Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 66

The remainder of Basics was rather mundane, but I could sense the tension thickening in the air, particularly with Maximus’s mood deteriorating steadily as the session progressed. It was as if a storm was brewing within him. Simultaneously, I was acutely aware of Kairos’s watchful gaze, which felt like a shadow looming over me, his sneer cutting through the atmosphere like a knife. To add to my discomfort, I knew I had a shifting class that afternoon, and none other than Kairos was assigned as the teaching assistant.

Throughout the entire class, he scrutinized me with hawk-like intensity, and I couldn’t help but wish I could unleash a shift, snapping my jaws to send him scurrying away. Yet, Mona was proving to be less than cooperative.

*You weren’t working with me,* she protested as I made my way to lunch, the irritation evident in her tone.

Rolling my eyes, I shot back, *I’m working as best I can. You’re the wolf; you should be the one coming out when I give you the chance.*

*You’re still not letting me,* she retorted, her tone almost whiny as she groomed her paws, the movement more reminiscent of a cat than a wolf. *You have to fully relinquish control for me to take over.*

I grabbed a sandwich from the cafeteria line, still struggling to adjust to the upscale food they served. My usual breakfast consisted of a simple banana and a granola bar, so this felt excessively extravagant. With a heavy sigh, I scanned the crowded room, hoping to spot Loren.

*I am,* I insisted to Mona, trying to convince myself as much as her.

*You’re not,* she countered, her voice tinged with frustration. *Once you accept that you and I are one, you will finally let go.*

Unable to dignify her claim with a response, I chose silence as I located an empty table and headed toward it. Loren seemed engrossed in her own class, leaving me to navigate this meal alone. I set my tray down and settled into my seat, ready to enjoy a moment of solitude.

However, I should have anticipated that peace was a luxury I would never afford at this school. No sooner had I sat down than a figure slid into the seat beside me. Startled, I turned to find Thorne Blythwitch grinning at me.

“Hi,” he greeted with an infuriating smirk. Upon noticing my meager meal, his expression shifted to one of disapproval. “That’s not going to be enough.”

“It’s been enough,” I grumbled, taking a hefty bite of my sandwich. I gestured toward him with my chin. “Can I help you?”

“Just checking in,” Thorne replied nonchalantly before diving into his own meal. “I am your Knight, after all.”

“I’m well aware of that,” I replied flatly. “Maximus is doing a perfectly adequate job of training me, thank you very much.”

Thorne’s lip twitched, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Is he?”

“Yup,” I replied defiantly, popping the “p” as I took another bite of my food. Thorne set his fork down, turning his entire body to face me, his demeanor shifting to something more serious.

“People have seen you two on the field after hours,” he said, his tone measured. I raised an eyebrow, silently questioning if this was meant to concern me. Thorne cleared his throat and locked his gaze onto mine.

“They’ve also seen you leaving his room,” he whispered, and I felt my heart drop. I froze mid-chew, setting my sandwich down with dread. Thorne’s eyes bore into mine, unyielding.

“That’s not any of your business,” I spat, trying to regain my composure.

“It is,” Thorne insisted. “Because, as I’ve stated, I am your Knight. My duty is to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection,” I snapped back, my voice sharp. “Especially not from you.”

“You don’t get it,” Thorne shot back, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. “The Wolfhams are High Alphas. They wouldn’t bother with low Alphas unless they had something to gain.”

“Are you implying I’m being used?” I sneered, my defenses rising.

Thorne narrowed his eyes, frustration etched on his face. “I’m implying you should be careful. His intentions may not be what they seem.”

I clawed at his hands, desperate to free myself. “Then take that up with them, you psycho!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the clearing.

Kairos growled low in his chest, his grip tightening as he peeled me off the tree and slammed me back against it. Panic surged through me, mingling with pain. I could feel Mona’s agitation echoing within me.

*Fight back!* she urged, her voice a frantic whisper in my mind.

Regaining my focus, I dug my nails into Kairos’s hand, but he seemed unfazed, his glare still locked on me. His nostrils flared, and then he let out a more feral growl.

“I know what you did,” he hissed, his voice low and threatening. “I can smell him on you. You’re trying to seduce him, aren’t you?”

“I’m not trying to seduce anyone!” I retorted, my voice rising in defiance.

“Liar!” Kairos roared before shoving me to the ground as if I were nothing more than a rag doll.

I skidded across the forest floor, scrambling to regain my footing, but before I could stand, Kairos was on top of me, his knees pinning my hips to the ground. I struggled against his weight, but he was too strong. In a moment of desperation, I reared back and spat in his face.

Time seemed to freeze as I watched my spit trickle down his cheek and land on my shirt. His expression morphed into a sadistic smirk, one that made my skin crawl, as if the Antichrist himself had descended upon me.

He reared back, slamming me into the ground once more. Darkness threatened to engulf my senses, but then Mona’s voice cut through the void, echoing in the emptiness of my mind.

*Let me in!* she cried. *Let me IN!*

My body ached, but I summoned every ounce of strength I had, opening myself up completely. Instantly, warmth flooded through me, and then there was only fire.