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.

of was how close they were now.

to stay neutral, pretending their presence didn’t shake me

I knew

I could still feel

hands stayed folded on my lap, my posture straight,

was still a

around the room, I somehow ended up catching a glimpse

taste the drink in front of me. I was

entered, everyone stood up. I followed quietly, bowing slightly. The noise

Then I saw him.

Vaelen.

expression was polite

my chest

evening, I felt like I could breathe

and easy. A few eyes followed him, but he

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

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

his gaze gentle. "You look

slightly. "Thank you," I said, trying not

was quiet for a second ... calm, comfortable. Like we could actually talk. But, of course, peace never lasted

say another word, a loud, cheerful voice

Prince Vaelen! There you

look to know who

Arlena.

groaned

sparkled in the candlelight, her every step full of exaggerated grace. And the moment she reached us, she practically plastered herself to Vaelen’s

were the closest of lovers. "I was looking for you everywhere. Why didn’t you come sit

my eyes before

she not stay away for even

instantly. His expression turned stiff. I could see the slight

he said flatly, "I was only greeting Princess

quickly, pretending to be all cheerful again. "I just thought

laughed. Lonely? The man barely tolerated

he was silently begging the heavens for

twirling a lock of her hair as she leaned closer to him. "You must be tired, Prince Vaelen. You’ve been so busy lately. Why don’t you come sit with

didn’t change. Calm, even, cold. "That won’t be

faltered for a split second before she forced it back. "Oh, don’t be

"Not at all. You can go wherever you

jealous. But my tone was so casual, it only made her frown

move. "I prefer to stay here," he

shut her up

tried again, asking a few meaningless questions, giggling over nothing, and even trying to adjust a strand of his hair, but Vaelen didn’t respond.

few minutes of awkward one-sided conversation, Arlena’s smile started to strain. She looked like she was running out