Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 125

A low growl echoed in the recesses of my mind, a familiar sound that belonged to Mona, a warning that urged caution.

With hesitant determination, I took another step forward, but suddenly, a solid arm shot out, pressing against my stomach and halting my advance. My instinct was to lash out, fueled by the simmering anger bubbling within me. When I turned to confront the obstacle, I was taken aback to find Thorne standing there, an unexpected barrier between me and my target.

“It isn’t worth it,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet heavy with urgency. “Engaging with her will only serve to validate Amara’s accusations.”

I shoved his arm aside, irritation flaring. “Why do you even care about proving Amara right?” I snapped, my voice laced with venom. “You already made it clear to everyone that I was the one who attacked her. Now, you want to play the protector?”

Fueled by the heat of the moment, I made a move to charge at Bella, but Thorne’s arm shot out again, this time with a force that made me stumble back. I glared up at him, my frustration palpable as our eyes locked.

“I suggest you release my mate if you have any sense left,” he growled, his tone low and threatening.

In that tense moment, both Thorne and I turned to see Maximus and Loren finally catching up to the fray. Their expressions were fierce, eyes narrowed as they glowered at Thorne, who still had me in his grasp. Loren stood defiantly, hands firmly planted on her hips, her chest puffed out with indignation. Maximus, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow, silently challenging Thorne to make a wrong move. Thorne, feeling the pressure, dropped his arm and directed a sneer at Maximus.

“Your mate?” he scoffed, incredulity dripping from his tone. “That’s rich coming from you.”

“Is it?” Maximus shot back, a mocking smile creeping onto his face. “Considering you’ve severed your bond, I wouldn’t expect you to grasp the concept of loyalty.”

Thorne let out a humorless laugh, a sound devoid of any real mirth, and took a deliberate step toward Maximus. The air between them thickened with unspoken animosity, both men’s faces twisted in anger and resentment. As Thorne stepped closer, their noses nearly brushed, the tension crackled like static.

I instinctively slammed my hands over my ears, the sheer force of the voice reverberating through my body. Loren and Bella mirrored my actions, both of them momentarily pausing in their struggle. Even the wolves, Thorne and Maximus, whimpered in response to the authoritative command.

I turned my gaze toward the source of the voice and found Valentin standing there, a storm of rage brewing in his eyes. They glimmered with an almost predatory gold, as if his wolf was fighting to break free from within him. His hair seemed to defy gravity, floating around him, and the long black robes he wore billowed as if caught in an unseen wind. It felt as though time itself had halted, and every person in the cafeteria was frozen in place, caught in the grip of his presence.

Valentin’s gaze swept over the two girls grappling on the floor, then shifted to the wolves who were lowering their heads in submission at his right. Finally, his piercing eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

“My office,” he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. “Now.”