Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 82

There I stood, feeling more out of place than ever, trapped between Thorne and Maximus as I faced Valentin’s imposing desk. The atmosphere was thick with tension, our heads bowed, each of us lost in our own thoughts while Valentin’s piercing glare bore down on us. Outside, I could faintly hear Loren and Bella exchanging snarky comments, their whispers a stark contrast to the silence enveloping our trio.

Time crawled by at a snail’s pace as we awaited our fate. Valentin had barely uttered a word during our walk across the campus, his demeanor foreboding. Upon our arrival at his office, he had instructed Loren and Bella to wait outside, leaving just the three of us to face whatever storm was brewing within these walls.

It was surreal, really, to find myself in such a charged environment with two individuals I had once believed shared a bond with me. The room pulsed with unspoken words and a flicker of power that radiated from each of the High Alphas present. My hands trembled, a fierce urge to unleash the magiks flowing through my veins almost overwhelming me.

“Stay calm,” Mona urged from within me, her voice steady and soothing. “An outburst will not aid our cause.”

“I’m trying,” I gritted back, frustration simmering just beneath the surface of my thoughts.

Just when I felt I might shatter from the mounting pressure, the atmosphere shifted as Valentin let out a heavy sigh, slumping into his chair. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose, and he cast a weary glance at the three of us.

“I have more pressing matters to deal with than childish gossip,” he stated, his voice heavy with fatigue.

“Sir,” Thorne spoke up, his voice steady yet cautious. Valentin turned his lazy gaze toward him. “These aren’t just rumors. You witnessed Zora’s attack on the Princess. As the future High Alpha Consort—”

“I am well aware of your title,” Valentin interrupted, dismissing Thorne with a wave of his hand. “You also know you observed the entire spar and understand what truly transpired. The crown has no use for deceit, Blythwitch.”

Thorne’s mouth snapped shut, and he lowered his head, eyes darting nervously to the carpet beneath us. Maximus crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering as he scrutinized the Headmaster.

“So, it was merely a rumor?” Maximus queried, his brow furrowing. “Zora didn’t attempt to harm the Princess?”

“To some extent,” Valentin sighed, his hand dropping to his lap. “However, I must admit, some of Zora’s defensive maneuvers were far more advanced than what I have been teaching her. It seems the rumors about her second trainer hold some truth.”

Maximus remained silent, his expression unreadable as he continued to focus on Valentin. I stole a glance at him before returning my attention to the Headmaster.

“I asked him for assistance,” I interjected, my voice firm. “After—”

After you rejected me, causing my wolf to spiral into chaos,

“I regret nothing,” Mona chimed in, her tone self-satisfied. I fought the urge to roll my eyes in response. I turned back to Valentin, who wore a grim expression, his mouth a thin line. He licked his lips before continuing.

“I understand,” he said, his voice heavy with contemplation. He stood up, pressing his fingertips against the desk as if seeking support. He looked at each of us in turn.

“What I am about to share must remain strictly between us,” he warned, his tone serious. “This is of utmost importance. Do you comprehend?”

All three of us nodded, the gravity of his words sinking in. Valentin blinked slowly, exhaling deeply.

“Last night, we discovered a vampire lurking at the edge of the campus.”

Both Maximus and Thorne stiffened at the revelation, while I knitted my brows together in confusion. “I thought they were all exterminated in the aftermath of the war?”

“Most of them, yes,” Valentin confirmed. “However, a few managed to escape. They haven’t been heard from or seen in nearly twenty years. We assumed their threat had diminished. Then our scouts picked up the scent of one near the northern dormitories.”

“The northern dorms?” Maximus echoed, realization dawning on him. “That’s where—”

In unison, the three male Alphas turned their gazes toward me, and I didn’t need them to articulate the unspoken concern—they believed the vampire was searching for me. I could see the confusion in Thorne and Maximus’s eyes, but Valentin’s expression told me everything I needed to know.

The vampires were aware of my identity as the Princess.

“So what happens now?” I asked Valentin, my heart racing. “You captured it, so the threat is neutralized?”

“We apprehended one,” he corrected. “Our scouts detected at least two, possibly three.”

“They’re multiplying,” Thorne said, his mind clearly racing to connect the dots.

“That is our belief,” Valentin replied. “Our intelligence suggests they have been utilizing High Dark Magiks to create more vampires through the transfer of venom and blood.”

I nodded once, observing as Maximus mirrored my gesture. Thorne let out a reluctant grunt of agreement.

“Any questions?” Valentin asked, his tone suggesting he was ready to dismiss us.

“About a million,” Thorne mumbled under his breath, earning a slight smirk from me.

“Fantastic,” Valentin replied, returning to his desk. “You are dismissed. And remember, the vampire threat must remain a secret. Is that clear?”

All three of us nodded in unison. Valentin sighed once more, brushing his hair back from his face. “Very well. Send in the girls.”

Thorne stormed past Maximus and me, barely acknowledging Loren and Bella as he rushed out into the Admissions building. Max and I trailed behind him, and as we walked, I offered Loren a sad smile, which she returned with a sympathetic nod. Bella, however, glared at me with narrowed eyes as I walked away with Maximus. The two girls then entered Valentin’s office, and Maximus continued walking, but I lingered for a moment.

“Loren,” I called softly, not wanting to leave her alone to face Bella’s wrath.

Maximus nodded once, then darted his tongue out to moisten his lower lip. He stepped closer to me, tilting his head down to meet my gaze. His hand grasped my wrist, placing my palm against his chest. The rhythmic beat of his heart pulsing beneath my palm intertwined with my own, creating an electric connection between us.

“Do you feel this?” he whispered, his voice low and intense. “It beats solely for you. It protects only you. I am yours, Zora, even if you may not be mine.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but only a squeak escaped. “I—”

“Who are you?” he asked, his tone low and pleading.

I shook my head, my throat tightening as the words threatened to spill out. Maximus held my gaze for a moment longer before reluctantly releasing my hand.

“When you’re ready to tell me,” he said softly, “I’ll be here, waiting. Nothing you say could ever drive me away.”

My eyes fluttered shut as I envisioned the moment I would finally reveal my truth to him. But when I opened them again, he was gone.