Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 158

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

“Mona!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the dimly lit room, filled with an unsettling tension.

“The chains,” she urged, her voice sharp and urgent. “They must be magik! They’re preventing you from shifting!”

I struggled against the cold metal binding me, a sharp hiss escaping my lips as searing pain shot through the areas where the silver bit into my skin. Below me, Gareth’s laughter rang out, cruel and mocking.

“Nice try, pup,” he jeered, his tone dripping with disdain. “Those chains are laced with wolfsbane. You’re out of luck if you think you can shift now.”

“Stupid bitch,” the man beside Gareth sneered, his expression twisted with malice. “I can’t wait to see the light fade from your eyes as we drain you dry.”

The man who Gareth had tossed aside had finally regained his footing. He looked up at me, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he licked his bottom lip. A primal fear surged within me, igniting a deep-seated instinct to flee.

“She smells so good,” he groaned, his voice thick with desire.

“Stand down, Wesley,” Gareth barked, irritation lacing his words. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Wesley turned to Gareth, a frown marring his features, but then he took a deliberate step closer to where my blood dripped, pooling on the floor. He extended a hand, catching a drop of crimson between his fingers, his eyes glinting with hunger.

“Wesley!” Gareth shouted, lunging toward him.

“Just a taste!” Wesley whined, his voice almost childlike as he shoved his fingers into his mouth, savoring the forbidden flavor.

Before Gareth could reach him, Wesley vanished in a cloud of smoke, accompanied by a shriek so piercing it made my ears ring. We were left in stunned silence, staring at the empty space where Wesley had stood. The only sound was the rhythmic splatter of my blood as it fell into the bucket below, a grim reminder of my predicament.

The other man, with his tousled brown hair, frowned up at me, confusion etched on his face. “I thought you said wolfsbane kills all their magiks,” he remarked, glancing back at Gareth.

“It’s supposed to,” Gareth replied slowly, stepping back from the blood bucket, his gaze still fixed on me. “Guess this one’s a special pup, huh? What’s your secret, Wolfie? Why are you so important?”