Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 66

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

**Chapter 66**

The remainder of Basics was rather mundane, but I could sense the tension thickening in the air, particularly with Maximus’s mood deteriorating steadily as the session progressed. It was as if a storm was brewing within him. Simultaneously, I was acutely aware of Kairos’s watchful gaze, which felt like a shadow looming over me, his sneer cutting through the atmosphere like a knife. To add to my discomfort, I knew I had a shifting class that afternoon, and none other than Kairos was assigned as the teaching assistant.

Throughout the entire class, he scrutinized me with hawk-like intensity, and I couldn’t help but wish I could unleash a shift, snapping my jaws to send him scurrying away. Yet, Mona was proving to be less than cooperative.

*You weren’t working with me,* she protested as I made my way to lunch, the irritation evident in her tone.

Rolling my eyes, I shot back, *I’m working as best I can. You’re the wolf; you should be the one coming out when I give you the chance.*

*You’re still not letting me,* she retorted, her tone almost whiny as she groomed her paws, the movement more reminiscent of a cat than a wolf. *You have to fully relinquish control for me to take over.*

I grabbed a sandwich from the cafeteria line, still struggling to adjust to the upscale food they served. My usual breakfast consisted of a simple banana and a granola bar, so this felt excessively extravagant. With a heavy sigh, I scanned the crowded room, hoping to spot Loren.

*I am,* I insisted to Mona, trying to convince myself as much as her.

*You’re not,* she countered, her voice tinged with frustration. *Once you accept that you and I are one, you will finally let go.*

Unable to dignify her claim with a response, I chose silence as I located an empty table and headed toward it. Loren seemed engrossed in her own class, leaving me to navigate this meal alone. I set my tray down and settled into my seat, ready to enjoy a moment of solitude.

However, I should have anticipated that peace was a luxury I would never afford at this school. No sooner had I sat down than a figure slid into the seat beside me. Startled, I turned to find Thorne Blythwitch grinning at me.

“Hi,” he greeted with an infuriating smirk. Upon noticing my meager meal, his expression shifted to one of disapproval. “That’s not going to be enough.”

“It’s been enough,” I grumbled, taking a hefty bite of my sandwich. I gestured toward him with my chin. “Can I help you?”

“Just checking in,” Thorne replied nonchalantly before diving into his own meal. “I am your Knight, after all.”

“I’m well aware of that,” I replied flatly. “Maximus is doing a perfectly adequate job of training me, thank you very much.”

Thorne’s lip twitched, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Is he?”

“Yup,” I replied defiantly, popping the “p” as I took another bite of my food. Thorne set his fork down, turning his entire body to face me, his demeanor shifting to something more serious.

“People have seen you two on the field after hours,” he said, his tone measured. I raised an eyebrow, silently questioning if this was meant to concern me. Thorne cleared his throat and locked his gaze onto mine.

“They’ve also seen you leaving his room,” he whispered, and I felt my heart drop. I froze mid-chew, setting my sandwich down with dread. Thorne’s eyes bore into mine, unyielding.

“That’s not any of your business,” I spat, trying to regain my composure.

“It is,” Thorne insisted. “Because, as I’ve stated, I am your Knight. My duty is to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection,” I snapped back, my voice sharp. “Especially not from you.”

“You don’t get it,” Thorne shot back, the anger simmering just beneath the surface. “The Wolfhams are High Alphas. They wouldn’t bother with low Alphas unless they had something to gain.”

“Are you implying I’m being used?” I sneered, my defenses rising.

Thorne narrowed his eyes, frustration etched on his face. “I’m implying you should be careful. His intentions may not be what they seem.”

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