Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 21

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade**
**Chapter 21**

The first weekend at Alpha Academy unfolded with an unexpected calmness that left me slightly bewildered.

It was an immersion in study sessions with Loren, nestled in the hushed corners of the library, followed by bouts of sparring in the gym. By the time Sunday evening rolled around, I had managed to pin Loren down twice, each victory coming with a little more force than the last. Loren, ever the realist, was quick to remind me of her lack of sparring prowess, insisting that Kairos was the true expert among us. Yet, I found myself not caring much for her modesty. Just a week prior, I wouldn’t have dreamed of achieving such feats.

Perhaps my wolf was truly beginning to awaken within me.

Monday dawned with the usual grind of Basics. Coach had me running sprints and laps, pushing me to quicken my pace. He informed me that I would be rerunning the Run at the end of the week. If I succeeded, I would be free from supplementary training and could join the others in sparring sessions.

I was determined to conquer the Run.

So, when Monday night brought a note from Valentin, I felt a surge of purpose for Tuesday morning. Sure, there would be an awkwardness lingering from my outburst on Friday, but I believed that Valentin genuinely wanted to assist me.

Just as I was about to step into the gym from the locker room, I was halted by the sound of hushed voices. Curiosity piqued, I slipped behind the door, straining to catch snippets of their conversation.

“Choose me, Valentin!”

His voice was calm yet firm as he replied, “I would if I could, love, but the Queen has forbidden me from taking a mate until she decides who the Princesses’ fated mate is.”

“I’m tired of waiting,” Bella’s voice was a sharp edge, cutting through the air.

It was unmistakably Bella, her frustration palpable. I leaned in closer, desperate to glean more of their exchange.

“Bella, please,” Valentin implored, his tone urgent. “Keep your voice down.”

“Don’t tell me to keep my voice down when you’re acting like this!” Bella shot back, her anger simmering. After a brief pause, she added, “You’re dishonoring my parents.”

Valentin’s voice turned stern. “Bella, I’ve been very clear about my arrangement with the Queen. You should feel fortunate that I even considered your parents’ offer after the chaos they caused for the crown. They’ve brought dishonor upon their own name.”

Silence enveloped the space for a moment before the sharp click of Bella’s heels echoed as she stormed toward the door. I instinctively shrank back, my heart racing. The door swung open, and there she was, glaring down at me, her golden eyes ablaze with fury. As I slowly rose, she turned her head back toward Valentin, who I knew was still in the gym.

“Tell your pet,” she spat venomously, “to keep her mouth shut—and we won’t have a problem.”

With that, the door slammed shut behind her, the sound reverberating in the stillness as she stormed off into the locker room, her long black ponytail trailing behind her like a dark comet. I hesitated for a moment before stepping into the gym, where Valentin was pacing on the sparring mats.

He wore a training outfit similar to the one from our previous week, but today his hair was down, curling around his ears, and he tugged at it in frustration. I approached the sparring mats cautiously.

“Sorry,” he murmured, his voice softening. “She seems to have a knack for knowing when to corner me.”

I couldn’t help but hum in agreement. “I can see that.”

A part of me wanted to pry, to ask him what the argument with Bella had been about. But as I took in his disheveled hair and the dark circles under his eyes, I decided against it. I inhaled deeply, summoning my courage before voicing my request.

“Coach mentioned I’d be rerunning the Run at the end of the week,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my endurance. I’d really appreciate the chance to run through it from start to finish just once before I redo it. It would really help boost my confidence.”

Valentin turned to face me, nodding with a stiff resolve. He gathered his hair into a ponytail, securing it with a band. “Alright, let’s start with that. I’ll pace you for the fifteen laps within the allotted time. If you can match or beat me, we’ll count it as a win.”

I nodded in agreement, feeling a rush of determination. Valentin led us off on a warm-up lap, and I managed to keep pace with him. After we finished, we stood side by side, stretching before I began my run. Throughout the warm-up, I couldn’t help but watch him. The way his hair was pulled back highlighted his strong jawline and high cheekbones, making him appear even more striking than usual. A warmth blossomed in my stomach that was both thrilling and unnerving. I tried to shake it off, but it lingered, spreading through me.

As he circled me, attempting to strike from behind, I sidestepped and kicked hard, my foot connecting with the middle of his chest. He stumbled back, and a wave of panic washed over me.

“Oh my god, oh my god!” I shrieked, horrified. “I’m so sorry, did I—”

Before I could finish my frantic apology, I found myself on my back. Valentin had swiftly used his free leg to sweep mine out from under me. I scrambled to regain my footing, but I was too slow. He climbed on top of me, pinning my hips down with a surprising gentleness. He grasped both of my hands in one of his, while his other hand found its way around my neck, holding my head down.

I froze, my chest rising and falling rapidly in sync with his. The familiar gentle thrum returned, echoing in my ears.

Lub dub, lub dub, lub dub.

I gazed up at Valentin, so close that I could see the flecks of gold in his brilliant white eyes. Waves of electricity coursed through me, making my knees tremble. I arched my back, pressing against him, chasing the intoxicating sensation that surged through my body.

My lips parted slightly, and as more of our bodies touched, Valentin’s lips mirrored my action. His eyes fluttered shut, a low, pained grunt escaping him. He dropped his head to rest against my chest, his grip tightening around my wrists and neck. I instinctively extended my neck, and he buried his face into the space between my shoulder and the floor.

A soft whimper slipped from my lips, and in that moment, Valentin stilled. He was fighting against something powerful, something undeniable. But we were inevitable.

“How was that?” I whispered, my breath hitching against the shell of his ear.

In an instant, he was off me, standing tall above me, composed and collected. He smoothed out the front of his shirt, turning away as he pressed a hand to his lips, leaving me still on the floor, bewildered. I sat up slowly.

“Valentin?” I called, my voice laced with confusion.

“It was barely adequate,” he replied sharply, his tone harsher than usual. I could sense the tension in his words. He turned to lock eyes with me, his expression unreadable. “Get up and go again.”