Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 130

**Zora**

The morning after my week of relentless nightmares unfolded with an unexpected calmness. It was almost ironic, considering it was a Monday. Perhaps the universe had decided to grant me a brief respite, or maybe it was the chill that had finally settled over the campus, wrapping everything in a delicate layer of snow that sparkled like tiny diamonds under the weak winter sun. Whatever the reason, I felt like I had become invisible.

As I strolled into Basics alongside Loren, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was merely a ghost haunting the halls. The training session earlier with Thorne, Maximus, and Valentin had also been surprisingly uneventful. Sure, there were a few low growls from Maximus whenever Thorne got too close to me, and a sharp retort from Valentin when Maximus playfully shoved me to the ground, but overall, it was a smooth session. I had shared the details of my morning with Loren as we made our way to Basics, and I could see her eyes light up with curiosity.

“What’s it like to have three Alphas vying for your attention?” she asked, her voice dripping with a dreamy sigh.

“Exhausting,” I replied flatly, trying to suppress a smile. “But enough about my drama. Tell me about your Alpha.”

Loren’s cheeks flushed as she recounted her encounter with her mysterious girl from the library the previous night. Apparently, they had crossed paths in a way that left Loren buzzing with excitement. She had intended to share the details the moment she returned home, but I had been too engrossed in my studies to notice her arrival. Now, as we stood in the hallway, this was our first real opportunity to delve into her story.

Just as Loren began to spill the beans about her plans to approach the girl, we stepped into Basics. I braced myself for the usual onslaught of glares and judgment, but was instead met with a peculiar silence. The eyes that usually bore into me now seemed distant and uninterested. I exchanged a puzzled glance with Loren, who mirrored my confusion.

“What’s going on?” I mouthed silently, my brow furrowing in concern.

Neither of us could quite put our fingers on it, but something felt off. The atmosphere in Basics was eerily smooth, devoid of the usual snide remarks and catty comments. It was as if someone had cast a spell to erase the tensions that had plagued us for weeks.

As for me, unlike Loren, I had no immediate obligations. A hot shower and a comforting PB&J sandwich sounded like the perfect remedy for my morning. I peeled off my training gear and tossed it onto the bench by the showers, relishing the warmth of the steam that enveloped me. To my surprise, the locker room was empty, allowing me to take my time and indulge in the communal soaps, lathering my hair and body until I felt like a walking bouquet of roses and sunshine.

After what felt like an eternity of bliss, I turned off the water and stepped out, only to discover that the shelf where the towels were supposed to be was completely bare. A frown creased my forehead as I poked my head out into the locker room, hoping to find a stray towel somewhere. My heart sank when I saw one lone towel sitting on the other shelf, fluffed and ready for use.

This, of course, meant I had to make a mad dash across the locker room, completely exposed. I glanced around, noting that most of the others had already left, leaving only a few solitary figures changing in various corners. Taking a deep breath, I made my decision.

With my wet feet slapping against the cool tiles, I sprinted toward the towel, water still trickling down my skin. Just as I reached out to grab it, a perfectly manicured hand snatched it away. I turned, irritation bubbling inside me, only to be momentarily blinded by a flash of light.