Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Spring's POV~

The sun had already dipped low, streaking the sky in rose and gold by the time I finished curling the last strand of my hair.

My dress was simple but elegant. Storm didn't strike me as the flashy type. Something about him preferred sincerity over spectacle.

I heard the chime of the doorbell, and my heart immediately stuttered in my chest.

He's here.

I grabbed my clutch and practically rushed out of the room, nearly tripping on the last step of the stairs as I headed for the front door—but Rhys got there first.

Of course he did.

He opened it slowly, calmly, like this was a normal day and he hadn't spent the past couple of hours low-key brooding since the River incident.

From my place at the stairs, I saw Storm standing there. Dressed in a black shirt rolled at the sleeves, his long blond hair brushed neatly behind his shoulder, and his eyes were trained on me. Or maybe on the shadow of me behind Rhys.

"Storm," Rhys greeted coolly.

"Rhys." Storm nodded, keeping his voice low and guarded, yet respectful.

"Didn't realise your date was tonight," Rhys added, still not stepping aside.

Storm didn't take the bait. "We agreed on seven."

I stepped forward, smiling just enough. "I'm ready."

I moved toward them, but before I could reach Storm, Rhys gently caught my arm and pulled me just slightly to his side. His hand slid to my waist, but his grip lingered.

Rhys turned toward me with a smile that was far too calm. "You look beautiful," he said, then leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Absolutely stunning."

I smiled back, but I didn't miss the way his eyes flicked to Storm the whole time.

Storm didn't speak, but I saw the way his jaw tightened slightly, his spine straightening like he had to physically force himself not to react. His gaze didn't leave Rhys's hand or my cheek.

"Protective Alpha energy," Jade mused.

I cleared my throat, gently stepping out of Rhys's grasp.

"Don't miss your little sister too much," I teased, looking back at Rhys as I walked past him and toward Storm. He gave a mock scowl and waved me off.

Storm held the door for me and helped me into the sleek black car waiting outside.

Once he got in beside me, he didn't start the engine right away. He simply stared out the windshield for a few seconds, his fingers drumming the steering wheel.

I waited.

Then he spoke. "He always touches you like that?"

I turned my head toward him slowly, eyes twinkling. "Rhys? He's always been clingy."

Storm finally looked at me, and there was a flicker of something behind his gaze—restraint, amusement, and something deeper he hadn't named yet.

"I wanted to break his arm," he said flatly.

I blinked. "Seriously?"

"He kissed you," he added, like it explained everything.

I smirked and leaned back in the passenger seat, my fingers brushing the edge of my skirt. "You're going to have a long few years, then."

He raised a brow, finally shifting the car into gear and pulling onto the main road. "I don't mind a fight. But I prefer winning."

I chuckled. "Then play fair, Storm. That includes not growling at my brother."

"No promises," he muttered.

But when I glanced sideways at him, he was smiling. Just a little, and so was I.

The city lights dimmed behind us as Storm drove further out, past familiar turns, past the hum of evening traffic.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, trying to read him in the amber light of the dashboard.

He hadn't said much since we left. But he didn't need to. His presence was good.

"Where are we going?" I finally asked, just to cut through the silence.

He didn't glance over. "Somewhere private."

My stomach did a little flip.

Ten minutes later, we pulled into a long gravel driveway flanked by trees, the canopy of branches parting just enough to let moonlight filter through.

The car came to a stop in front of a small lakeside house—modern, minimalist, but beautiful. Storm got out first and came around to open my door.

He held his hand out and I took it.

His fingers laced through mine tightly, like he didn't want to let go, and I didn't want him to. I looked up as the evening breeze was cool against my skin.

Storm led me to the back, where a wide deck overlooked a moonlit lake. There was a table set for two—candles flickering in glass holders, white napkins folded into elegant shapes, and food already served, still steaming.

"Storm…" I turned to him, breath catching. "You did this?"

"I asked someone to prepare it," he said. "But I picked everything myself."

The table, the view, the food… and the music were playing low from somewhere unseen.

My throat tightened. I didn't expect this from him. He wasn't the type to show off or even charm. But this? This was intentional.

We sat, and for the first time, I saw him loosen his shoulders, relax, and his expression soften. He poured my drink and served my plate before touching his own.

"I know I don't talk much," he said after a moment, eyes flicking to mine. "But I see everything. I feel everything. And when it comes to you… It's intense."

I lowered my gaze. I wanted to speak, but the words "You make it feel intense."

He reached across the table and brushed his fingers lightly over my hand, just once. My skin tingled, but I tried not to dwell on it.

A couple of moments later, we ate slowly, laughing at small things, easing into a rhythm that felt surprisingly natural.

Every time his eyes met mine, I felt it—like something wanted to pull me closer. Like I was teetering on the edge of something… inevitable.

After dinner, Storm retook my hand and led me down a short path to the edge of the lake.

"Dessert?"

My brows creased. Where was that coming from? We weren't by the table anymore,s ow ehre was he planning on bringing the dessert from?

I barely had time to think when Storm turned to the side. The moon shimmered on the water like liquid glass.

There was a bench waiting, and when we sat, he pulled me in between his legs, wrapping his arms around me from behind so that I could rest my body against him.

As much as I wanted to refuse it, a huge part of me wanted to feel the closeness, hear his heartbeat, and listen to his breathing.

"I didn't think I'd be the one to fall for a girl," he said quietly against my neck.

I smiled, tilting my head to give him more space. "I didn't think I'd fall for anyone."

His lips brushed the edge of my jaw. "But here we are."

My breath caught.

Storm's lips moved again—this time lower, slower, along the side of my neck. My body leaned into him like it knew what it wanted, what it needed.

One of his hands brushed the hem of my dress lightly, not possessively, but reverently. As if he was reminding himself that I was real.

"Storm…" I whispered, bringing his mind back to the present.

He paused, pulling back slightly, his lips hovering near mine.

"I won't do anything you don't want," he said. "Not tonight or ever. But if you let me… I'll make sure you never forget how wanted you are."

That broke something in me. It wasn't lost, but as a woman, those words meant more than they should have.

I wasn't a virgin in my past life, but Spring was. And I shouldn't have reacted that way emotionally… but I felt something deeper for Storm..

I half turned, my body still pressed into him as I leaned in the rest of the way and kissed him.

It started soft, hesitant even, but Storm cupped my cheek, angled my face, and deepened it with a slow hunger that melted through my bones.

I did not know how or when, while getting lost in his kiss, his lips, but Storm's other hand settled at my waist, pulling me gently to straddle him on the bench.

I parted my lips as the kiss grew bolder. Taking that to his advantage, Storm slid his tongue in, meeting mine halfway as they caressed softly.

His fingers splayed against my back, his breath heating my skin. When we finally pulled away, I was panting softly, my forehead resting against his.

"You're dangerous," I murmured.

"You make me even more dangerous, Spring," he whispered back.

I didn't want the night to end, and from the way Storm was still holding me, neither did he.

But I knew that if we continued, I'd be losing Spring's virginity in this house or on the beach.

So instead, I tried to change the subject as I leaned into him.

"What do you love about me, Storm?"