Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Spring's POV~

Something still didn't sit right with me.

Storm had kissed me like I was the only thing he wanted, held me like he was afraid I'd vanish. Yet, deep inside, I felt it—there was something more. Something he wasn't saying.

I could've pushed, but I remembered what Jace told me. "Don't force it out of him. If he wants to tell you, he will. Just give him the space."

So, I let it slide for now.

I smiled and kissed him back, letting us enjoy the moment. Whatever it was, I believed he'd come clean when he was ready.

After that, we walked down from the rooftop together, I got food from the cafeteria and somehow avoided all my friends till it was time for class.

Jade and I had to discuss what happened, and she was fully supportive of the fact that Storm was shifting away from us, but we ought to give him time.

I don't know how to explain it, but sensing him do this brought back my past fear of Rael.

This was why I never wanted to trust and commit again but against my better judgement, I let my mates in.

"The moon goddess has a reason for everything," Jade assured me and I stuck with that.

The day passed in a bit of a blur. I barely saw my friends until the close of school, when Eva caught up with me near my locker.

"Spring!" she called, practically skipping to my side. Her cheeks were flushed pink, a wide grin on her face. "I—I didn't see you all day."

"Same," I said, narrowing my eyes a little. "Where were you?"

Eva smiled coyly. "Madelyn's been… teaching me a few things."

I froze mid-step. "Teaching you?"

Eva suddenly looked sheepish, her eyes darting to the ground. "Uh… yeah, it's nothing really…"

"Oh, it's something, alright," a voice chimed in from behind.

I turned just as Madelyn strolled up, cocky as ever, and wearing—wait.

A collar?

There was a slim black leather collar around her neck. Delicate, yet unmistakably suggestive.

My brows rose. "What… is that?"

Madelyn smirked, her hand brushing the collar like it was some designer necklace or something.

"Oh this? Just a little fun deal between us. I told her I'd wear this and be a very well-behaved servant if she did what I taught her."

My eyes narrowed. "What exactly are you teaching her, Madelyn?"

She batted her lashes innocently. "How to flirt."

"Excuse me?"

"She's got a crush," Madelyn added with a wicked gleam in her eyes as she flicked her hair. "So I'm showing her how to test the waters. See if the guy likes her back."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Seriously?"

Madelyn gave an unapologetic shrug. "Hey, I think it's working. He is into her."

I groaned. Then turned to Eva. "You could have just come to me, you know. I'd have helped you."

Madelyn snorted. "Yeah, like you could get a guy without the mate bond."

Anger instantly flared in my chest. I turned to her, my aura crackling to life…

"Spring, don't," Eva whispered quickly, grabbing my arm. "Ignore her. She's jealous that we're close, that's all."

Eva sighed. "And I didn't tell her. She sort of… dragged it out of me. She caught me staring at him and wouldn't let it go."

"Wait." Chloe had just walked up, raising a brow as she joined us. "Who's this mystery crush?"

Eva's entire face turned crimson.

"It's nothing," I said quickly, shielding her before she could panic.

But right then, I felt it. There was a shift in the atmosphere. And an unmistakable stench of royal madness.

Unwelcome.

Jade's voice rang instantly in my head. "The princess bitch is here."

I turned my head slowly, and sure enough, there Serissa was.

Marching down the hallway like she owned the entire building. Her golden-blonde hair was styled to perfection, her manicured fingers clutching her phone like it was a weapon.

Several students turned to stare, parting instinctively as she walked by like some cursed queen.

And then she stopped, right in front of me.

"Spring Kaine," she said in that cold, sharp tone of hers. "The school's supposed hot cake." Her lips curled into a smug sneer. "Guess you aren't anymore."

I arched a brow but said nothing. Serissa wasn't worth the energy. Who knows what devious dark voodoo she was cooking up this time?

Without a word, I turned to walk away. But she raised her voice.

"Oh? You think you still have that crown? Still the Queen Bee?" She scoffed. "I guess he hasn't told you yet."

"Told her what?" Chloe asked.

"Who?" Madelyn questioned. "This seems juicy, please do tell."

