Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 172

She knew it all along.

With a surge of adrenaline, I bolted up the staircase, my feet pounding against the wooden steps as I raced toward the office that had become all too familiar to me. There was no time for courtesy; I didn’t even think to knock. As I burst through the door, it slammed against the wall with a force that startled its sole occupant, Valentin. His eyes widened, a mix of surprise and concern flickering across his face as I slammed the door shut behind me with equal intensity.

“Zora? What’s going on?” His gaze darted between my frantic expression and the state of my disheveled appearance. “Did someone set you on fire?”

“Call her,” I ordered, my voice sharp and commanding. “Call my mother, right now.”

Valentin hesitated, his brow furrowing as he reached for the phone on his desk. Instead of dialing, he simply lifted it to his ear, his eyes still scanning my torn training outfit, the remnants of fabric hanging off me like a tattered flag of distress.

“Victoria,” he spoke into the receiver, his voice steady despite the chaos in the room. He glanced down at the desk, then back at me. “Zora’s here.”

Without a word, he handed me the phone. I snatched it from him, my heart racing as I stood before his desk, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. The instant Victoria’s voice crackled through the line, I felt a rush of emotions flood my chest.

“Zora? What’s wrong?” Her tone was laced with concern.

“You knew,” I shot back, my voice laced with accusation.

There was a brief pause on the other end. “What?”

“You knew all four of the sons of High Alphas were my fated mates, didn’t you?” I could feel the heat rising in me, anger bubbling to the surface.

Victoria sighed, a sound heavy with resignation. “I had a hunch. It wasn’t confirmed.”

“So, you let me come to this school, letting me pretend I wouldn’t be married off anyway,” I spat, my words tumbling out in a rush fueled by frustration. “To some assholes my body has decided I’m enamored with!”

“Zora,” Victoria replied, her voice calm and soothing, a stark contrast to my fury. “That’s not how fated mates work. It isn’t your body making the choice; it’s the fates. You’d fall for them regardless of any bond—”

“It’s bullshit!” I interrupted, my voice rising. I could see Valentin tense up across the desk, but at that moment, I didn’t care. “You knew, didn’t you?”

Victoria hesitated again, and the anger within me surged, pounding against my ribcage like a caged beast. Then, I heard my mother’s sigh, and all my frustration erupted like a volcano.

“How dare you not tell me!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the small office.

“I didn’t have confirmation—”

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