Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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

~Spring's POV~

Jade stirred within me when she felt them come close, but as much as I wanted to jubilate, I wasn't in the mood for such.

Their steps were unhurried, but their presence made the walls feel too small, and the air became too thick. Students along the corridor melted to the sides without a word.

Lucien swallowed hard.

Storm's eyes locked on mine first, then slowly shifted to Lucien.

"What did he say to you?" Storm asked in a somewhat gentle voice, but the flames in his eyes told a different story.

However, there was nothing gentle in the aura pouring off him—nothing soft in the fire behind his gaze.

He was only being careful for me, for my sake.

I didn't answer and gave him a subtle smile, then Jace stepped forward next, cracking his knuckles lazily. "Let me guess. Something degrading. Something that deserves a dislocated jaw?"

Kael didn't speak. He just walked up beside Lucien and tilted his head slightly, as if trying to remember whether he'd stepped on something as irrelevant before.

Tyrion smiled coldly, a charming smile that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand. "You really thought you could insult her and walk away without consequence?"

Lucien tried to puff up again, but his voice came out uneven. "She—she hit me first—"

"And we'll finish what she started," Storm growled. "But not here or now."

Jace chuckled darkly. "No, not where she can see. Spring doesn't need to watch trash get cleaned off the floor."

I turned slightly, ready to tell them to stop—but Kael cut me off with a glance.

"You've fought enough battles," he said. "Let us handle this one."

Lucien took another step back. His face was pale now, sweat gathering near his temple.

Storm leaned closer, just enough for Lucien to hear. "Say her name again like that. Just once. I dare you, and I'll forget you are her mate."

Lucien didn't speak. He didn't dare to go against them.

"Pathetic," I finally muttered, looking him in the eye one last time. "You were never like them. You never even tried to be."

Lucien winced, that insult cutting deeper than my punch had.

Storm turned to me, offering a hand. I took it without hesitation.

He didn't pull me close, just walked at my side as we turned away.

The others fell in step, and we left Lucien standing in the middle of the corridor, surrounded by his disgrace.

And that proved I didn't have to fight anymore or be alone. I finally understood what it meant to be protected, chosen, and loved, even in the face of cruelty.

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

That day, when I got home, everything seemed calm. Even after Storm and the others led me away, we barely spoke.

They tried to care, but I wasn't feeling anything. All I wanted was to go home and have my well-deserved peace.

And I did.

The driver Rhys arranged for me came to pick me up before my mates had time to speak to me.

I found out from the butler and maid in Rhys' house that he would be having the night shift and he wouldn't be home until the next day.

He also had a few things to handle that day at the hospital; hence, he couldn't pick me up, nor could he wait for me.

I greeted them, headed inside my room to freshen up, and when I was done, there was a text from Rhys.

Rhys: Sorry, I can't be home with you. I wanted us to have karaoke night, but I guess that would be another time.

Me: It's fine. I still have to read for my assessment test tomorrow.

Immediately, I placed my phone down, and his reply came. I picked it up and unlocked my phone.

Rhys: Okay, little sis, big bro loves you.

Me: I know, right?

I knew he wouldn't be expecting such a reply, but I gave it to him anyway.

As soon as it was sent, I added it.

Me: Love you too.

As soon as I said that, something in me blossomed in a way that made me feel safe, sound and yet happy.

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

By the next day, the halls of Noxshade Academy had never been this quiet.

The assessment week was its own kind of curse—whispers replaced laughter, and even the wind outside seemed to hush itself in respect for the collective panic in the air.

I had just finished my afternoon test, Chemistry, which honestly felt like an insult to my intelligence at this point.

Because they seemed recycled thanks to Spring's memory and my study.

I was done in fifteen minutes and had spent the remaining time doodling in the margins of my answer sheet.

After submitting it and stepping outside, the afternoon sun kissed my face as I stretched and yawned.

I needed air and maybe sugar.

I started heading toward the small garden courtyard behind the west wing—the one with the ivy-covered benches and shaded trees. It had become my thinking space and hiding place.

But as I turned the corner, I nearly collided with someone tall. I blinked up, startled. "Storm?"

He stepped back a little, his hand instinctively reaching to steady me by the elbow.

"Didn't mean to spook you," he said softly, as always when it came to me. His eyes swept over me once, checking, reading—maybe even memorising. "You're done with your test?"

"Yeah. Just now. What are you doing here?" I tilted my head.

He gave a one-shouldered shrug, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Nothing. Our next assessment isn't until thirty minutes from now, and I… I wanted to see you. Figured you might need a break."

My heart did that stupid flutter thing again. "You came all this way just to see me? Or were you hoping to spy on me from a certain window?"

Storm twisted his lips a little. "You already have a record of finishing early. I was hoping to catch a moment with you."

"Is that so?"

Storm didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped to the side and gestured. "Walk with me?"

I nodded and fell in step beside him. The path we took curved gently through a garden trail. The roses were still blooming, and the scent of something faintly lavender danced in the air.

He was quiet for a moment, then said, "Your scent's different when you're tired."

I turned to him, half-smiling. "That's an odd observation."