I halted, exhaled deeply, and turned around with a small smile. "I don't know what you're talking about. But go find someone else to play fetch with, Princess."

"You don't know?" she said mockingly. "Are you lying, or are you just that dense? Or is a kiss all it takes to deceive naïve little girls like you?"

Then she held up her phone and the screen lit up to show a photo of me and Storm kissing.

A few gasps echoed around us. A wave of murmurs followed.

I crossed my arms. "Why? Are you jealous?"

"Why would I be?" she said, her lips curling. "I just came here to expose a whore for her sins."

I blinked, completely incredulous. "My sins?"

"Yes. Since you're acting so innocent, let me make it clear for everyone." She smirked, stepping closer. "Storm Draven is mine."

I tried to hold in my laugh, not to sound hysterical but then, I shook my head. "He's my mate. There's nothing wrong with us kissing. And last I checked, Storm is mated to me."

"Yet you remain unmarked." I wante to speak but she beat me to it.

"And… only that he isn't yours anymore. Storm Draven has been betrothed to me by the king, as my chosen mate and future husband."

I froze.

"What?"

More gasps erupted around the hallway. I could feel everyone staring. Even Chloe looked stunned.

Madelyn's mouth was hanging open, but the smug little twist of her lips told me she was enjoying this.

And just when I thought her delusion and lies couldn't be worse, I felt a familiar pull. My gaze shifted to the other end of the hallway.

Standing there staring at the little scene Serissa created were Storm, Jace and Kael.

Storm's expression was frantic, his eyes locked on mine. There was no denial in what she said in his eyes—nothing to give me a fight.

And in that instant, it all clicked.

This was the reason he had pulled away. This was why things had been so confusing.

Jade roared inside me. "NO!"

Storm called out my name, his voice desperate. "Spring. Love, wait!"

But I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes and I ran because if I stayed another second, I would shatter in front of everyone.

But I barely got far because Serissa grabbed my wrist and yanked hard.

"Going somewhere, slut?"

Her voice oozed venom, slithering into my ears like poison.

I didn't flinch. Not even a little.

"Let go." My voice was cold, clipped, and controlled.

Serissa's grip on my arm tightened, her perfectly manicured nails digging slightly into my skin.

"And why should I do that? I wouldn't want to miss the look on your sorry little face now that you've realised you were reaching for something that was never yours—my man."

I didn't need to look to know Storm had stopped walking. I felt it—the shift in the air, the sudden stillness, the thick tension.

Good, he could watch. If he won't fight to have me, I could take care of myself just fine.

I blinked away the sting of tears and gave Serissa the calmest smile I could summon—one that spoke more of ice than warmth. "Buzz. Off. Leech."

The insult hit. Her face twisted.

She yanked me closer so fast our noses nearly brushed. Her breath was sour with ego.

"Don't you worry," she whispered, her tone dripping with sinister promise. "I'll be coming for all your mates. One. After. The. Other."

Each word landed like a dagger, and she wanted me to remember them.

That was her mistake because I would.

Just as she started to release me, I snapped.

My hand moved faster than she expected, gripping her wrist instead, hard enough to make her eyes flicker in alarm.

I could feel heat surge within me as my power buzzed low in my veins. Jade wasn't silent anymore. She was coiled, awake, and furious.

"You picked the wrong heart to threaten, Serissa."

My voice was lower now, but louder in impact and dangerous.

I took a single step back, just enough to meet her gaze fully, so she could see the promise blazing in my eyes.

She tried to smirk, but I saw the flicker—just for a split second—in her confidence like a crack.

"I've watched tougher wolves beg for mercy," I murmured, my lips curling at the side. "Mess with my mates again… and I'll make legends of your screams."

She tried to snort, but it came out in a shaky voice.

Behind her, Storm had begun walking again, closing the distance. But I didn't wait for him.

I shoved Serissa's hand away—hard.

Hard enough that she stumbled a step back, almost losing her balance in her heels.

A few students nearby gasped, one even chuckled. Serissa's cheeks flushed with fury, but I didn't bother giving her another glance.

I turned and walked away.