Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 57

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

**Chapter 57**

By the time Friday rolled around, the news had spread like wildfire—Stephen Jackell had been officially expelled from Alpha Academy. The cafeteria buzzed with hushed conversations, and I could feel the weight of the whispers pressing down on me. It was as if the very air thrummed with gossip, and all eyes seemed to dart in my direction. Yet, the moment Maximus took his seat at our table, a profound silence enveloped the room, as if he commanded the attention of everyone present. He resumed his meal with an air of indifference, but then, as he finished, he turned to me with a serious expression.

“Meet me at the outdoor track at eight tomorrow morning,” he instructed, his voice low and steady.

As Saturday dawned, both Loren and I were wide awake, though our states of mind couldn’t have been more different. Loren practically vibrated with excitement, her energy infectious, while I was a bundle of nerves, my stomach twisting in knots. What would the training session with Maximus entail? Would I feel that familiar jolt of electricity coursing through my veins like I had during our previous sparring matches? Or perhaps the intensity I’d experienced while training with Valentin?

No, I reminded myself, shaking off those thoughts. Valentin was my fated mate, and it was simply impossible to have more than one.

“Would it really be so terrible if you did?” my wolf chimed in, her voice teasingly curious. I promptly brushed her off, unwilling to entertain the idea.

Loren rummaged through her closet, determined to find the perfect outfit—something that was both revealing and functional. After much deliberation, she settled on a strappy sports bra paired with matching leggings. I felt a flush of embarrassment at the thought of her wearing just that, and insisted she let me throw on a long-sleeved shirt over it. The last thing I wanted was to attract unwanted attention as we walked across campus.

By seven forty-five, I was finally dressed and mentally preparing for the sparring session. My hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and I took a moment to do a light jog around the campus to warm up. As the sun broke free from the treetops, casting a warm glow over everything, I approached the track.

There stood Maximus, arms crossed over his broad chest, a formidable figure against the backdrop of the running track. I hesitated for a moment before continuing toward him. He was clad in sparring gear—grey shorts that clung to his powerful thighs and a fitted long-sleeve top that showcased his muscular build. When he dropped his arms, the fabric stretched across his chest, emphasizing his physique.

“Good, you’re warmed up,” he said, his tone clipped. “Saves me some time.”

“Are we on a tight schedule or something?” I shot back, raising an eyebrow. He ignored my question completely, instead bending down to rummage through a bag at his feet. I rolled my eyes, exasperated, but he remained oblivious to my irritation as he stood up, extending his hand to give me something.

I examined the object closely—it was a resistance band. I raised my eyebrows at him, a teasing smile forming on my lips. “Pilates? I didn’t take you for the type.”

“It’s for your thighs,” he corrected matter-of-factly. “The extra resistance will help build muscle faster. Something you clearly need.”

I gasped in mock outrage and playfully punched his shoulder. His massive frame barely budged. With a smirk, he snatched the resistance band from my hands and crouched down, his demeanor serious.

“Right foot up,” he commanded.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I awkwardly lifted my foot. Maximus expertly slipped the band over my foot.

“Now, the left,” he instructed, his voice gruff.

As I shifted my weight, the heat in my cheeks intensified. Maximus adjusted the band until it rested just above my knees, then he gripped the outside of my thighs. An electric pulse flowed from his fingers into my legs, and I instinctively locked my knees to suppress the shudder that threatened to overtake me. His brows knitted together as he looked up at me, his expression almost predatory.

The scene was almost too much to bear.

Maximus, kneeling before me, holding my legs while an electric current seemed to seep from his fingertips directly into my very core. He was so close, and those deep, dark gold eyes of his were locked onto mine. My heart raced, and I bit down on my lip to stifle a whimper. Just then, he cleared his throat, shattering the moment.

“Right,” he grunted as he stood tall once again, towering over me. I instinctively took a step back, mirroring his movement. He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression unreadable, though I noticed the tension in his jaw.

“Right,” I echoed with a sigh. “So, what’s next?”

“Your legs and core need work. That’s what’s keeping you from holding a stance when you take a punch,” Maximus explained with a hint of authority.

“How do you know that?” I asked, my tone a bit petulant.

Maximus blinked at me, unflinching. “I was at your fight with Kairos,” he replied, his voice steady. “I watched you take every hit as if you’d been trampled by a pack of wolves.”

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