Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 149

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow**

“Fucking hells,” Valentin muttered under his breath, his voice low and strained as he carefully extricated himself from the warm embrace of his mate. The moment he shifted away, he caught sight of Zahara’s sulky pout, a sight that tugged at his heart. He paused for a fleeting second, leaning down to place a tender kiss on her cheek, the warmth of her skin lingering on his lips. With a heavy heart, he made his way to the door, swinging it open with a sense of foreboding.

To his surprise, standing there was none other than his sister-in-law, Victoria, her expression a mixture of urgency and determination.

“Come to admonish me again, sister?” he drawled, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm, masking the tension that bubbled beneath the surface.

“No,” Victoria replied sharply, pushing past him and into their home with an air of authority. Her gaze was immediately drawn to Zahara. “Pack a bag. You’re leaving. Now.”

“What?” Zahara squeaked, her voice laced with confusion and disbelief. “Why on earth would I be leaving?”

Victoria bit down on her bottom lip, a gesture that spoke volumes of her inner turmoil, before her eyes flickered back to Valentin.

“They’re coming,” she said, the weight of her words crashing down on them like a tidal wave.

In an instant, Valentin felt his world shatter, the ground beneath him giving way.

“How do you know?” he hissed, his heart racing as he hastily donned his armor, the familiar weight of the metal offering him a semblance of security.

He could hear Zahara rummaging through the bedroom, her frantic movements betraying her panic as she tossed aside clothes and old photographs, desperately searching for their most cherished belongings. The sound of clattering objects echoed through the house, a chaotic symphony of urgency and fear.

“Informant,” Victoria said, her voice steady but quick as she began to pace in their cramped living space. “Confirmed by the watch. A cluster of dark magiks and shadows has gathered a few kilometers east of the lake.”

“The lake?! Shit,” Valentin cursed, the reality of the situation dawning on him as he pulled one armored boot up his leg. “That can’t be more than an hour west.”

“Precisely,” Victoria confirmed, her eyes narrowing with determination. “We believe they’re planning to strike just as the sun sets. The first wave will serve as a distraction, sacrificing the vampires in front to the last rays of sunlight before the entire horde descends upon us.”

“Half our forces are engaged in trying to reclaim Wolfham Manor right now,” Valentin hissed, frustration and fear coursing through him. “We have little to no one stationed here to defend ourselves.”

“Trust me, I know,” Victoria replied, her tone softening slightly. “Moonraiser has already given me an earful about the situation. It’s precisely why she’s leaving.”

Valentin turned sharply to see Zahara standing behind him, her expression a mix of fear and determination. Instinctively, he rushed forward, cupping her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, grounding himself in her presence before turning back to Victoria.

“Where are you sending her that’s safe?” he demanded, his voice low but urgent.

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