Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Serissa's POV~

I nodded slowly, letting her words settle. This wasn't about affection. This was about power. Bloodlines. And survival.

And one word… Politics.

Mum stepped closer and cupped my cheek, then bent to kiss my forehead. Her lips were cold.

"I expect results," she said softly, then turned without another word, her train sweeping behind her like violet smoke as she left.

As soon as the doors shut, Stella finally moved, rising from her bowed position.

"It is time, my lady," she said gently.

I nodded and turned, my heels clicking confidently now. As we stepped out of my chamber and descended the wide staircase, servants bowed on instinct, and the guards pushed open the doors to the courtyard.

The car was waiting. Stella opened the door and I slid in smoothly before she went to the other door in front to sit.

But I didn't tell the driver to leave immediately. Instead, I lifted my gaze and gestured.

"Driver," I said calmly, "we'll be making a stop first before heading back to school."

Stella blinked in front and turned her head to look at me, confused. "Where, Princess?"

I smiled, the corners of my mouth curving up as I watched the horizon. "Drive straight to Alpha Astor's Villa."

"The Astor residence?" she echoed, clearly rattled. "Why? Shouldn't we—"

"I have a deal to make," I cut her off, "with a certain Lilith Astor."

Stella hesitated, but I didn't look at her. I leaned back against the cool leather seat and watched the gates of the palace vanish behind us in the side mirror.

Lilith may have fallen from grace, but snakes always knew how to slither back to the surface if you offered them the right bait.

And I knew just what kind of hunger lived in her now. The hunger to ruin Spring Kaine. Making her the perfect tool to control.

Perfect.

Let the games begin.

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~Spring's POV~

Even after everything, all I wanted to do was see Storm. I just wanted to talk to him—really talk—and find out what was going on with him.

He had replied to my chat yesterday, and I had responded too, but after that, he went offline. Just like that.

I had clutched my phone in my hand until sleep finally dragged me under, my fingers numb and heart heavy, waiting for him to speak to me. Waiting for some sort of explanation that never came.

Now, my eyes felt swollen and puffy, with dark shadows underneath them that foundation could only half-cover. I'd tried blending it in three times, but the bags still peeked through. Stupid emotional exhaustion.

"Umm…" I murmured aloud, pressing my index finger against my chin as I thought of locating Eva to check up on her before heading to class.

Then—something. A flicker of movement.

My eyes caught sight of a girl in a hoodie taking a turn toward one of the restricted classroom areas.

At first, I ignored it. This school was full of kids in oversized hoodies pretending to be mysterious.

But the moment I glanced back down at my phone, realization struck me hard and fast. My head snapped back up.

That hoodie…

I knew that design.

The memory from my challenge with Lilth came flashing back when I saw the girl in a hoodie… that same hoodie… I recognised the design.

She was taking a turn towards the electrical control area when the lights went out and came on during the swimming challenge.

She was definitely Lilith's pawn.

Without hesitation, I turned and hurried after her, heart thudding against my ribcage as adrenaline kicked in.

I didn't know why it mattered, but something primal within me screamed that I needed to know who she was. To see who it was that had wanted to ruin me.

Although it made no difference whether I knew or not but something within told me to chase.

As soon as I turned, I came face to face with some classrooms down the hall and a few rowdy students.

My gaze turned sharp as I glanced through every class. I even tried sniffing the air to pick up her scent, but even that proved futile.

"Jade?" I called softly, hoping my wolf would pick up something I missed.

"I'm not getting anything, Spring."

I clenched my jaw, exhaled, and tried again. No hoodie. No girl. No scent.

It was like she vanished into thin air.

I exhaled and tried again. I couldn't spot her. "She probably ducked into one of the classrooms," I murmured, barely able to hide the frustration in my voice.

"Don't worry. You already took care of Lilith. You have nothing to worry about," Jade assured me.

I nodded, trying to convince myself she was right. But deep down, I didn't believe it. Not entirely.

