Chapter 11

Zahra's POV

Turning to my brother, but including the other three pairs, I ask, “So how did you guys all meet?”

Predictably, the love birds glance at each other and smile before anyone speaks.

“We met at a mating ball. My pack hosted,” Mara says, beaming at Zach.

“It was just after my eighteenth, Za,” Zach adds. “We all went to Night Howlers for their mating ball.” I go still, knowing they were that close to me and I had no idea. “We were hoping to see you. That was the only reason we went, since these two weren’t even eighteen yet,” he says, tipping his chin at Oscar and Eliot. “But then I smelled her as soon as I walked in the room.” He looks at Mara like she hung the moon.

“We all met first day at AC,” Oscar says, gesturing to Renee, then to Elodie and Eliot.

Helena pipes up. “Xan and I met at AC as well,” she simpers, winding an arm around Xander’s waist. “But not until the beginning of this year.” He looks down at her and she kisses his nose. For some reason the action makes my stomach pitch.

“So, Zahra,” Zach says gently, “I hear you have a boyfriend at the academy?”

The others all sit up a little straighter. Xander’s focus lands squarely on me.

“Yes. Eli and I have been together for the last two years,” I say, keeping my voice carefully neutral. Henry shifts in his chair.

“What is he like?” Mara asks.

“He just finished fourth year. He is a good cadet. Blonde hair. Brown eyes. And…” I trail off, because what else is there to say that does not open a door I do not want to walk through.

“Don’t you think you are a bit young to be dating?” Xander asks.

I scoff. “I am seventeen, Xander. I seem to remember you all dating much younger than that. Besides, you did not seem to mind so much when it was…” I stop myself. The patio goes still. Max is no longer looking at me.

“Don't you not think you should wait for your mate?” he says quietly.

A short laugh escapes me. “That is a little hypocritical coming from all of you.” They have the good sense to blush while their mates give them pointed looks.

“And the academy is lonely,” I add, softer now. “My cohort barely speak to me. I train independently. I've been cut off from everyone for three years. If it wasn't for Eli, I think I would have gone mad.” Saying it out loud tastes like metal.

Silence settles.

“What do you mean you train independently?” Eliot asks.

Henry leans forward, forearms on his knees. “You all know how exceptional Zahra is. We train her alone to hone that. Dropping her into standard cadet drills would waste her time. It would also demoralise and ostracise the others more.”

“You are that good?” Renee’s smile turns impressed. “I mean, the guys and Greg are always banging on about you, but you outclass the rest of the academy so much you have to train alone?”

Heat creeps up my cheeks. I nod once.

“Girl, I cannot wait to see you in action,” she says. Mara and Elodie grin and nod with her.

Helena lets out a tiny scoff. I hear it just fine but pretend I didn't. ‘I do not like that one,’

I mutter to Zanthe.

‘Me neither. Atlas apparently isn’t a fan either. But Xander likes to distract himself with her.’

I don’t have the energy to unpack that right now. Not today.

A moment later Lacy appears balancing a literal mountain of sandwiches. The smell of fresh bread and roast chicken wipes my brain clean. I forget everything else for a blessed minute and eat.

The guys chatter about the pack and the changes since the merger. We skirt details but I glean the outline: Xander and Max co‑future alphas, Zach and Mara are future Betas, Oscar and Noah with their mates are future Gammas, Eliot and Ralph with their mates are future Deltas. It’s a big leadership team, but we’re a massive pack now. From the way they all talk, it’s working.

They’re heading into their second year at AC in the autumn, their mates going with them. once they Graduate, Alpha Lucas will choose the handover date. From something Zach hints at, Lucas will wait until Xander finds his mate before the full transition.