Elora’s POV
Cael named three more team leaders—two guys and a girl—who filed up to join Varek at the front.
“Varek,” Cael said.
“You’re up first.”
Varek’s eyes swept the room.
They brushed over me for less than a heartbeat before I dropped my head.
“Am I free to pick anyone, or does it have to fill a specific role?”
“Your team, your call,” Cael said.
“Declan,” he said, before Cael had even finished.
The room let out one collective groan.
Not a soul had expected otherwise.
“Just get married already!” someone hollered, and the class dissolved into giggles.
Even I couldn’t smother a laugh.
Declan ambled to the front wearing a lazy, faintly embarrassed grin and took his place at Varek’s side.
As the other leaders claimed their teammates, I sat in silence, watching the seats around me slowly empty.
“Varek.
Your turn again,” Cael called.
Varek’s gaze combed the room again before it settled on Garrett.
He hadn’t been picked yet—and hadn’t been named a leader, either.
Garrett was our future Alpha: sharp, a phenomenal strategist, strong.
And no one wanted to work with him.
He was an insufferable know-it-all.
Even Declan wasn’t fond of him, and Declan liked everyone.
“I suppose I need someone with a brain,” Varek said, unhurried.
“Garrett.”
Frowns all around; no one had seen that coming.
Garrett stood with an unreadable expression and offered Varek a limp handshake.
Those two very clearly couldn’t stand each other.
That was when the self-consciousness set in.
Of the four people left, I was the only new recruit.
Everyone else had been chosen before me.
They looked like real warriors—skilled, powerful—while I was nothing but a quiet healer.
I’d already made peace with landing on the last team as the leftover, and honestly, I didn’t mind.
Those three girls seemed kind enough.
At least I wouldn’t be trapped on a team with Varek and Garrett.
Between the two of them, I couldn’t even guess which one hated me more.
I watched, close, as they traded a few low words.
I couldn’t catch any of it—but somehow both their heads snapped toward me.
All three of them.
Declan included.
I blinked, startled.
No.
Please, no.
“Varek.
Your turn,” Cael said again.
Varek’s gaze locked onto me, unfriendly, driving straight through mine.
“Four-eyes.” A sigh slid out of him.
My stomach plummeted.
Why me?
My legs shook as I pushed up from my seat and crossed to them.
Garrett’s face was blank, Varek’s was hard, and neither did a thing to explain why I was standing there at all.
“Elora.” Declan smiled with his eyes, a warmer welcome than the other two combined.
Why pick me at all, if it was going to be like this?
The rest kept assembling their teams while I hovered at the edge—until fingers closed around my wrist.
Startled, I looked up at Varek as he leaned in.
“You’re here because of your brother,” he murmured, breath hot against my ear.
“Don’t drag my team down, Four-eyes.”
Then he let go without another word and left me standing there, speechless.
I sank back and did precisely nothing while the others hashed out how to get the box to the other side.
At that point I couldn’t have cared less.
I’d find out what the deal was tonight.
Varek had said it himself.
You’re here because of your brother.
He’d made it plain he didn’t want me on his team, and since my fate sat in his hands, I knew he had no intention of letting me onto the Elite Team.
So I decided there was no point breaking a sweat.
I’d wondered why Garrett vouched for me.
Now, seated around this table, I understood exactly why.
One leader, Varek.
One combat specialist, Declan.
One strategist, Garrett—and me?
The last healer standing.
They’d had no choice but to take me.
Apparently, if I somehow made the team, this would be my team for the entire year.
Garrett knew what he wanted, and had almost certainly talked Varek into stacking every role—even if it meant tolerating me.
“Elora—focus.”
I blinked, jolted by Garrett’s voice.
First time he’d said my name in months.
His eyes were intense, like he was trying to reach me through a wall.
He knew I was hopeless at paying attention.
I’d been daydreaming through classes for years.
Every eye swung to me.
Varek’s included.
“I am focused,” I mumbled.
Garrett shook his head.
“Then what did I just say?”
My mouth went dry.
I hadn’t caught a single word—but I knew Garrett well enough to guess.
When it came to me, he always ran the same play.
“You said I shouldn’t interfere,” I said slowly, “and to stay close in case someone gets hurt.”
Garrett nodded, his expression easing a fraction.
“Yes.
And I also said the box is most likely not just a box.” He paused.
“I don’t think we’ll have to fight, or that there’ll be any healing to do.”
Great.
So, as decided, I’d just be doing nothing.