The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Meeting Them

Serena’s POV

The moment I saw them, my whole body went still.

Four pairs of eyes. Four different kinds of intensity.

I didn’t need to look up to know they were staring at me. I could feel it. Like heat against my skin. Like something heavy pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I tried to act calm, tried to walk toward my seat as if nothing was wrong, but my hands were cold and my steps felt slow, too careful. Every sound around me...the music, the laughter, the soft chatter seemed to fade until all I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat.

I didn’t dare meet their eyes. I didn’t have to.

I could already picture each one of them. Aeron’s sharp, unreadable stare. Luca’s smirk always carried a hint of danger. Lucian’s dark, steady gaze made it impossible to look away once you did. And Kael’s wild, restless eyes, like he could tear the whole room apart if he wanted to.

Just the memory of them was enough to make my throat tighten.

I stopped near the table, pretending to look at the decorations, pretending not to notice the way the room had gone quieter.

Slowly, I reached for the chair, but my hand trembled slightly. I hid it quickly, placing it on my lap once I sat down.

Lira leaned closer and whispered, "Princess, are you alright?"

I nodded, though my voice didn’t come out. I didn’t trust it either.

I could feel their eyes still on me. All four of them. My pulse quickened. My cheeks felt warm, even though the room wasn’t hot. I lowered my gaze, focusing on the edge of my plate. The silver reflected the light from the chandelier above, bright enough to sting my eyes.

I told myself to breathe. To focus. To not look up.

But curiosity was a cruel thing.

Against my better judgment, I lifted my eyes...just a little. Just enough to see them.

The eldest, Aeron, sat straight and calm, his face unreadable. But his eyes... they were fixed on me, deep and steady.

The second, Luca, leaned back slightly, one corner of his mouth curved into that half-smile that made my stomach twist.

Lucian’s gaze was quiet but piercing, like he was trying to read every thought inside my head.

And Kael... Kael’s eyes were wild, untamed, and burning with something I couldn’t name.

I looked away quickly, heart pounding.

My fingers curled around the fabric of my dress. I could feel their stares following me, and no matter how much I told myself to ignore it, my chest refused to calm down.

Lira whispered something again, but I barely heard her.

I could think of was how close they were now. After

swallowed hard, forcing my face to stay neutral, pretending their presence didn’t shake me to

down, I

could still

my lap, my posture straight, my face calm. On the outside,

I was still

eyes were still on me. Every time I tried to look around the room, I somehow ended up catching a glimpse of one of them. And every time I did, my heart

even taste the drink in front of me.

the king and queen finally entered, everyone stood up. I followed quietly, bowing slightly. The noise and movement helped me calm

Then I saw him.

Vaelen.

king and queen... tall, calm, and graceful as always. His expression was polite but soft, and when his eyes found me, a faint smile appeared on his

in my

that evening, I felt

after greeting the others, his steps sure and

me, he stopped and smiled warmly. "Serena," he said, his voice low and calm,

tone made my heart steady. I smiled back, a small, genuine one this time. "I’m fine," I said softly. "Just...

gaze gentle. "You

I said, trying not to sound

second ... calm, comfortable. Like we could actually

could say another word, a loud, cheerful voice

Vaelen!

to look to

Arlena.

almost groaned

a group of maids, smiling like she owned the room. Her gown sparkled in the candlelight, her every step full of exaggerated grace. And the moment

of lovers. "I was looking for you everywhere.

rolled my eyes before I could

not stay away for even one

smile faded almost instantly. His expression turned stiff. I could see the slight twitch in his jaw that always showed

flatly, "I was only greeting

of course!" she said quickly, pretending to be all cheerful again. "I just thought you might be lonely

almost laughed. Lonely? The man barely

looked like he was silently begging the heavens for patience. Poor

be tired, Prince Vaelen.

Calm, even,

split second before she forced it back.

sweetly. "Not at all. You

to sound jealous. But my tone was

didn’t even move. "I prefer to stay here," he said

shut her up for a

adjust a strand of his hair, but Vaelen

smile started to strain. She looked like she was