Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 52

**Chapter 52**

The air outside Kairos Moonraiser’s house felt heavy with uncertainty, and any semblance of confidence I had managed to muster evaporated the moment I stepped onto the porch. The reality of my situation hit me like a cold wave: I was about to enter the lair of someone who had made it abundantly clear he despised me and had even attempted to end my life on more than one occasion. To make matters worse, Loren had dressed me in an outfit that was far from appropriate.

The skirt she had chosen was scandalously short, barely grazing my thighs, while the top clung to me like a second skin, leaving far too much of my midriff exposed. Loren insisted it was a stylish crop top, but on her petite frame, it looked entirely different than it did on my curvier body. I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the house’s window, and a wave of self-consciousness washed over me. I felt like a walking advertisement for all the wrong choices.

“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?” I asked for what felt like the hundredth time, my voice tinged with anxiety.

“Absolutely,” Loren reassured me, her tone bright and unwavering. “It’s not just Kairos who lives here. Thorne, Maximus, and Petyr are around too. Besides, there’s a whole crowd already. Trust me, they won’t even notice we’re here.”

I tugged at the hem of my skirt, feeling it inch upward with every step. “Who invited us again?” I inquired, my mind racing with apprehension.

“Sissy!” Loren exclaimed as if the answer was as obvious as the sun in the sky. “She specifically asked me to bring you along.”

A knot formed in my stomach at the mention of Alessia. Our first encounter hadn’t exactly been warm and inviting; she was a fierce warrior with a reputation for being as unforgiving as Kairos himself. And as Petyr’s mate, her loyalty to him—and by extension, to Kairos—made me feel like a fish out of water. The whole scenario felt like a trap waiting to spring.

“Alright,” I conceded, my voice barely above a whisper as we climbed the steps to the entrance.

As we approached, I noticed several students lounging on the porch, red cups in hand, laughter spilling into the air. A few of them were smoking something that wafted toward me, and I recognized it immediately. Could werewolves even get high? The thought was both amusing and perplexing.

Once inside, I was engulfed by a cacophony of sounds—music blared, voices shouted, and laughter echoed. I flinched, trying to filter out the chaos and focus on the steady pulse of the house. Loren beckoned me to follow her, and I maneuvered through the throngs of people, my eyes fixed on the shimmering bob of her silver hair.

We finally arrived at a makeshift bar in the kitchen, which appeared to have been hastily assembled to accommodate the thirsty crowd. Loren tugged me closer to her as she leaned over the counter.

“What do you want to drink?” she shouted over the din, her enthusiasm infectious.

I shrugged, not entirely sure what I was in the mood for. “Whatever you’re having,” I replied, hoping it wouldn’t be anything too strong.

Loren waved her hand to catch the attention of one of the Alphas behind the bar. He was a third-year student I recognized from Kairos’s circle. He flashed Loren a wink before his gaze roamed over me, making me feel exposed. As he handed us our drinks, I felt a mix of embarrassment and confusion.

“Have fun!” he called out, his voice barely audible above the music.

I blinked at him, caught off guard by his sudden friendliness. Loren grabbed her drink and waved goodbye to the Alpha, her excitement palpable. I took a moment to examine my cup, filled to the brim with a vibrant pink concoction. It sparkled under the dim lights, looking almost magical. Hesitantly, I took a sip. The taste was a whirlwind—sharp alcohol met with a sickly sweet flavor, followed by an unexpected herbal note. It was strange but not entirely unpleasant.

Having consumed very little alcohol in my life, I didn’t have much to compare it to, but I figured it was worth a second taste.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify