Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Spring's POV~

Eryx hummed, stepping toward the cabinets. "Right. First, you need to eat."

I blinked. "I'm not hungry."

He shot me a look over his shoulder. "Knowing you, when you're worried, you do not eat. You haven't eaten anything since you came back, have you?"

I didn't answer.

"I'll take that silence as a yes. Go sit down."

He moved confidently, rummaging through the things he brought and then the fridge, like he'd done this a dozen times. I watched as he grabbed eggs, some vegetables, and a pack of leftover grilled chicken.

"You really don't need to—"

"I know," he interrupted, placing a pan on the stove. "But I want to. It's not every day my little sister gets moody over a guy."

"I'm not moody," I muttered.

"You're brooding."

"Says the guy who spent years in brooding as a lifestyle because of that same sister."

Eryx smirked but didn't deny it.

As he began chopping vegetables with ease, I sat at the island stool and rested my chin in my hand.

"Eryx?"

"Mm?"

"Do you think Storm's pulling away… because of me?"

He paused, knife hovering in midair. "You mean because there are other guys chasing you? Or something else?"

"I don't know." I sighed. "Just feels like something shifted. Like someone told him something that made him think twice."

He went quiet again, then resumed chopping. "Maybe he's just working through something. You know how guys are—we shut down before we talk it through."

"Yeah, but it still hurts."

Eryx nodded. "That part never gets easier."

He tossed the chopped onions into the pan, and the scent of sizzling butter filled the air, calming some of the unease sitting in my chest.

"Although, I am surprised at the fact that you are supporting Storm and not chewing his head off."

Eryx paused what he was doing first and smiled at me.

"I love you, Spring. With all my heart, and so, I would not love to see any guy treat you wrongly, but I am also rational. I am not a tech prodigy for nothing. I can think things through. He loves you. From all I have seen, he cares for you. If he is acting stupid, then perhaps he is ina tight spot."

I nodded, shocked he had that in him, but it was Eryx we were talking about here.

My involvement alone was one primary reason he was not getting angry.

"Thanks."

"No," he waved the knife in front of me, "don't, little sis. There's no need for that. Now, sit and admire me, do not overthink things."

"Yeah."

After a few minutes, he slid a plate in front of me—an omelette filled with cheese, chicken, and veggies, cut into neat squares and garnished with herbs.

"You didn't have to go all out," I said, already picking up my fork.

"Shut up and eat," he said with a grin.

"What of yours?"

"I'll eat after you," Eryx said cooly. "Now, be a dear."

I smiled back, picked up my fork and started eating.

**************

~Storm's POV~

I sat on the edge of my bed, my elbows resting on my knees as I stared at my phone, screen still lit.

Spring's name was there. Her last message was unread.

I hadn't replied. I hadn't even opened it.

I didn't deserve to.

I know I said I'd chase after her but staring at my phone now, I didn't know if I should deal with Serissa first before chasing Spring.

My thumb hovered over the screen, her contact photo glowing softly in the low light of my room.

I missed her. I wanted her near me.

I wanted to hear her voice, tease her, kiss her, hold her.

But right now… I didn't know what the hell I was allowed to want anymore.

I turned the screen off the second I heard heels click on the tiles outside my door and a voice—soft, feminine, and full of reluctant apology.

"Storm?"

"Mum." She smiled softly as she entered my room and walked over to where I sat on my bed.

"Son, I know you aren't happy."

"Mum. I do not want to marry her."

"I know. I will do my best, but your father is thrilled with this arrangement."

I turned my head toward her slowly, swallowing the rising frustration in my throat. "Mum, how can the Alpha King want to break me from my mate?"

My mother sighed and walked farther into my room, her expression soft but wary. "I doubt he knows."

"Then I ought to tell him," I snapped. "He needs to know I am in love with my mate. I want no one other than her. He shouldn't make decisions on someone's life."

"And who told you that matters in this context?" a deeper voice cut through the room like a blade.

I stiffened.

My head whipped toward the door just as my father stepped inside, tall, unflinching, his presence cold as iron.

"Dad…"

He raised a brow. "He is the Alpha King, Storm. He has given his command and you will obey."

"I won't," I replied firmly. "I do not love Serissa. I don't even like her."

"This isn't about liking her. It's about what is best for our region. Our family. You are the heir—your position demands strategic alliances."

"And if you're so desperate to form that alliance," I growled, standing to face him properly, "why don't you marry her yourself?"

"Storm!" My mother's gasp cracked across the room.

I didn't mean to sound so vicious, but my heart had had enough. I couldn't pretend to smile while someone else carved my path for me.

"No offence, Mum," I added, turning to her. "But that's the truth. I don't want this. I don't want her. I love my mate."

My father's jaw flexed. "And who is this mate of yours, Storm? What good is she to the throne? What value does she bring?"

I froze.

His eyes bored into me like he already knew I wouldn't have the answer he wanted. My silence only confirmed it.

"She's not a political tool," I said quietly. "She's mine."

"That's not an answer," he barked.

At that moment, my phone lit up again.

Incoming Call: Spring

I didn't move. I let it ring.

Let it go straight to voicemail.

My father's eyes followed the screen, narrowing. "Is she the one calling?"

I didn't answer.

"Do I need to teach her a lesson?" he said coldly, taking a step toward me. "Remind her she is not good enough for my son? Make her life miserable until she forgets you even exist?"

A low growl built in my chest before I could stop it. "If you touch her…"

My mother raised a hand quickly, stepping between us. "Enough, both of you."

My father's lip curled, but he paused.

My mother turned to me, gentler now. "Is she human?"

I shook my head instantly. "No."

"Then what is she?" my father demanded.

I hesitated, because that was the problem. I knew but I couldn't tell them she was of human origin and her werewolf parents are dead.

Her scent was fully wolf, and there was something beneath it—something old, powerful, hidden.

But whatever it was, it didn't matter. It didn't make me love her less. If anything, it made her more mine.

"She is a werewolf," I said truthfully.

"And her family?" he pressed. "Are they royal? Political? Allies of our pack?"

I clenched my jaw. Again, silence. I couldn't tell him they were humans. Dad hated humans.

My father laughed—bitter and sharp. "So she's no one. Just a pretty face who bewitched my heir."

"She didn't bewitch me," I snapped. "She healed me. She made me feel whole again. She sees me."

"She weakens you," he corrected. "And if you can't even speak her family's name, you know exactly how unfit she is for your title."

Anger flared behind my ribs.

"I'm not marrying Serissa," I said. "Find someone else."

"Like who?" he challenged. "Your half-brother?"

I smirked. "Yes. He's older. He can do it. Let him build your empire of fake affection and arranged happiness."

"Do not bring him into this," my father growled. "You are the heir. The firstborn of my true Luna. You will not abdicate this responsibility to a half-blood."

I stared at him. "So that's what this is really about? Bloodlines. Politics. Power. What about love? Choice? Does that mean nothing?"

He didn't answer. He didn't need to.

"Then you've already lost," I whispered.

My mother placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to ground me. "Storm, please. Don't make this harder. We will try to delay the betrothal. But you need to be careful. The King already made his declaration public. Rejecting it could be seen as rebellion."

"Then let them rebel," I muttered under my breath. "Because I'll never betray her. Not for Serissa. Not for you. Not even for the damn throne."

Neither of them spoke.

My father turned and left without another word, his footsteps echoing down the hall like distant thunder.

My mother lingered for a moment longer, her fingers brushing my arm. "Be wise, Storm. I know what she means to you. But this game is bigger than either of you."

I didn't answer. I just couldn't.

After she left, I sat back down and finally unlocked my phone.

Spring's message glowed softly on my screen.

Spring: Are you okay? I'm worried about you.

I stared at her words for a long moment, and for the first time in hours, the pressure behind my ribs eased slightly.

I didn't deserve her, but I wouldn't lose her either.