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.

think of was how close they were now. After all this

my face to stay neutral, pretending

down, I

even without looking at them, I could still feel it...four

act normal. My hands stayed folded on my lap, my posture straight, my face

inside... I was

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 skipped a beat, and I had to quickly look

me. I was too focused on pretending I didn’t notice

stood up. I followed quietly, bowing slightly. The noise and movement helped me calm down a little.

Then I saw him.

Vaelen.

the king and queen... tall, calm, and graceful as always. His expression was polite but soft, and when his

in my chest

the first time that evening, I felt like I could breathe

greeting the others, his steps sure and easy. A few eyes followed him, but he

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

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

his gaze gentle.

warmed slightly. "Thank you," I said,

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

could say another word, a loud,

Vaelen! There you

even have to look to

Arlena.

groaned out

behind 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 she reached us, she practically plastered herself

arm like they were the closest of lovers. "I was looking

eyes before

not stay away for

expression turned stiff. I could see the slight

he said flatly, "I was

to be all cheerful again. "I just thought you might be lonely

almost laughed. Lonely? The man

he was

completely oblivious, kept talking, 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

tone didn’t change. Calm, even,

faltered for a split second before she forced it back. "Oh, don’t be shy. I’m sure Princess Serena won’t mind,

"Not at all. You can go wherever

But my tone

the other hand, didn’t even move. "I

shut her up for a

a few meaningless questions, giggling over nothing, and even trying to adjust a strand of his

one-sided conversation, Arlena’s smile started to strain. She looked like