Wrecked Nerves

{Elira}

~**^**~

The exam was set for 10 AM.

My heart had been pounding since dawn.

At breakfast, the food sat untouched before me, the steam curling in faint spirals I barely noticed. But finally, I forced myself to eat a little. I need the strength, I reminded myself, though every swallow felt like pushing down pebbles.

Alpha Cyprus's warm gaze rested on me. "Good luck, Elira," he said, his tone calm yet confident, as though he truly believed in me.

I tried to mirror that confidence. "Thank you, Alpha," I whispered, managing a faint smile.

Beside him, Lennon and Rennon added softly, "You'll do great," and "Just focus, Elira—you've prepared well."

Their words wove around my frayed nerves like gentle threads, holding me together.

Then, Luna Gwenith's voice cut through, sharp as frost. "Wishing luck on failed people is pointless," she snorted. "A failure will always remain one."