feel lighter, rather than crushed.
Still, I knew there were other truths lodged in my chest, heavier ones, secrets that would change everything if I let them slip now.
But now wasn’t the right time.
I let out a small breath and shifted on the bed. "There is still... more. Important things I haven’t told you yet. But I will. Just not tonight."
That earned me four sets of widened eyes.
Nari immediately leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Then give us a hint."
I shook my head firmly, lips curving into the smallest smile. "Not a chance. I’m not falling for your tricks."
She groaned dramatically and flopped back against her pillow. "That’s unfair."
Juniper tilted her head, watching me with that calm, thoughtful gaze of hers. "Is it something shocking?"
Before I could answer, Nari shot upright again, eyes sparkling. "No, no—what she means is... is it something that will explode? Like a bomb?"
The way she said it made me laugh despite myself. My chest loosened as I smiled at her, lowering my voice into a teasing hum. "Yes. Definitely a bomb."
Cambria perked up, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Then at least give us a timeline for when you plan to drop this bomb."
I pretended to think about it, tapping my chin dramatically while they all leaned in. Finally, I lifted my brows. "On Founder’s Day."
The reaction was instant—gasps, laughter, the whole bed shaking as Nari grabbed Tamryn’s arm with mock urgency.
"Founder’s Day is so close!" Juniper said, her excitement bubbling through her voice.
Tamryn leaned forward, narrowing her eyes with playful suspicion. "Elira... is this bomb something we will all enjoy the explosion of?"
Heat rose to my cheeks at the question, though I kept my expression calm. "That," I said slowly, letting the pause drag just long enough to make them lean closer, "depends."
Their groans and laughter filled the room, washing away the last remnants of tension.
"I think I’m done for the day. You lot need to return to your beds. I need to get some sleep," I said to them, moving my eyes from one face to the other.
Nari shook her head and folded her arms. "Have you forgotten that we have to move to the study hall in like fifteen minutes?"
"Wake me up when that time reaches," I returned a smile. "Because if I don’t take a moment to rest now, studying would be useless."