Their Hidden Princess Novel

---- Chapter 71 Victoria was silent for a moment before she released a gust of air. "Oh, darling," she chided. "Your happiness is far more important to me that." "But my vows to you are important than my happiness," Thorne shook his head. "You've done everything for me Victoria. The least | can do is allow your daughter to choose me as her mate." Victoria hummed. There was another stagnant silence. Then Victoria continued. "Are you feeling the effects of rejection?" she said softly. "Sometimes," Thorne swallowed. Most times, actually.

Whenever he was around Zora he felt this deep pang in his gut like he'd been stabbed. "But it's manageable for the most part." "I see," Victoria hummed. "Well, you know fated bonds are irreplicable but perhaps a chosen mate bond would be created between you two?" "If the princess-" Thorne started but Victoria cut him off. "Of course if the Princess chooses you it will be futile," she said. "But if not, could be a strong chosen bond. Who is this person? Do you like them? Tell me about them." ---- Thorne carded a hand through his still wet hair.

He hadn't bound it back yet and it hung around his face like a curtain. He thought about how to describe Zora to Victoria. "She's fiery," he started with, slowly. "And bold and brash and hotheaded, but it's all things that make her wonderful. She has the looks of an old Goddess. Fiery red hair and freckles all over her face. She was wolfless for a while but with the breaking of the fated mate bond-" Thome scratched his head, slightly upset with himself for being the cause of Zora's first transformation. "-She shifted for the first time," he continued.

"Her eyes are like nothing I've ever seen. Yellow and yet brown and blue and green. Some sort of magiks have to be within her. She's stunning but still learning how to be a wolf. | offered to help her, you know. Especially since you assigned me her knight." Victoria coughed on the other line. Thorne frowned. "Is something wrong?" "Zora," Victoria choked out. "Your fated mate is Zora?" "Apologies for not telling you sooner," Thorne said, sheepishly. "I thought you'd heard through the grapevine which is why you'd assigned me to her." "| had not," Victoria said sharply.

She dropped her voice as if she ---- was talking to herself. "Oh, Gods above, this is interesting." "What's wrong?" Thorne said, quickly. "I know you want my happiness but have | done something wrong? | promise | was acting on the good of the throne-" "No, no, nothing wrong," Victoria cleared her throat. "Just surprised is all. | was asked to keep Zora safe by someone. | assigned you to her because of that, not because | knew you were fated. But, now that I do know, | think my ruling still stands. You will be Zora's knight." Thorne frowned again, utterly confused.

"Aren't High Alphas the only one's who are to take knights?" "They... are," Victoria stuttered. "But Zora wishes me to keep her identity safe for a bit longer. You will learn in due time. Just know that she is as important to me as you are. You are to hold her life at the regard of your own." Thome couldn't find the words to say. He knew Zora was someone important. He couldn't quite pin his finger on who or what but he was going to find out. He hummed in response to Victoria's comment. "Alright darling, | must go," she sighed.

"The Southern North America pack is causing issues again and | must meet with their Alpha. Stay safe and keep Zora safe as well." ---- "Of course," Thorne replied, softly. "Goodbye, mother." "Goodbye, darling," Victoria said. Then the line went dead. Thorne was left with a hundred more questions. None with answers.