Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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

~Spring's POV~

I heard Storm call after me but I wasn't interested in listening.

He had the chance to tell me what was bugging him but did he ever utilise it? No.

I literally just gave him the chance to come clean but what did he do? Tell me everything as right.

And I know I should not think this way but right now, I did not care. Why?

Because I was done letting my mates treat me however they wanted.

First, it was Rael. My moon goddess blessed Vampire mate. And now it was Storm.

And on each case, each of these guys, had given them my entire all. I was done.

"I made a mistake thinking I could leave a carefree life and could fall in love in this lifetime. Now, all it proves is that love wasn't meant for me and I was always too trusting."

Thankfully, as soon as I stepped outside the school gate, I spotted Rhys car waiting for me.

As much as I didn't want my brother to see me this way, it was way better than facing Storm.

Quickly, I rushed towards the car, knocked on the passenger's door at the front while glancing back to make sure Stornm wasn't too close.

And as soon as I opened the door and sat down, my eyes landed on the person at the driver's seat.

It wasn't Rhys. I couldn't have been glader.

"Drive."

That was all the instruction he needed as he stepped on it and drove us home right about teh ame time Storm's finger touched the car.

After I was sure Storm wasn't chasing us, I apologised to the driver.

He did not have any issues with it but all through the journey, my midn went blank. I was glad that Rhys wasn't home when I didn't see his car parked outside his house but what I met wasn't something I was expecting.

I slammed the door behind me with a loud thud as I hurried inside the house only to halt when I heard that familiar saccharine voice of no other than Rhys' girlfriend, River.

"Want to tear the house down?"

"What are you doing here?" I found myself asking, rathe rthan answering her question.

River walked out from the living room and met me close to the staircase.

"Huh, it's my boyfriend's house."

"In case you didn't realise, it's my brother's house," I countered and tuned to face her,w aiting for her comeback.

"Adopted," River corrected sharply.

"And that just seems to bite your ass anytime you think about it. Why? Because I'm more beautiful or because you know, unlike me, you can easily lose your position. I've been with him his whole life. Try contending with that."

River's mouth curled into a smug smile, but I didn't miss the flicker of something darker beneath it—something meaner and bitterer. "I'm not the one trying to seduce my own brother."

My brows shot up. "Excuse me?"

River's eyes glinted, venom behind her smile. "I may have only met you once, but I see what's happening now."

I tilted my head slightly. "Oh? Do tell."

"You walk in here like you belong, and suddenly you're at the center of everything. Rhys changes around you, and now even Eryx—" her mouth tightened. "What is it with you?"

I raised a brow. "So you are keeping tabs on me."

"You're turning Rhys against me," she said, voice rising. "Don't act like you're innocent. You re trying to seduce Rhys."

I scoffed at her. "Wow, what an accusation."

"Did I lie?"

"Did you?"

"Stop trying to steal Rhys. You don't have that right."

"Pardon?"

"You heard me," she spat. "You come into this family out of nowhere, and suddenly you're all they talk about. Rhys dotes on you like a lost puppy. So yes. You are trying to steal him."

"It's what older brothers do. They dote on and their kid sis." I folded my arms, taking a step forward. "And you don't get to accuse me of something disgusting just because you're insecure."

River scoffed. "I'm not insecure."

"Sure you are," I said calmly, tilting my head. "That's why you're here alone in my brother's house while he's out, stalking me and making wild accusations like a teenage villain in a cheap romance drama."

Her nostrils flared. "You think you're clever."

"No," I smiled faintly, "I know I am clever and definitely I'm not desperate."

River moved closer. "Maybe you fooled Rhys. Maybe even Eryx. But I see you for what you are—a parasite."

I took a sharp breath, blinking once before the ice settled in my chest. "Funny," I murmured, "coming from someone who clings to a man like her life depends on it."

She opened her mouth again—probably to spit more venom—but then the front door clicked.

