The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Royal Dinner

Serena’s POV~

By the tI 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.

| 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. | had just nodded, too lost in thought to speak.

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

A small, faint smile touched my lips as | 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.

| 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 metonly 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 | could hear was

venom underneath.

She wanted to turnagainst my father. To makehate him. To ruin whatever fragile peace still existed

between us.

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

| could almost see her smug face again, those calm, proud eyes watchinglike | was a child who didn’t know

any better.

My hand clenched on my lap.

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

"Never again," | muttered under my breath.

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

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

"Cin," | said, trying to keep my voice even.

Lira stepped inside, her expression polite but a little too bright for my liking. She held the edge of her skirt and

bowed slightly. "Princess... you are invited for the royal dinner tonight."

| froze. "...Royal dinner?"

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

attending... and you are requested to join as well."

My brows furrowed. "What is it about?"

Her smile widened, clearly excited. "It's to welcthe Alphas of the Silver Dawn pack. I've heard all four of

them arrived at the palace yesterday."

For a moment, | didn’t say anything.

Lira’s face was glowing with excitement, but mine... mine had turned cold. Completely blank.

Of course. Of all the things that could happen tonight, it had to be this.

My stomach twisted as the weight of her words sank in. So do | have to meet them so soon?

| looked away, my eyes darkening. "I see," | said quietly.

Lira hesitated for a moment. "Shall | prepare your dress, Princess?"

| forced a small nod, though my chest felt tight again. "Yes... go ahead."

As soon as she left, | let out a slow breath and leaned back in my chair, staring at the wall in silence.

Lira cback not long after, her arms full of dresses. | was still sitting by the window, lost in thought, when she

entered the room with that sbright smile.

"Princess, | brought a few options," she said quickly, laying them out on the bed. "The Queen said the dinner will

be formal but not too grand. Still, you have to look perfect. Everyone will be there tonight."

Her tone was so full of excitement that it madeblink. "You seem... happy," | said slowly.

She looked up, eyes shining. "Of course, Princess! Everyone's talking about it. The Alphas of the Silver Dawn

pack are here! The whole palace is buzzing."

| didn’t answer. | just turned my gaze back to the window.

But that didn’t stop her. Lira kept talking, her voice light and fast.

"They say they're even more handsthan the 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 like fire itself."

| could almost hear the dreamy sigh in her voice.

She held up a dark blue gown and looked athopefully. "You should wear this one. It'll suit you perfectly

tonight. Who knows...maybe one of them will even notice you."

I raised a brow. "Notice me?"

Lira grinned, clearly not realizing 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 you were to wed one of

them, it would be the perfect match."

| stared at her for a moment, not sure whether to laugh or sigh.

"Lira," | said quietly, "I'm not looking for a husband."

She giggled softly. "I 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 of a legend."

She went on talking as she helpeddress, adjusting the gown’s straps, brushing my hair, and placing a

delicate silver clasp near my shoulder. Her hands were gentle, but her words were full of excitement.

"They say the eldest is calm 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, ssay he’s quiet but dangerous. And the

youngest... oh, the youngest is said to be wild, untamed."

Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, like she was talking about heroes from an old tale.

| didn’t say anything. My face stayed still, my thoughts far away.

She was right about one thing...each of them was powerful.

But to me, they weren't legends. They were real and a part of my life.

| remembered their voices, their eyes, and the way they looked atthe last twe met. My chest tightened

slightly, but I hid it.

Lira was still talking as she pinned the last strand of my hair. "If you ask me, Princess, they're the best men in

the kingdom after the Lycans. Anyone would be lucky to be noticed by them."

| met her eyes through the mirror and gave a small, calm smile. "Is that so?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes, Princess."

| looked away again, my expression unreadable.

"Then let's hope," | said softly, "that none of them noticetonight."

Lira paused, confused for a moment, but I didn’t explain. | just stood up quietly, smoothing the folds of my gown.

By the tLira finished, the thad

already come. | took one last lookin

the mirror. calrp.favk Soft hat, gown

oBLfRCtR place. No one would

guess how much | wanted to stay in

my room and lock the door instead.

The hallway outside was bright, filled

with the faint sound of laughter and

music drifting fro thé rear a I. My

steps N&R softly as | walked, Lira

following a few steps behind. My

heart beat faster the closer we got.

The doors to the royal dining hall

were already open when | arrived.

From the outside, | gogly sGehht!

afmost bléryone was already there,

the guards standing tall near the

walls. The only ones missing were

the king, the queen, and my father...

| took a slow breath and stepped inside.

And then my eyes landed on her.

Arlena.

Standing near the center, wearing that sfalse smile. Even from across the room, she managed to look like

she owned the place. Her gown shimmered with pale silver, her chin lifted slightly higher than needed.

Our eyes met for half a second, and the air in my lungs froze.

Her lips curved, slow and mocking. "Oh... the Princess finally decided to join us," she said loudly enough for a few

nearby to hear. She must already know my identity now.

The tone was light, but her eyes were sharp. | felt Lira tense beside me.

| could feel her gaze on me, maybe hoping for a reaction.

But | gave her none.

I only smiled faintly, the kind that didn’t reach my eyes, and said quietly, "Don’t worry, I'm here now." Then |

walked right past her, not slowing, not stopping.

Her perfume... that sickly sweet scent followedfor a moment before fading. My jaw tightened, but | kept

moving.

| told myself not to care. Not tonight.

But then | looked ahead... and froze.

At the far end of the table, where the guests of honor sat, were them.

The Alphas of Silver Dawn.

All four.

Their presence filled the room like a storm waiting to break... calm, heavy, and commanding. Even seated, they

drew every gaze.

My breath caught before I could stop it.

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