Their Hidden Princess (Zora) novel Chapter 78

**Valentin**

Without a moment’s hesitation, Valentin released Bella from his grasp, the sound of her heeled shoes echoing sharply against the tiled floor confirming her safety. He didn’t need to look; his attention was firmly locked onto Zora, who stood before him, a whirlwind of emotions playing across her features.

He could see the storm brewing within her—rage flickered like a flame, jealousy simmered beneath the surface, and hurt etched itself into her expression. Each emotion hit him like a physical blow, tightening his chest painfully. He watched helplessly as she shook her head, her denial palpable, before she turned and fled the locker room. Valentin couldn’t help but feel a wave of shame wash over him, his head hanging low in defeat.

“What a little creep,” Bella scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. Valentin’s eyes snapped up to glare at her, fury igniting within him.

“Get out,” he commanded, his voice low and threatening, like a growl barely restrained.

“What?” Bella retorted sharply, leaning closer, her hand trailing dangerously low on his abdomen. “But we haven’t finished.”

In a flash, Valentin seized her wrist, halting her advance before she could reach her goal. He narrowed his eyes, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Did she really not grasp that he was in no mood for her antics?

“Get. Out.” The words came out like a warning, a finality that left no room for argument.

Bella yanked her wrist free from his grip, her irritation palpable as she turned and strode out of the shower area, her heels clicking defiantly against the tiles. Once outside, she flicked her wrist, using her magiks to dry off her drenched clothes, her long black hair curling at the ends as she glanced back at him.

“This obsession you have with her,” Bella snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut. “It ends here. I refuse to be humiliated by a weak, whore of an Alpha.”

Valentin felt his jaw tighten, the muscles clenching as he fought to contain his anger. He bit down on his tongue, resisting the urge to reveal Zora’s truth—that she was neither weak nor promiscuous, but rather the Highest Alpha in their school, a force to be reckoned with, and Bella was nothing by comparison.

“Noted,” he bit out through gritted teeth, his voice a low growl. “Now get out before someone else sees you.”

Bella huffed indignantly before turning on her heel and storming out of the bathroom, her dark hair swaying behind her like a banner of defiance. The door slammed shut with a resounding thud that echoed in the silence left in her wake. In that moment, rage boiled over within Valentin, and he unleashed his frustration, his fist crashing into the tiled wall of the shower.

The sound of shattering tiles filled the air, fragments raining down at his feet as the water continued to cascade over him. He cranked up the heat, letting the scalding water bite at his skin as he pressed his forehead against the remaining intact tiles, seeking solace in the coolness of the wall.

He hadn’t intended to let things escalate with Bella like that. He had promised himself to abstain from any physical entanglements until they were married. Yet, the moment she had approached him, he had been teetering on the edge of control. His earlier training session with Zora had left him feeling hot and restless, a fire igniting deep within him that he had struggled to suppress around Blythwitch.

But the moment Zora had left, memories of her flooded his mind, igniting a stirring in his pants as he recalled the way her hands felt against him, the intoxicating scent of her hair, and the way her braid danced around her, leaving traces of her fragrance in the air.

It was maddening, driving him to the brink of insanity. He couldn’t even make it across campus to his house without feeling the weight of his desires pressing down on him. Instead, he found himself trapped in the locker room, a prisoner to his own lustful thoughts, replaying memories of his late mate’s niece.

So when Bella had entered, he was already on edge, barely holding onto his restraint. The moment she had stepped behind him and placed her hand over his, all sense of control had slipped away. He had lifted her effortlessly, pressing her against the wall, consumed by a reckless desire. He had been mere seconds away from tearing away her panties and claiming her when Zora’s presence shattered the moment.

The image of disappointment etched on Zora’s face haunted him, and he slammed his fist into the wall again, more tiles crumbling to the ground amidst the spray of the shower.

How could he have been so foolish?

Zora’s expression mirrored the one Zahara had worn the last time he had seen her, the day he had left for battle. She had begged him not to go, and that had been the last time he had ever laid eyes on his fated mate.

Now, he had been granted a second chance at a fated mate, and here he was, pushing her away. For what reason? His own pride?

Her safety, he rationalized, convincing himself that he couldn’t hurt her if he stayed away.

Yet, the memory of her face, twisted in disgust upon realizing he had been with Bella, replayed in his mind, making his heart ache.

With a heavy sigh, he finally turned off the water, the silence of the room settling around him like a shroud. He pressed his palm against the spot where he had shattered the tiles, and one by one, they began to lift from the floor, returning to their rightful place as he felt the magiks surge through him. When he withdrew his hand, there was no trace of the damage left behind.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, he made his way to the bench in the dimly lit locker room, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. He rummaged through his trousers until he found his phone, the background a reminder of happier days—him and Victoria, their faces bright with smiles, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling within him.

He opened the phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found Victoria’s number. She answered on the first ring.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.

“Nothing,” Valentin replied with a deep sigh. “Just checking in for updates.”

“Oh,” Victoria responded, her tone reminiscent of Zora’s. “No, there’s nothing new.”

“Okay,” he said, running a hand through his damp hair. “Amara arrived last week.”

“Right,” she replied, sounding weary. “How was the training with her and Zora?”

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