Their Hidden Princess Chapter 96

I got back to my room around midnight and tried my best to be quiet when I walked in. It was all for nothing as I looked over and saw Loren wasn’t in her bed. I frowned and flicked on the light, allowing me to not stumble around like a bull in a China shop.

I pulled off my coat and flopping into my bed leisurely. I was still slick with sweat from training. Yet my mind felt like it was under water.

Between all the things that Valentin had told me and then Kairos seemingly trying to make nice with me, my head was a battlefield. I darted back and forth between thoughts of my mother and Valentin losing Zahara to trying to figure out what Kairos would gain from getting on my good side.

None of it made sense.

Why did Renault attack Zahara? Did Kairos think I was stupid? Valentin must’ve left out the part where he and Victoria killed Aveline. That soft look in Kairos’s eyes was so human and so unlike him. Did Valentin still have feelings for Zahara?

I slammed my hands over my eyes and bashed my palms into my eye sockets. I groaned and let them slap back down on my quilt. It appeared my night was going to be filled with horrible thoughts. I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom.

When I got back, Loren was still gone.

I furrowed my eyebrows at her perfectly made bed then looked at the clock. It was almost one in the morning. Even on nights when she stayed out late studying, she was always home by one. I toweled off my hair, worry creasing in my skin, before changing and getting in bed.

The next morning, Loren wasn’t in bed when I woke up.

Maybe she’s just with a friend, the rational part of my brain tried.

You are the small Moonbeam girl’s friend, Mona replied. I rolled my eyes.

Not helping, I said back.

Mona then huffed at me before trotting off in the back of my mind. Honestly, it helped that she was worried too. Normally, I’d let it slide but something about this time felt different. Loren never stayed away for long and a whole day was bordering on too much. I gnawed on my lip as I got dressed for the morning.

I went through a whole morning of classes without my spark of white, blonde hair popping up. By lunch, I was losing it. Maximus even stopped by to check on me. He stood next to the table, frowning.

“No Moonbeam?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t see her last night either. Is it bad that I’m worried?”

“No,” Maximus said. “It’s normal. I’ll ask Petyr if Alessia has heard from her.”

I nodded at him then watched him walk over to sit with Petyr and Kairos. Kairos seemed shocked at his boldness. Maximus hadn’t sat with the others in months. Not since he started training me. I half expected Kairos to lunge and attack Maximus but he did nothing. He tilted his head back to his meal and jabbed at it with his fork.

By the time I got back to my room, I was in full blown panic.

The panic bloomed inside of me as I noticed a piece of paper sticking out of my door. I rushed forward and snatched it before barricading myself in my room. As I peeled back the followed sheet, my panic rose.

Tonight after the sun sets. Come alone to the western forest or more blood will be spilled.

It was sign with a burgundy, wet heart.

“Fuck,” I hissed. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Calm down, Mona instructed. We need to think rationally.

“Rationally?!” I said to the no one around me. “My best friend is missing – captive! – and I’m supposed to remain calm?!”

The blood is a threat, Zora, she spat. Going there will get us killed. We should consult the High Alpha—

“Valentin isn’t going to be fast enough,” I cut her off. “It’s almost four. Sun sets in less than an hour. I have to go now.”

Zora—

I didn’t listen to the rest of what Mona had to say. I threw my back on the floor and burst out of my room. I turned to run down the stairs and ran smack into Maximus. He barely moved as I collided with him while I felt like I’d run into a wall.

“Where are you going?” he stated as if it were as casual as if it were raining.

“Loren, she—”

“Is at her parents, Zora,” Maximus cut me off. “Alessia said she meant to leave a note and forgot.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. I couldn’t tell if he was lying or not. If anyone was lying or not. All I knew was I had to try and save her.

“Oh,” I replied. “That’s a relief.”

“Agreed,” Maximus said. “I heard it directly from Alessia. There’s nothing to be worried about. So where are you going?”

Fuck.

“Hungry,” My hands flew to my stomach. Maximus raised an eyebrow

What are you doing!? Mona growled behind me. He could be useful!

Or he could get us in even more trouble, I threw back. The note said alone.

“I can walk you to dinner,” Max tried and went to turn around.

“No!” I said, quickly. I cleared my throat then stood back up and gave him a soft smile. “No thank you is what I mean.”

Maximus’s lips curled into a snarl. “You’re seeing him, huh?”

“What?” I snapped. “No, I—”

“Whatever,” Maximus snarled. “Just know my timeline still stands. End of the semester.”

He turned on his heel and marched down the hall to his room. I had to fight myself to not roll my eyes. Men were so predictable.

Focus! Mona snapped. The sun has nearly set.

I nodded to myself then bolted down the stairs and out of the dorm. I tried to walk as casually as possible across campus but there was an urgency in my step that I never had. A few students gave me weird looks but as soon as I was into the forest, beyond the tree line, I was alone.

I immediately shifted, trying not to burn through my clothing as my emotion took over. I thought most of it survived as I shook out my coat. Then, I was in full search mode. I tipped my nose to the ground and sniffed at it. There were woodsy smells then something so metallic and acidic, it almost burned my nose.

Blood.

Follow that! Mona barked. I took off, nose to the ground, paws peddling along. I don’t know how long as was facing the ground. Finally, I came to a puddle of bright red liquid. I looked up and was horrified to see a person hanging from the trees. I shifted back immediately, tearing through my jacket and leaving the cold winter air to hit my arms.

“Loren?” I whispered.

“Guess again.”

I whipped around to see who it was and immediately was slammed in the head. Darkness consumed me as I heard maniacally laughter.