Boots thudded against the floor, and the deep familiar scent of waffled through my nostrils before the familiar voice echoed.

"Spring?"

I turned just as Eryx stepped in. His tall frame filled the space effortlessly, his dark hair tousled from the wind, his hoodie slung over one shoulder like he'd just stepped off a motorcycle ad.

The moment his eyes landed on me, they narrowed—first in concern, then in focus.

River turned toward him with a smile. "Eryx…"

"What the hell is going on here?" he asked, already stepping forward, his attention fixed entirely on me.

"Nothing important," I replied, brushing invisible dust off my sleeve. "Just River being River."

His eyes flicked to her, then back to me. "Did she say something to you?"

I hesitated a little but it wasn't out of fear but because I knew that if I so much as said yes, he would explode.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine," Eryx refuted, stepping even closer, his hand gently coming up to tilt my chin. "Your eyes are red."

"She's just been emotional and faking to garner attention," River cut in sweetly. "Someone in school must've done something."

Eryx's eyes stayed on me and then they widened a little in recognition. "Did he touch you?"

I knew he was speaking of Storm. "No," I sighed, exasperated. "I just needed space. That's all."

But Eryx wasn't listening to River anymore. His posture had shifted, his presence radiating protective heat like wildfire contained in skin.

He reached out, tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, and said with a voice so soft it almost broke me: "You should have called me. I would've come for you."

"But I'm okay." My voice betrayed me into that weakened little sister mode that caved in to Eryx's love.

"No. You are my baby. Anything for you."

River's laugh came sharp and high-pitched. "Oh, please. Are you both forgetting that she's not even your real sister? If this was Rose, I wouldn't mind but acting like she is your girlfriend when she is clearly faking it all to get you attention."

She flickered her hair and shook her head. "Left to me, kids shouldn't be pampered too much and…"

"And who the hell gave you the right to complain about her seeking attention when you do not know her?"

River froze visibly. But after sometime, she put on her brave face and tried again.

"Oh, Eryx, I am ust saying you shouodn't trouble yourself too much over Spring. She is not…"

Eryx turned to her slowly, his jaw tight. "Do you have a death wish?"

River blinked. "What?"

"I don't care what anyone says," he continued, his voice dipping into a warning growl. "Spring is my sister. More than blood. More than bond. You don't get to question that."

"I… Eryx I am not wrong."

"Yes, you are!" Eryx thundered. "You are wrong in every aspect and I am so sure my brothers would agree. You do not touch our sister, no matter what. And she doesn't need to crave attention when she has it in abundance."

"You have only one sister. Rose. Spring… she's—"

"If you say 'adopted' again, I swear I will personally throw you out of this house." His voice was so calm, so clipped, that it sent a chill through the air.

River recoiled slightly. "You're both insane."

"No, River," I said with a soft laugh. "You're just desperate. Jealousy is not a good look on you. But if it satisfies you so much…" I waved a hand with mock kindness. "Enjoy."

Eryx's lips curved, just slightly, as he placed a hand on my back and turned me toward the stairs.

"We're done here," he said over his shoulder.

"You'll regret this," River called after us, but her voice trembled now.

We didn't respond.

Once we reached the top of the stairs, I turned to Eryx. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes," he said, pausing just outside my room. "I did."

I looked up at him, trying to understand the sudden rush of heat in my chest. Fortunately, it wasn't romantic—never that—but it was full of warmth.

"I'm tired," I admitted.

"Then rest. I'll be downstairs if you need me."

I nodded, offering him a small smile.

As he turned and left, I leaned against the doorframe and sighed.

I had no idea what tomorrow would bring. But tonight, I was reminded—again—that family wasn't all blood.

It's who walks through fire for you when you're too tired to stand.

Sadly for River, she just met the flame.

Ding!

I took out my phone from my pocket and checked the message notification.

Storm: Spring, I'm sorry but I'm coming. Give me a chance to explain and make this right.