Still, I turned back and made my way to class. I hadn't even fully settled in my seat when my eyes locked onto him.

Storm.

He was by the window, arms crossed, staring at something in the distance.

Our eyes met. His entire posture shifted.

And then he moved.

Abruptly.

He was leaving.

I sprang to my feet, my heart surging with a wild mix of panic and hope. I didn't even think. I just ran.

But the Physics teacher entered at the exact same moment.

"Sorry, sir," I said, nearly bumping into him.

"Spring, where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked with a raised brow.

"I need to use the ladies," I lied, grabbing my stomach like I had a cramp.

He studied me for a second before stepping aside.

"Make it quick."

"Thank you, sir," I mumbled and bolted, only to find Storm gone, and the corridor was empty.

I walked quickly past the windows, around corners, pretending to head to the restroom in case anyone was watching—still, nothing.

Just as I was about to give up, I spotted Jace. He was exiting an office, looking relaxed and unsuspecting.

"Jace!" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He froze mid-step like someone had yanked a chain around his ankle.

Gotcha.

I jogged toward him.

"Jace."

Jace turned to look at me with the most genuine smile ever and at once, I knew something was wrong.

He wasn't speaking naughty or giving me that naughty smirk. He looked at me like he was hiding something.

That wasn't like him.

"Hey, how are you? Good morning."

"Morning… why do you look so innocent?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

He laughed. "Why are you out of breath?"

"I, uh… I was chasing Storm."

Jace arched a brow and then chuckled lightly. "Oh, so you've chosen Storm over us now?"

"Hey! It's not like that!"

"But you were chasing him," he teased, a glint of something indistinct in his eyes.

"I meant it literally," I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. "I saw him—or thought I did—and I just wanted to talk to him."

"Well…?" he drawled. Jace folded his arms. "So talk to him."

"I can't if he keeps vanishing into thin air!" I snapped, before exhaling. "Please. Is something going on with Storm?"

"Why?" His voice had changed. Guarded. "Did he say anything was wrong?"

I knew when someone was deflecting answers, and Jace, even with his body language, the way he stood, his eyes, his gaze not meeting mine, he was doing exactly just that.

So, I put on my investigative armour, took a step closer to him and let my wolf's seductive charms take over.

I softened my gaze—time to turn the tables.

"Well," I purred, trailing my finger up his chest until I hooked it under his chin, "you're going to tell me anyway."

Jace blinked, visibly flustered. "You're using your wolf charm on me?"

"Guilty. And it's working." I smirked, leaning in slightly. "Come on, Jace. You know something."

His brows creased innocently. "Me?"

"Definitely you."

"I do…"

"Yes, you do, and thanks for volunteering to tell me," I said, cutting in as my fingers hooked underneath his chin.

His eyes darted away. "It's not my place."

"I'm your mate," I said, my voice low, teasing and firm. "You want to tell me. And I really don't want to have to start licking answers out of you."

"Okay, whoa, now I'm sweating," he laughed nervously. "Spring…"

"Jace," I said sweetly. "I'm going to count to three."

"You're threatening me now?"

"One…"

He raised his hands in surrender when I hit two. "Alright, alright! I don't think I want to know what an angry Spring looks like. But, you owe me."

I folded my arms, changing my tone quickly before he got greedy. "What do you want?"

"I won't be greedy," he quickly informed. "But allow me to take you out on a date."

"Fair enough. Sure. So… what is going on?"

"Something is wrong."

I froze.

"But it's not my place to tell you," he added quickly. "He's going through something—deep, personal stuff. And I think... I think he needs to be the one to tell you."

My heart thudded.

So I wasn't imagining it. Storm was acting weird for a reason.

I nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll confront him myself."

Jace looked relieved and a little wary.

"You're not going to… I don't know, tackle him or something, right?"

"No promises." I winked and turned to leave, my heart already planning my next move.