Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 174

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Milesa Cade 174**

One down.

I pivoted on my heel, glancing back to see Maximus had just hurled his training dummy across the gym, the lifeless figure soaring through the air with a grace that belied its clumsy design. Thorne was on the floor, grappling with his own dummy, struggling to maintain control as it flopped around like a fish out of water. A smirk danced across Max’s lips as he sauntered over, casually plucking Thorne’s dummy off him as if it were a mere feather and tossed it atop his first attacker with a flourish. Thorne rolled over, his expression darkening into a scowl.

“I had it!” he snapped, indignation lacing his voice like a sharp blade.

Maximus chuckled, the sound low and teasing. “I wouldn’t exactly describe it that way,” he replied, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm. Just then, another dummy charged at them, resembling an oversized toddler on a sugar high. In a split second, Maximus extended his arm, delivering a swift punch that sent the dummy careening away from Thorne, who turned to glare at Max, fury simmering in his eyes.

“Back off, Wolfham!” he barked, his frustration palpable.

Max snorted, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “What kind of knight are you? Can’t even keep a bag of sand from taking you down,” he retorted, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Thorne, unable to hold back his temper, shoved Max in the chest. “Fuck you, mate!” he spat, the heat of their rivalry crackling in the air.

Maximus, undeterred, shoved him back with equal force, sending Thorne stumbling off the mat. In a swift motion, Max turned and kicked another dummy squarely in the head, the sound of impact echoing through the gym. He then followed up with a punch aimed at the spot where the dummy’s face should have been, his frustration evident. By this point, Thorne had regained his footing and charged at Maximus, tackling him to the floor. They landed in a heap of limbs next to the fallen dummy, a chaotic tangle of fur and muscle as they scrambled for dominance, their movements a blur of grabbing shirts and tugging at hair rather than landing any real punches.

From my vantage point, I could see Valentin turn over his shoulder, momentarily distracted from his own battle with two dummies. His expression twisted into a scowl, and he muttered under his breath, “Gods above,” as he focused his magic. With a flick of his wrist, one of the dummies snapped in half at the waist, and he followed it up with a powerful elbow strike to the back of its head, the sound resonating like a thunderclap in the gym.

The heat was oppressive, making the air feel thick and stifling.

I found myself transfixed, watching as Valentin strode over to where the two wolves were still entangled on the floor. With a swift motion, he pushed his palm toward them, and Maximus was abruptly flung off Thorne, crashing onto the gym mat. Valentin then seized Thorne by the back of his shirt, yanking him to his feet with a fierce scowl etched across his face.

“Is your problem with Wolfham really more important than defending your mark?” he snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. “Get it together!”

As if suddenly recalling my presence, Thorne whipped his head around to meet my gaze. His eyes widened in realization, and in an instant, he and Valentin were both charging toward me, but it was already too late. A heavy weight collided with my side, knocking the breath from my lungs and sending me crashing to the floor beneath whatever had tackled me. I was pinned down, completely at the mercy of my assailant.

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