Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 23

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

**Chapter 23**

The gym buzzed with the chaotic energy of a crowd, a sea of faces and voices that melded into a cacophony of noise.

I could feel the tension in the air as I approached the sparring mats, the sound of jeers and boos echoing around me like a chorus of disapproval. Most of the spectators had moved aside, creating a narrow path for me, but one mat remained untouched, gleaming as if it had just been polished to perfection. At the center stood Kairos, a formidable figure radiating confidence and strength.

With each step I took, I lifted my chin, letting my gaze cut through the crowd like a knife. I could sense the wolves trying to intimidate me, their snarls and growls meant to rattle my nerves, but I stood my ground. As I neared the mat, I noticed two figures flanking Kairos—Thorne and Maximus, both of them exuding a menacing aura that only heightened the stakes of the impending confrontation.

My inner voice sneered, *He doesn’t care about you at all.*

*Why did I even think he might?* I shot back internally. Just because we were fated mates didn’t mean he had any affection for me. If anything, being linked to a girl who lacked a wolf must infuriate him even more.

Ignoring my inner voice’s mockery, I focused on the task at hand. I needed to channel my energy into the match. Stepping onto the mat, I waited for the crowd’s clamor to subside. Their roars grew louder, a wave of sound that surged through the gym until Thorne raised his hand, commanding silence with an authoritative presence.

“The rules are simple,” he declared, his voice cutting through the tension. “Best two out of three fights. The winner will be announced by Maximus.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I couldn’t help but challenge the fairness of it all. “How is this even remotely fair?”

Maximus’s voice was like ice, slicing through my protest. “Not everything in life is fair, human.”

That crushed any sliver of hope I had for an ally in this fight. I rolled my eyes, feeling the crowd’s energy swell again. Thorne raised his hand once more, silencing them with a gesture.

“All sparring techniques are allowed,” he continued. “A knockout results in an automatic win. Fighters, take your positions.”

I stepped further into the mat, my heart pounding in my chest. Maximus and Thorne retreated into the crowd, leaving me alone to face Kairos. Remembering Valentin’s teachings, I positioned myself with my right foot forward, shoulders squared to my opponent. The crowd’s excitement was palpable, a living entity that thrummed around us.

In the back of the gym, I spotted Loren and Valentin standing side by side. Loren was nervously gnawing on her nails, a clear sign of her anxiety. Valentin’s expression, however, was stern, his brow furrowed. Our eyes locked, and he mouthed a single word: *Speed.*

“Begin!” Thorne shouted, and with that, the world narrowed to just me and Kairos.

He charged at me with a fierce yell, his fist raised high like a battering ram. I quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding his initial attack. He blinked in surprise, then pivoted back to face me, unleashing a rapid-fire series of punches. I blocked them, each impact sending a jolt of pain through my arms, but I knew it was better than taking a direct hit to the face.

As he wound up for a third punch, I ducked under his swing, rolling to my feet behind him. With a swift motion, I drove my heel into the back of his knee. He fell, but it barely fazed him. In an instant, he swung his leg around in a move reminiscent of the one Valentin had used to floor me the previous week.

I leapt over his leg, my fist connecting with his ribs. He grunted, surprise flickering across his face before it twisted into a snarl.

“Stop dancing, pup,” he barked, irritation lacing his tone. “We’re here to fight.”

“I am trying,” I retorted, blocking a high kick that stung my bicep. “But it seems my opponent prefers to toy with his prey.”

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