Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 13

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Miles Cade**

Chapter 13

I shifted in my seat, a wave of discomfort washing over me. Perhaps Victoria had kept her lips sealed about this particular detail. “Like the guys she’s chosen for me?” I muttered under my breath, the words barely escaping my lips. “The ones who could be my fated mate?”

Valentin’s gaze fell to the floor, his expression clouded. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, a nervous habit I had come to recognize, before pulling the door open wider. His eyes flickered back to mine, and for a brief moment, I felt a connection, a silent understanding.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Princess,” he said, his voice soft yet firm. With that, he stepped out, and the door slammed shut behind him, leaving me enveloped in solitude once more.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I sank back against the bed, the weight of unanswered questions pressing down on me. Why hadn’t Valentin revealed the identity of my final fiancé? I was simply trying to steer clear of the chaos surrounding me, for crying out loud!

My fingers instinctively began to pick at the bandages covering my wounds. Curiosity piqued, I peeled back the one on my chest. A gasp escaped me as I stared down at the skin beneath.

Valentin had mentioned my slow healing, but to my astonishment, my wound was practically nonexistent. A jagged pink line marked where a tree branch had pierced my skin, but it was healing at a pace that far surpassed any of my previous injuries.

For the first time since being thrown into this peculiar world, I felt a surge of pride. I was finally beginning to feel like a true wolf.

The exhilaration coursed through me, igniting a spark of hope.

With that thought in mind, I decided it was time to catch some much-needed rest. I was safe here, tucked away in the quiet corner of the infirmary, far removed from the nonsense that had plagued me.

The next morning, I awoke feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. I made my way to the head nurse, eager to hear the news about my recovery. To my delight, all my wounds had healed, and I felt as though nothing had ever happened. Energy surged through me as I left the infirmary, striding across the campus with newfound determination.

The day before, I had been relentlessly pursued by several of the wolves Kairos had sent after me, but today, the path to the gym was eerily quiet. No snarling faces lurked in the shadows, and I relished the solitude of my walk.

As I approached the imposing metal doors of the gym, a flicker of anxiety twisted in my stomach. My last visit had ended in failure—not only had I struggled with the run, but I had also made an enemy out of Maximus. Would today’s training lead to another round of embarrassment?

I shoved that thought aside just as I caught sight of Valentin. He was clad in dark grey sweatpants and a light grey long-sleeved shirt, the fabric hugging his muscles. The sleeves were rolled up, exposing forearms that rippled with strength.

A wave of attraction washed over me, and I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure. Valentin met my gaze and offered a soft smile. “Good morning,” he said, his voice warm and inviting.

“Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest. “The nurse cleared me for classes today. I’m ready to train.”

“That’s great to hear,” Valentin replied, his eyes lighting up. “Let’s kick things off with some light stretches. I’ll quiz you on some of our history while we warm up with a lap around the track.”

I nodded, a sense of anticipation building within me. As I began a light jog, I was surprised to find Valentin keeping pace beside me. I tried to focus on the rhythm of my breath, but the sight of him was distracting.

About a hundred yards into our lap, Valentin broke the silence. “So, I assume you’ve read the handbook,” he said, his tone casual. “You should have some knowledge about the history of our kind.”

I nodded, eager to hear more. “Right, so the war lasted for ten years. Before that, we were enslaved by vampires for centuries.”

His voice carried a weight of history, and I listened intently. “It wasn’t until your mother rose to power that someone finally took action. She fought against the vampires in every way possible, organizing secretly until we had an army strong enough to break free.”

“You fought alongside her?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Valentin nodded, a fond smile gracing his lips. “She has been my closest friend since childhood. I know her heart is pure, whether you believe it or not. Everything she does, she does out of love for you.”

I snorted, my brows furrowing in skepticism. We were nearing the end of our lap, and I couldn’t help but question his words. “Wait, if you’re my mother’s childhood friend, how old are you?”

As we reached the finish line, he stopped, a coy smirk playing on his lips. I followed suit, still puzzled. He brushed his hair back, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

How is he so undeniably attractive?

He’s literally your mother’s best friend. Get a grip, I chastised myself internally.

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