Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Author's POV~

Jade watched with a cold gaze. "Can you undo it?"

The witch hummed, tilting her head like a curious raven. "This is not a curse placed by me."

"But it has your magic imbued in it," Concubine Jade interjected.

"Yes, but that's my long-lost apprentice. This was mine and still isn't mine. This reeks of amateur magic, unanchored and rushed." She stopped directly in front of Serissa, examining her like a painting hung off-centre. "Tell me, child. What foolish thing did you attempt?"

Serissa flinched but didn't look away. "It was a pin curse," she muttered. "For a girl in my school."

Jade's eyes sharpened. "You said you only wanted to influence her decisions and ruin her image."

"Yes, mother, that was the plan, but I never knew it was that powerful and that things would go AWOL." Serissa swallowed, her voice bitter. "It wasn't supposed to... backfire."

The witch's smile was razor-thin. "Ahh. The irony of cursed intention." She raised a hand and touched Serissa's forearm, fingers cold as marble. "The cursed pin meant for the girl was used on you."

Serissa's breath hitched. Her shoulder jerked like she wanted to yank her arm away, but the witch's grip was light, unyielding.

"You marked yourself. It has turned inward. Feeding on your malice. Your obsession."

Jade rose slightly. "I did not call you to state what we already know," she cut in coldly. "Can it be undone, Nyx Vermillion?"

The witch tilted her head again, amused. "Anything can be undone. But this is not a parasite. It is now part of her. To remove it is to carve away part of her soul."

Serissa's lips parted. "Then what do I do?"

The witch leaned in and whispered in a silk-wrapped steel voice. "We will not remove it—not yet. First, we study it. Understand what it's growing into. A pin curse turned inward doesn't just corrupt... it evolves."

Jade's expression soured. "So she's... contaminated herself."

"No," the witch whispered, smiling at Serissa's paling face. "She's becoming something new. And perhaps... dangerous."

Serissa gritted her teeth. Her heart pounded, not from fear, but from the icy realization that in trying to curse Spring Kaine, she may have sown something monstrous in herself.

And the witch?

She looked delighted.

Just when Serissa thought she had killed herself, a hollow, maniacal laughter tore through the air as Nyx lifted her head and hands into the air.

Concubine Jade narrowed her eyes at her, but no words came forth.

Then, just as Serissa was about to ask what was funny, Nyx brought her head down. "Just kidding. It can be undone."

Serissa staggered back, placing her hand on her chest as fear crept into her heart.

"And easily at that."

"Then why didn't you just say so?" Serissa questioned in a shaky voice.

"And ruin the fun?" Nyx's smile returned and then dropped as she became focused. "No. Not in a million."

Suddenly, she lifted her right hand, her long nails forming a weapon, sending fear down Serissa's spine.

"Now, shall we begin?"

Serissa never expected that what started as a simple prank against Spring to make the alphas lose interest would turn the tide against her and put her through all of this with the witch.

Several minutes passed, and before long, it was already fifty minutes since Nyx started her magic, trying to cure Serissa.

With both ladies seated opposite each other with their hands linked and Nyx's necklace placed on the table, Concubine Jade watched beside her daughter with keen interest.

She opened her eyes, a deep smile forming on her face. "It is done. You're no longer cursed."

Cold sweat dripped down Serissa's face as she opened her eyes and let go of Nyx's hands. Her fingers trembled as she looked around herself and then back at her mother.

"I feel light."

Concubine Jade heaved a deep sigh, and then she nodded. "Thank you."

"Ah ahnn… You know my pay and what it is."

Concubine Jade nodded. "Yes. The arrangements have been made, and they will be brought to you, but for now…"

She gestured towards her lady-in-waiting. At once, Mistress Dame Marcella stepped forward with a chest box and gently placed it on the table in front of Nyx.

Slowly, Nyx opened the box, and what she saw was gold—lots of it.

"Okay… Until later."

Nyx rose from her seat, her gown moving with her. Her gaze narrowed on Concubine Jade, and then the corner of her lips lifted.

Without saying much, she turned and made for the door, only to stop when her fingers latched on the handle.

"That which you keep hidden the most has finally seen the light of day."

"What?" Jade lifted her brow but kept her composure.

Nyx chuckled as she turned and locked eyes with Jade. "Look within yourself, and the answer will come to you. Don't worry, your position may or may not be shaken."

Concubine Jade's eyes narrowed further, her fingers tapping slightly on the table.

"Yet."

And with that, she pulled the door open and walked out.

A few minutes had passed with no one speaking to each other. Serissa turned to look at her mother. "What was that about? What does she mean?"

Still, Concubine Jade did not say a word, simply looking ahead.

"Mum, talk to me. Are you in trouble or…"

"Shut it," Jade hushed Serissa, and in the next second, a voice rang out.

"The King is here."

Serissa's eyes went wide. She pressed her lips together as she stood up after her mother.

The chamber doors opened in full, gold-trimmed panels creaking as a shadow fell across the room.

Every movement stilled. The air shifted, and the king had arrived.

He stepped inside in a dark charcoal suit, every line tailored to precision. His gaze swept across the space, scanning with icy patience until it landed squarely on Concubine Jade.

Her breath hitched just once—barely visible—but she dipped her head low as silk sleeves brushed the floor.

"Your Majesty," she greeted with grace.

Serissa's spine straightened beside her, keeping her composure. Her palms still itched faintly from the witch's ritual, but she showed no outward tremor.

At the side, Mistress Dame Marcella snapped into action. She waved her hand, and maids scurried forward to clear the table, lift the chairs, and erase the ritual's scent from the air.

Still, the king didn't move at first. He stared at the now-empty space once occupied by the witch, eyes narrowing only slightly before turning back to his concubine.

Jade stepped forward again, her voice low and silken. "Come, my King, shall I escort you to the living room? You must be—"

"No," he cut through her words. Then his gaze turned and landed like a blade on Serissa.

Serissa shuddered slightly as she lowered her head before her father.

His gaze softened a little as he gently caressed her cheeks. "Plans have been made," he said, his voice flat and imperious. "You're going to be betrothed."

The words dropped like a sword to the floor.

Serissa froze, lips parting slightly, a slow breath pushing past her teeth. She blinked, unsure if she had misheard—but the look in his eyes confirmed everything.

No explanations. No warning. Just an edict. A decision.

"A royal alliance?" Jade asked carefully, her tone measured, but Serissa heard the subtle shift. She was surprised too.

The king didn't look at her. "Yes, it's been finalised. And your groom would soon be notified."