The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Royal Dinner

Serena’s POV~

By the time I finally looked up from my notebook, the sky outside had already turned dark. And my neck ached from sitting too long. I blinked a few times, realizing just how many hours had passed.

I hadn’t stepped out of my room the entire day. Not even once.

Even lunch had been brought in by Lira. She had knocked softly, her voice gentle as always, and placed the tray on my table without asking anything. I had just nodded, too lost in thought to speak.

I ate quietly, not because I was hungry, but because I knew the effort behind it wasn’t hers alone. It was Vaelen.

A small, faint smile touched my lips as I thought of him. He always noticed things others didn’t. Even without words, he somehow knew when to give space and when to reach out.

He really was a good person. Always had been. In the past and now.

I had always been right about him.

He had never disappointed me... not even once.

But that small warmth faded the moment another image flashed in my mind... his mother.

My expression hardened instantly. The memory of her voice, that sweet tone laced with poison, crawled back like a bad taste I couldn’t wash off.

She had met me only a day ago, smiling so perfectly, pretending to care, saying things that sounded kind but were meant to twist the knife deeper. Every word she spoke had been coated with honey, but all I could hear was venom underneath.

She wanted to turn me against my father. To make me hate him. To ruin whatever fragile peace still existed between us.

It was so clear now. She was doing it on purpose.

I could almost see her smug face again, those calm, proud eyes watching me like I was a child who didn’t know any better.

My hand clenched on my lap.

If I ever saw her again, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop myself from wiping that fake smile off her face.

"Never again," I muttered under my breath.

But life never goes the way you want, does it?

I was still fuming quietly when a soft knock came from the door.

"Come in," I said, trying to keep my voice even.

her expression polite but a little too bright for my liking. She held the edge of her skirt

I froze. "...Royal dinner?"

herself is organizing it. All the royal families will be attending... and you are requested to join

brows furrowed. "What is

the Alphas of the Silver Dawn pack. I’ve heard all four of them arrived at the

moment, I

with excitement, but mine... mine had

could happen tonight, it had to

as the weight of her words sank in. So do I

my eyes darkening. "I see," I said

"Shall I prepare your

nod, though my chest

slow breath and leaned back in my chair, staring at the

her arms full of dresses. I was still sitting by the window, lost in

them out on the bed. "The Queen said the dinner will be formal but not

that it made me blink.

Everyone’s talking about it. The Alphas of the

just turned my

didn’t stop her. Lira kept talking, her voice

presence that makes people stop and stare. The guards couldn’t stop whispering about how powerful they looked when they entered the hall. And their eyes...oh, Princess, everyone says their eyes

the

up a dark blue gown and looked at me hopefully. "You should wear this one. It’ll suit you perfectly tonight. Who knows...maybe one of them

raised a

how ridiculous that sounded. "Why not? You’re the most beautiful woman in the palace. And they’re the strongest Alphas after the Lycans themselves. If someone like

moment, not

"I’m

Princess. But still... just imagine! Four Alphas, all strong and proud, and one princess...if stories were

my hair, and placing a delicate silver clasp near my shoulder. Her hands

him just with a look. The third... well, some say he’s quiet but

as she spoke, like she was talking about heroes

anything. My face stayed still, my thoughts far

about one thing...each

were

way they looked at me the last time we met. My chest

the last strand of my hair. "If you ask me, Princess, they’re

the mirror and gave a small,

nodded eagerly.

away again, my

let’s hope," I said softly, "that none