Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Neil's POV~

"Thanks again, Spring," he called out before the door closed, then quickly added, "for the hospitality."

I just gave him a sweet smile. "Next time... Or better yet… don't come."

He winced. "You don't mean it. You'll miss my charm."

"The only thing she would be missing is freedom from you," Eryx retorted.

Neil didn't say anything, and then he was gone again.

This time, we both watched the door close behind him.

After about another five minutes, Rhys returned. Eryx didn't bother with him and continued typing on his phone.

"Eryx, shall we talk about your strong dislike for Neil?"

"He was hitting on Spring," Eryx stated flatly.

"And how is that a bad thing?"

Both Eryx and my brow shot up.

"What? Is Spring not of age? If at eighteen, no guy is looking at her, wouldn't you be worried if something is wrong?" Rhys questioned, folding his hands and glancing at both of us.

Eryx groaned in frustration. "But she has. She already has four guys she likes. So? You want more?"

"I should be asking you that, Eryx. Because from my position, it seems like you don't want any guy at all near her."

"Yes, she is small," Eryx admitted. I exhaled and let them continue their squabble.

"Stop kidding yourself. You just want her to yourself."

"And since when did that become bad?"

Rhys literally facepalmed himself. "Can you hear yourself? Oh, come on. You are not twelve, Eryx."

Eryx pouted, his signature move when he wanted to be babied in order to get out of something.

"Not gonna work this time."

"But Neil would have?"

Rhys sighed, tossing his hands in the air.

"Or his gifts would soothe better than your kid brother?"

"Neil, this and that. Come on. He didn't send the gifts. Rather, my patient's father did. Neil was supposed to drop off a gift, say thank you, and leave. He just… stayed longer than expected."

"And got slapped," Eryx added under his breath.

Rhys gave him a sharp look. "Not helping."

"I wasn't trying to."

I crossed my arms. "It's fine. I handled it. I think he got the message." I smiled faintly. "Now that you're both here, I'm good."

Rhys sat on the armrest beside me and patted my head, lightly, this time. "I should leave you with chicken more often."

Eryx scoffed. "Chicken, chocolates, and bear diplomacy. The holy trinity."

"Hmm, and you… Next time, skip the forehead collisions," Rhys muttered.

We all laughed—and just like that, the tension dissolved and Eryx spared.

"Oh, congratulations on your new class," Rhys suddenly cheered.

"Oh, I remembered," Eryx chimed in.

"You forgot, liar," Rhys chided him.

"Where's Kaius? I thought he said we were celebrating?" Eryx asked, changing the topic from himself again.

"He should be here anytime soon." No sooner had Rhys said it than the doorbell rang.

"He's here!" I announced and immediately stood up.

The moment the bell rang, I rushed toward the door, a smile already forming on my lips, expecting to see Kaius standing there with that smug grin and some ridiculous cake shaped like a book or something equally on-brand.

He loved bringing me gifts. And I had to admit, I was becoming so accustomed to them that I no longer felt weary, and it felt too natural, even for me.

Instead, I opened the door… and froze.

It wasn't Kaius. It was her.

"Hello, Spring," Rose said, voice sickly sweet as always, her smile charmingly curved like a mask stretched too tight.

My grip tightened on the doorknob. "What are you doing here, Rose?"

Her lashes fluttered like this was some polite tea party, not a cold war. "Is that any way to greet your sister?"

"I doubt I have one like you," I replied without missing a beat. "I just have brothers. But you, on the other hand… nah."

A flicker passed over her eyes… hurt, maybe or just disappointment that I didn't play into her little charade.

Behind me, I heard movement, feet approaching. Then Rhys's voice echoed with curiosity.

"Spring? Who is it?"

Before I could answer, the sound of Eryx's steps joined his, and I felt both of them approach behind me.

I moved slightly to the side just as Rose's hand flew out and she shoved me aside.

I stumbled half a step, more out of shock than force, and watched with narrowed eyes as she waltzed right in like this was still her kingdom.

"Eryx!" she said brightly.

Before I could recover or even speak, she'd flung her arms around his neck like some returning lover, hugging him tightly and pecking him on the cheek.

My chest tightened. There was this slight, irrational, uninvited feeling that crept up my spine. But there it was—jealousy.

Not that I wanted her affection. Goddess, no.

But it still stung watching her act like she hadn't shredded me with a smile and walked away.

Eryx didn't return the hug. He just blinked, clearly caught off guard.

And before I could roll my eyes, she'd already shifted to Rhys, who hesitated—but not fast enough. She slipped past his raised hand and kissed his cheek, too.

"I missed you all so much," she said like nothing had ever gone wrong. Like she hadn't gaslit me, shamed me, and tried to rip apart every bond I ever held.

Eryx stepped back, expression finally catching up. "Rose… What are you doing here?"

She beamed. "I missed you guys. And, I wanted to invite you personally to the family picnic trip. Mother said it was approved already, but I wanted to make sure Spring wasn't still mad and that she'd come."

Approved already? What was she talking about?

What family trip?

My head snapped toward Rhys. "Wait—what? When were you going to tell me?"

Rhys scratched the back of his neck. "We were going to tell you today, actually…"

"Right," I deadpanned. Today. After she'd already shown up and made herself at home.

Before I could process more, Rose turned her eyes to me again. "I just didn't want you to feel excluded… again. You know, like last time. I don't want you to think I don't care."

"Oh, please," I said, stepping forward. "Don't pretend you're doing this for me."

Her smile twitched.