Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 18

**Where Sleeping Rivers Dream We Follow Trails Toward Tomorrow by Evan Miles Cade**
**Chapter 18**

The echo of the admissions door slamming shut reverberated through my body, sending shockwaves coursing through my veins. I stood there, frozen in disbelief, grappling with the reality of what I had just heard. The man I had connected with on such a profound level, the one I envisioned sharing my life with, had just rejected the very idea of a future together.

How could he have overlooked the signs? The very signs he had pointed out to me, as if they were a map leading us toward each other.

A nagging thought crept into my mind, insidious and unwelcome. *Maybe he was never truly honest with you,* my inner voice whispered, taunting me. *Maybe the sincerity you thought you saw was just an illusion.*

But then I recalled the moments that had drawn us together—the way he had halted the Hunt, standing like an impenetrable wall between me and danger, the fierce protection he had offered while I healed, and the gentle, yet firm, way his hands had rested on my sides.

*No, no, no!*

Anger and sorrow collided within me, hot tears threatening to spill over. I blinked furiously, trying to suppress them, and in a burst of instinct, I ran.

I dashed toward the forest, my lungs burning with each breath, the tears streaming down my cheeks like a river of despair. The campus was still quiet, the early hour keeping most students away. Those few who were around seemed oblivious to my turmoil, allowing me to push forward, propelled by a mix of grief and rage.

As I burst into the embrace of the trees, I shifted from a sprint to a more measured pace, weaving around the trunks as if they were obstacles in my mind. My chest heaved from exertion, yet, paradoxically, I felt a strange sense of clarity amidst the chaos. I quickened my pace, desperate to outrun the haunting image of his white-gold eyes that lingered in my thoughts.

But they returned, uninvited and relentless.

This felt like the ultimate betrayal. I had known Valentin for barely a week, yet I had placed my trust in him. There had been an undeniable spark of attraction, yes, but it was overshadowed by a deep-seated admiration for the man he was.

Valentin was a formidable warrior, a hero who had fought alongside my mother against the vampires. How could he not see me as anything more than a fleeting acquaintance? Even the thought of a platonic relationship seemed absurd given the bond we shared as fated mates.

My mind flickered to Bella and her confrontation with him just days ago. Had she been asking him to choose between us? Was she the one he truly desired, and that was why she harbored such animosity toward me? I had stormed into their lives, causing chaos, and now it felt as if I had robbed her of something precious.

*No, not robbed,* my inner voice interjected bitterly. *He doesn’t want you, remember?*

I despised this bitter side of myself. With a frustrated grunt, I pushed myself harder, trying to silence her. The anger she stirred within me conjured dark images of violence, of tearing Bella apart, and I gasped at the ferocity of my own thoughts. I came to an abrupt halt, leaning heavily against a sturdy tree, my heart racing as I pressed a hand against my chest.

I closed my eyes, tilting my head back to rest against the rough bark. It took mere moments for my heartbeat to steady, and just as I was about to rise, fueled by a surprising surge of energy, the rustling of leaves caught my attention. My instincts kicked in, and I stood cautiously, hands outstretched. Who knew what kind of creatures lurked within this wild expanse?

Then, as if summoned by my thoughts, a pair of beady gold eyes and a shock of cropped black hair came into view. I couldn’t help but curse under my breath.

“Why is it always you?” I spat, exasperated.

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