Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Storm's POV~

The drive back from the lake was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Spring sat beside me, barefoot now, humming softly to herself, her head tilted back against the seat.

Her eyes were closed, but that smile on her lips hadn't left since dinner.

The kiss still lingered on my tongue—its sweetness, its fire—and part of me was already thinking about the next time I'd get to feel her like that again.

I pulled up to the house and stepped out first, circling around to open her door before she even reached for it.

"Chivalry's not dead, I see," she teased softly.

"For you? Never," I murmured, offering my hand.

Spring took it, and our fingers interlaced naturally, like they were always meant to. I walked her to the door, but before I could speak, movement caught my eye upstairs.

I looked up to see that Rhys was peeking through the hallway window, half-concealed by the edge of a curtain.

I smirked. Of course, he'd be watching.

Spring followed my gaze and groaned. "Ignore him," she whispered. "He's going to interrogate me for details the moment I walk in."

"I'll give him something to think about," I muttered under my breath before turning back to her.

Spring raised an eyebrow just as I leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against her lips. She sighed into it—and that was all the permission I needed.

I deepened the kiss, cupping the back of her neck, my fingers tangling slightly in her hair.

My other hand settled on her lower back, drawing her just a little closer. She melted into me like fire meeting water, and for a moment, everything else faded.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, I rested my forehead against hers.

She blinked up at me, dazed. "You didn't hold back that time."

I grinned, my thumb brushing her cheek. "Second date," I whispered, "I'm going to ask you something important."

Her eyes searched mine, wide and curious. "What is it?"

I chuckled and shook my head. "You'll ruin the surprise if you guess. Just trust me—I'll make it special."

She nodded, visibly intrigued. "Now I'm going to be thinking about it all week."

"Good," I smirked, kissing her forehead. "But who said anything about it being a week later?"

Spring's eyes went wide. "During the week?"

I shrugged. "Any day of the week can work."

"We have school."

"Yes, and because what I plan on doing may involve us staying together all night long…" I clamped my lips before I spilt more, but rather than get angry at my proposal, Spring did not snap at me.

Rather, she looked at me with those sheepish eyes of hers and bit her lower lip as though she was looking forward to this more than I was…. Whatever my plan was.

"I love it when you're…" She parted her lips, stuck out her tongue a bit to the side, before winking at me.

"Sleep well, beautiful."

"Thank you for such a lovely date, Storm," she whispered, and with a small wave, she slipped inside the house.

I watched her walk away with her purse and shoes in hand until the door clicked shut behind her.

Then, slowly, I turned my head back up.

Rhys stood behind the window now, fully visible. Curtain drawn. Staring right at me.

I gave him a long, slow nod… and the smirk never left my lips.

He didn't return it, but I didn't care.

Spring Kaine was my mate, not his.

I slid into my car and started the engine, pulling away from the curb.

The moonlit road stretched ahead, but my thoughts weren't on the asphalt. They were still back there—on the kiss, her breath, the way her fingers had curled around my shirt.

My wolf stirred within me.

"She's softening to us," he rumbled. "She'll be ours soon."

"We're making progress," I said aloud.

"You mean, you're not going to drag her into the woods and mark her like a feral beast anymore?" my wolf teased, clearly amused.

"I didn't say that," I muttered under my breath, and chuckled.

I shoved him to the back of my mind and let her thoughts fill my head as I drove straight home.

The moment I stepped into the house, I froze.

My father stood at the far end of the living room, tall and stern as ever, one hand clasped behind my back and the other hand held a glass of champagne.

My mother sat elegantly on the velvet couch, her legs crossed, iPad in hand. She looked up when I entered.

"There you are," my father's voice boomed.

"Good evening, Father. Mother." I inclined my head respectfully.

My mother smiled softly, rising slightly to offer her cheek. I kissed her in greeting.

"How's my favourite son doing?"

I chuckled softly. "Mum, I am your only son."

"Which still makes you my favourite," Mum corrected me lovingly as she pecked my forehead. "You met her?" she whispered softly.

"I…" But before I could sit and respond, my father spoke again.

"Storm. There is… good news."

I stilled and my mother froze, lips pressed together.

"You have a betrothal engagement."

My spine locked.

"What?"

My eyes darted to my mother, who wouldn't meet them.

"The king has made his final decision on your match," Father continued, his tone final.

The words crashed into me like ice water. I took a slow step back, the echo of Spring's laughter still ringing in my ears.

"My what?"

My father didn't blink. "The arrangement has been sealed."

I stared at him, barely breathing. The night I'd just spent—the promises, the kiss, everything—it all now hung in the air like a cruel joke.

Betrothed. To someone else.

And just when I thought he wouldn't kill me more than the news he gave, my father worsened it.

"You are to be betrothed to his daughter. Princess Serissa."

To Serissa.

My eyes went wide, and my brain went completely blank. No. This couldn't be happening.

Not now, when I had finally found the one I wanted. When I had just kissed Spring, as if she were the only future I wanted.

And not when I was already falling in love with her, and I was going to ask her to be my girlfriend.