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?"

nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness. The queen herself is organizing it. All the royal

"What

clearly excited. "It’s to welcome the Alphas of the Silver Dawn pack. I’ve heard all four of

moment, I didn’t say

glowing with excitement, but mine... mine had turned

the things that could happen tonight, it had

stomach twisted as the weight of her words sank

looked away, my eyes darkening. "I see," I

for a moment. "Shall I prepare

though my chest felt tight

I let out a slow breath and leaned back in my

not long after, her arms full of dresses. I was still sitting by the window, lost in thought, when she entered the room with

out on the bed. "The Queen said the dinner will be formal but

so full of excitement that it

"Of course, Princess! Everyone’s talking about it. The Alphas of the Silver Dawn pack are here! The whole palace

I just turned

kept talking, her voice light

rumors. Strong, tall, the kind of 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 look

the dreamy sigh in her

up a dark blue gown and looked at me hopefully. "You should wear this

raised a brow. "Notice

the strongest Alphas after the Lycans themselves. If someone like you were to wed one of them, it would be the perfect

at her for a moment, not sure whether to

I said quietly, "I’m not looking for a

know, Princess. But still... just imagine! Four Alphas, all strong and proud, and one princess...if stories were real, it would sound like something straight out

me dress, adjusting the gown’s straps, brushing my hair, and placing

but terrifying when angry. The second one—he’s supposed to be charming, the kind that can make anyone fall for him just with a look. The third... well,

spoke, like she was talking about

anything. My face stayed still, my

one

to me, they weren’t legends. They were

their eyes, and the way they looked at me

last strand of my hair. "If you ask me, Princess, they’re the best men in the kingdom after the Lycans. Anyone would be

the mirror and gave a

nodded eagerly. "Yes,

again, my expression

said softly, "that none of