Their Hidden Princess Chapter 82

I’d never been more uncomfortable than standing across from Valentin’s desk, sandwiched between Thorne and Maximus. The three of us were silent, heads bowed down as Valentin glared at us. Outside, I could hear the snarky murmurs of Loren and Bella.

Time seemed to move at the pace of a snail as we stood in front of Valentin, awaiting judgment. He’d barely spoken as he walked us across campus. He’d old told Loren and Bella to sit outside once we arrived at his office before ushering myself and my two mates into his office.

It was precisely how I landed in a room with three of the people I’d thought I had some sort of mate bond with. The room seemed to hum with the unsaid words and the small spark of power that emanated from each of the High Alphas. My hands shook with the desire to use the magiks coursing through me.

Stay calm, Mona commanded. An outburst isn’t likely to help this situation.

I’m trying, I grit out from between the barriers of my mind.

I was about at my breaking point when the tension in the room snapped as Valentin sighed heavily and slumped in his seat. His hands went to pinch the bridge of his nose as he glanced at the three of us.

“I have bigger shit to deal with than petty rumors,” he said, sounding utterly exhausted.

“Sir,” Thorne addressed Valentin, who lazily looked at the younger Alpha. “They’re not necessarily rumors. You saw how Zora attacked the Princess. As the future High Alpha Consort—”

“I’m aware of your title,” Valentin cut Thorne off with a wave of his hand. “I also know you watched the entire spar and saw what actually happened. The crown has no use for liars, Blythwitch.”

Thorne’s jaw slammed back shut. He dipped his head, eyes wide as the searched the carpet in front of his feet. Maximus crossed his arms back over his chest as he pinned the Headmaster with his gaze.

“So, it was just a rumor?” he asked. “Zora didn’t try and kill the Princess?”

“To some degree,” Valentin sighed and dropped his hand to his lap. “Though I will say some of the attacks Zora launched in defensive were far more advanced than I’ve been teaching her. Good to know rumors of her second trainer were not rumors as well.”

Maximus said nothing, expression neutral and focused on Valentin. I glanced to the side at him then looked back at the Headmaster.

“I asked him to help me,” I cut in. “After –”

After you dropped me because I told you we should be together and then you rejected me which caused my wolf to freak out,

I regret nothing, Mona said between cleaning her paws. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I looked back at Valentin. His mouth was set in a thin line. He licked the front of his teeth before speaking.

“I see,” He sighed again then stood. He pressed his fingertips into the desk in a tent. He looked at all three of us.

“What I am about to tell you,” he warned. “Is to stay between us and us only. It is of utmost importance. Do you understand?”

All three of us nodded. Valentin blinked slowly then sighed again.

“We found a vampire on the boarder of the campus last night,”

Both Maximus and Thorne stiffened. I knitted my eyebrows together. “I thought they’d all been killed during the aftermath of the war?”

“Majority of them, yes,” Valentin said. “A few escaped. They haven’t been hear of or seen in the last two decades. We assumed their threat had dissipated. Then our scouts caught the scent of one by the northern dormitories.”

“The northern dorms?” Maximus confirmed. “That’s where—”

All at once, the three male Alphas turned and looked at me. I didn’t need them to say anything to know that was where I lived. Nor did I need them to say anything to let me know they thought the vampire was looking for me. For what, it seemed Thorne and Maximus were stuck on. But Valentin’s gaze told me all I needed to know.

The vampires knew I was the Princess.

“So now what?” I asked Valentin. “You caught it. Threat gone?”

“We caught one of them,” he corrected. “Scouts smelled at least two. Likely three.”

“They’ve been growing,” Thorne said, as if working through his own thoughts.

“We believe so,” Valentin said. “Our intel has led us to believe they have been using High Dark Magiks to create more vampires through the transfer of venom and blood.”

Making more vampires? The hair on my arms stood up on edge.

“That’s unnatural,” Thorne stuttered. “Grotesque. Foul—”

“Agreed,” Valentin cut him off. “But we can’t stop Dark Magiks. We can only fight them. Which is why I’m about to propose the following.”

He moved from around his desk to stand directly in front of me. He looked to Thorne then locked his gaze on Maximus.

“You are to be appointed as Zora Smith’s second knight,”

“What the fuck?” Thorne hissed. Valentin whipped his head towards the younger Alpha. Thorne instantly shrunk in on himself. “I mean, she already has me. She doesn’t need two does she? No one besides a High Alpha has more than one knight.”

“Yes, well,” Valentin shrugged as if to insinuate that I was a High Alpha. I narrowed my eyes at him but he seemed unphased.

Thorne barked a laugh. “She’s a—” he shook his head and raised his hands. “Whatever, mate. But it still doesn’t negate the fact she already has me.”

“And do you believe you’ve been a honest and true knight?” Valentin pressed with malice in his tone.

Thorne slammed his lips shut again. Valentin turned back to Maximus. “I’ll have the paperwork sent to you by the morning,” he said. “A formal ceremony will take place during winter break.”

“I’m honored,” was the only thing Maximus could say.

Thorne was still bitter, shaking his head. “I just don’t see—”

“You’re never around Miss Smith,” Valentin snapped. “Seeing as her and Alpha Wolfham are—” He paused to give me and Maximus a scathing once over. “—entangled, it only made sense to appoint him as well. This level of threat requires dual guard working in tandem.”

Thorne growled before putting on a tight-lipped smile and nodding. Seemingly, in approvement. Or acceptation.

“Additonally,” Valentin continued. “The three of us will train together. My sentiment on Knight’s knowing the weaknesses of their protectorate stands. You’re welcome to continue training as a duo after classes, but every morning I expect you at the gym. Seven AM. Sharp.”

I nodded once then watched as Maximus did the same. Thorne seemed to grunt a “yes.” Valentin then looked between the three of us once more.

“Any questions?”

“About a million,” Thorne grumbled under his breath.

“Great,” Valentin moved back to sit at his desk. “Dismissed. And remember, no one must know about the vampire threat. Am I clear?”

The three of us nodded. Valentin sighed again before swiping his hair off of his face. “Very well. Send in the girls.”

Thorne barreled past Maximus and I and into the hall. He barely looked at Loren and Bella as he stormed off, into the Admissions building. Max and I followed behind him. As we went, I gave Loren a sad smile which she returned. Bella’s eyes were glued to me in a glare as I walked off with Maximus. The two girls then went into Valentin’s office. Maximus kept walking as I hung back. He paused and raised his eyebrow over his shoulder.

“Loren,” I said, softly. “Don’t want to leave her alone with the wrath of Bella.”

Maximus nodded once before darting his tongue out to wet his lower lip. He walked back closer to me. It was close enough that he had to tip his head down to look at me. His hand grabbed my wrist and placed my palm on his chest. The lub-dub of his heart beating under my palm immediately mixed with my own.

“Feel this?” he whispered. “It beats for only you. It protects only you. I am yours, Zora. Even if you may not be mine.”

I opened my mouth with a squeak. “I—”

“Who are you?” he asked, low and begging.

I shook my head in response, throat swelling as the words threatened to come barreling out. Maximus held my gaze for a women longer before dropping my hand.

“When you can tell me,” he said. “I’ll be ready and willing. Nothing you say could send me away.”

My eyes flittered shut as I tried to imagine what he’d do when I told him. When I opened them, he was gone.