Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Spring's POV~

I stared at the message for a long time.

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

A part of me wanted to throw my phone across the room, bury it under my pillow, or mute every notification that dared disturb the fragile peace I'd finally achieved. But another part of me—the part still foolish enough to care—froze.

He was coming.

I wasn't ready to see him and maybe not ever.

I rubbed at my arms as a cold chill swept over me, despite the fact that the room was warm.

My fingers trembled just a little when I finally put the phone down on my desk, screen still glowing with his name.

"Why now?" I muttered.

Was it guilt? Was it obligation? Or was it because I'd walked away?

I didn't know but I wasn't sure I wanted my heart to be played again.

All I knew was that I didn't want to be caught off guard again.

My chest tightened as I stood up and crossed to my window, pulling the curtain back just enough to glance down at the driveway.

There was no car or headlights yet. But I knew better than to believe I had all the time in the world.

I needed a distraction—anything to anchor me back to myself.

I didn't want to reply his text but a part of me hoped that in doing tht, he'd think maybe I wasn't home or I had gone to my parents house.

Though seeing Rose wouldn't be a good option either. Then again, Eryx and I could go over to his house tonight. Or Kaius if I called.

I kicked off my shoes, took my uniform off and placed my phone on my bed and headed for the bathroom.

The sound of running water calmed me somewhat, even though my mind still spun with everything that had happened: River's venom, Storm's silence, Eryx's unwavering defense.

And now… Storm's apology.

I sighed and tilted my head back, to allow the warm water fall on my face and head, drifting my focus to holding my breath.

By the time I'd freshened up and changed into something simple—leggings and a long hoodie—I felt a little more stable, less breakable and less… pathetic.

That is, until the doorbell rang.

I stiffened before my heart lurched painfully.

It rang again, softer this time. Without thinking too much I left my room. The last thing i wanted was River to snoop and open the door.

I moved to the hallway, taking each step slowly until I stood just at the edge of the stairs. I could see the front door from here.

I didn't want to answer the door—but I wanted Eryx answering it even less.

So I inhaled sharply, summoned whatever courage I had left, and descended.

By the time I opened the door, Storm was already standing there—hands in his jacket pockets, blond hair messy from the wind, and eyes that looked like they hadn't rested since I left him at school.

He exhaled as soon as he saw me. "Thank God."

I said nothing and he toojk that as his cue to take a cautious step forward. "Can I come in?"

I leaned against the doorframe, arms folded. "Depends. You here to lie again or to actually speak the truth?"

His face tightened at that. "To speak the truth."

There was something different in his tone. Storm wasn't defensive, his tone was not even pleading. Just… honest, tired and raw like leaving him had undone him.

Well, technically we weren't an item yet. We just went out on a date.

I stepped aside, releasing my hands.

Storm walked in slowly, glancing around as though half-expecting someone to ambush him. But it was just the two of us here now. The house had fallen quiet again.

"Rhys isn't home," I said quietly. "Eryx is upstairs."

He nodded. "I figured. His scent isn't that string as compared to Eryx's and some… else."

He drew the last part and I knew he meant River but I wasn't interested in telling him about her. Else, another alpha mode would be activated and his would be deadly.

Storm, based obn who he is or his raks and father was, did not respect anyone who toyed with his mate, no matter their age.

Silence stretched between us for a moment.

Then he turned to me fully. "I didn't mean to shut you out. I was trying to protect you from something I hadn't figured out how to face myself."

"Which is?" I asked as though I didn't know, keeping my tone cool but not as icy as earlier.

He sighed and dropped onto the couch, scrubbing a hand down his face. "My father and the Werewolf King arranged a betrothal with Princess Serissa. I rejected it but…"

That wasn't what bothered me. It was already done. However, something else pricked my mind.

"Since when?"

Storm looked caught of guard by my words. "Spring, I…"

"When?" I said firmly.

"The day of our date."

"Before or after?"

"Before but I found out after."

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

Storm looked up, watching my face carefully. "I didn't agree to it. I didn't want it. But by the time I found out, it was already presented as a done deal."

I pressed my fingers to my temple. "So instead of telling me, you just… pulled away?"

"I was scared," he admitted. "Not of Serissa, not of the betrothal—but of hurting you. I didn't know how to tell you something that made me feel like I was betraying you even before anything happened."

"You should have said something," I whispered, sitting on the arm of the chair opposite him. "I gave you space to talk. You looked me in the eyes and said nothing was wrong."

"I know," he said, his voice fraying. "I know. And I was a coward for it."

There it was. The truth I had waited to hear. Not the confession of betrayal, but the admission of weakness.

I stared at him for a moment longer, then asked, "Do you want her?"

Storm's head snapped up. "No. Gods, no. I barely tolerate her. Everything in me wants you."

I sighed and stood up. I wanted to believe him, to be honest I did, but even then my scars and trauma wanted me to reject it, reject him before it cost me my life again.

First Rael. Now Storm. How many more heartbreaks did the moon goddess expect me to survive? Four more?

"Like I said Spring, I was trying to resolve it and dissolve the engagement but my father till now has been proving stubborn and…"

He looked at me, his eyes glistening with tears. "I was scared to hurt you, too scared that when you found out, you'd feel betrayed and leave me."

I folded my arms and stomped my foot lightly. "You can't blame me if I choose to do that, you know?"

"I know but you are my mate. I can't have that, Spring. Spring I… I love you. With all my heart. And this is not the matebond talking. This is me. Ever since you kissed me in school that day, I just couldn't take my eyes off you. You were in my thoughts and my mind everyday. Please, love."

"It doesn't change the fact that by law and order, you report to the Alpha King. As such, you are supposed to be with Serissa."

"I don't want her, Spring. I want you."

"Then tell that to her. Because I won't let her come after any of my mates again."

"That includes me too right?"

"I am not fighting your battles for you Storm. This is something you ought to do yourself. And when you can, I'll stand by your side against all odds. But until then, prove to me why I should be with you."

"I know. I know, Spring. I know I also have to protect you from all risks but I will. I promise. I will fight for you and our love."

He stood and crossed the space between us in two long strides. "I'm in love with you, Spring Kaine. I don't care about the betrothal, the crown, or any damn alliance. I'll walk away from it all if that's what it takes to keep you."

The words reverberated like a silent vow. And just like that… the anger started to crumble.

"Do you mean that?" I asked, voice barely above a breath.

Storm cupped my face gently, fingers tracing the curve of my jaw. "Every word."

A tremor moved through me as his forehead leaned against mine, breath mingling with mine.

"Then fight for me, Storm. Don't just show up after the fact. Fight. Because I am tired of being the one who always fights."

He nodded slowly, resolutely. "Then let me fight. Let me start tonight."

I studied his face for a beat longer, then let the cold edge in my voice return.

"If you want to fight," I said, "start with your father, proceed to the king. Then we'll talk."

His jaw flexed, but he nodded again—this time slower, more grounded.

Only then did I allow myself to lean forward, just slightly. And then he kissed me softly with that silent fire I'd first fallen for.

The kind of kiss that said, I'm still here. I'll always be here. Reassuring, full of promises I wasn't sure he could keep. But for the first time in days, I didn't feel like I was drowning alone.

When we finally pulled apart, I whispered, "You've got a long way to go."

"I'll take every step," he said.