Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Serissa POV~

As soon as the heavy doors shut behind my father, I didn't wait for a servant to speak or for my mother to breathe a word.

I turned and walked—calmly at first—out of her chambers and straight to mine.

Now wasn't the time for pep talks. I knew they meant well—well, in the way royalty ever meant well—but if I heard another word about duty or legacy, I might shatter something.

I hadn't thought much about how political my marriage would be. I always assumed one of the heirs would eventually fall in love with me—seal the perfect deal that way.

But no, definitely not like this.

My steps grew faster the farther I got from their suffocating presence. By the time I reached my chambers, I slammed the door shut. The sound echoed through the room, but I ignored it even as I made my way further inside.

I didn't cry.

Instead, my feet moved on their own, to and fro in my room. I paced, again and again, the velvet rug scuffed beneath my heels.

My fingers twisted a cluster of grapes I'd plucked from the bowl on my table. I bit into one. I instantly felt the sweetness on my tongue, but it felt like nothing. Just a hollow thing.

Heir to the House of Frost Dragon.

My jaw clenched.

The words kept spinning in my mind like a prophecy etched into stone. A political betrothal. No romance, no choice—just another calculated move on the great chessboard of power.

I tossed another grape into my mouth and stared at the moonlight spilling across the floor through my balcony curtains.

Would he even accept me?

Would Alpha Draven's son—the one who looked at me like I was a splinter beneath his boot—actually welcome the idea of me as his bride?

I didn't know.

But the thought turned my stomach.

I plucked another grape, walking again, letting the cool marble floor steady me.

**Flashback**

"To whom?" I'd asked quietly, the words falling from my lips before I could stop them.

My father stepped forward, eyes locked on mine like a king sizing up a pawn.

"Heir to the House of Frost Dragon."

My mother sucked in a quiet breath. "Meaning she's getting betrothed to Alpha Draven's son?"

"They hold influence," my father said simply. "We need it. And Serissa will ensure it."

I swallowed hard. My mouth went dry. I looked to my mother, hoping—desperately—for some reaction. Some protest. Something.

But she said nothing. She did nothing!

It was almost like she was willing to let it play out. What could she gain? More power?

I wasn't entirely surprised. Knowing my mum, she'd want something more—there was always more.

"As you wish," she murmured instead, her tone flat. "She shall be groomed accordingly, Your Majesty."

That's when I knew. It had already been decided.

"No discussion," Father added, like he could read my thoughts. "No refusal. You will be presented at the Frost Dragon estate within two weeks. This is what is best for your position—and your future rule."

"But Dad, am I the one courting him or is it the other way round?" I dared to ask.

"Who chases who doesn't matter in a case where both parents have decided. You are to do as you are told."

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

I didn't move. I couldn't.

Mother finally looked at me and said only, "It's done. You will act accordingly."

"Mother…" My voice cracked before I could rein it in. "Do you truly think it's for the best? That Father…"

"Your father knows what he's doing, Serissa. You are hoing to be Crown Princess. This alliance is the future. It is a rare opportunity we must not waste."

Her words hit harder than they should have. And I nodded, even as something inside me burned.

In my chest, under all the layers of composure and diplomacy, a fire stirred.

I looked past my mother's cold, calm face and thought of someone else.

If my mother were treating this as an opportunity, shouldn't I make the most of it to get what I want?

My thoughts and game shifted, focusing on one person.

"I knew the Moon Goddess never made mistakes. Looks like I won in the end, Spring."

**Flashback Ends**

Back in my chambers, I plopped down on the edge of the bed, still holding the grapes in my hand. Their juice was sticky on my fingers. I looked at them as if they were something strange and unfamiliar.

I didn't cry.

But my nails dug into my thigh until the ache gave me something real to feel.

Let Storm think I'm weak. Let him think I'm a pretty little ribbon-wrapped bribe from the Crown. Let him believe I'm just another political pawn in my father's never-ending war of alliances.

If he accepts this arrangement, he'll find out.

He'll learn that I am no one's shadow, no one's prize.

I am not Spring.

And if it comes to it, I'll burn the whole alliance to the ground before I let anyone mistake me for anything less than a queen.

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~Spring's POV~

By the time the third period ended, my brain felt like overcooked jelly.

The last few days had been a whirlwind: tests, whispers in the hallways, unexpected kisses, and late-night confessions that left me more dazed than I wanted to admit.

I'd barely survived Math class without drifting off, and now, all I wanted to do was crawl into the cafeteria, order something sugary, and pretend I was just a normal student again.

Just as I slung my bag over my shoulder and stepped into the hallway, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

1 New Message — Unknown Number

"Report to the Student Council Chamber at lunch. Don't be late."

I blinked and then let out a groan.

Oh, right, that deal.

The stupid, overly ambitious, now-very-real deal I had made before all this madness.

Vice President of the Student Council.

Lilith had offered it as a challenge, and I, being dramatic and annoyed that day, accepted.

The thought of her made me pause, a little cold ripple sliding down my spine. She was gone now, and the vacuum her absence created had a strange weight to it. Part relief, part dread.

I made my way down the eastern wing of the school building, where the older classrooms and specialised offices were housed.

The student council chamber was tucked near the end, just before the corridor sloped into the building's back courtyard. The polished plaque on the door read: STUDENT COUNCIL CHAMBER.

I exhaled, fixed my collar, and knocked once.

Three seconds passed, then the door swung open, and I froze.

All of them were there: Storm, Jace, Kael, Tyrion, Rael, Mira, Blade, Raphael, and even Isadora the witch born Strategist.

They were all seated at a polished mahogany table, filled with files, tablets, cups of steaming drinks, and a tray of something suspiciously like cupcakes.

"Spring Kaine," Mira announced brightly, arms out like I'd just returned from war. "Welcome to your new nightmare."

"Congratulations," Kael added, already grinning. "You're officially part of the governing elite."

"Not that elite," Jace muttered from his spot, one leg slung casually over the other, his usual smirk in place. "More like the glamorous chaos division."

I stepped in slowly, blinking at all of them. "This isn't a prank, right?"

Storm stood beside the head chair, nodding once. "It's official. You're our new Vice President."

Isadora clapped her hands. "And we brought cupcakes!"

"Student council sponsored," Rael added. "Out of pocket, of course."

"Of course," Tyrion murmured, then turned to me. "Take a seat, VP."

I walked over cautiously, the weight of so many eyes making my steps feel too loud. But Kael pulled out a chair beside him, and Storm stood until I sat.

It was a gesture too small for anyone to notice, but I did.

He was watching me again.

"Is this the part where you explain my doom?" I asked lightly, glancing around.

Mira passed me a folder. "This is your domain now. Scheduling, delegation, student conflict resolutions, and event coordination. You'll help Storm handle major decisions and provide input to the headmaster directly."

"Also, you get access to the private lounge," Arden chimed in. "And the garden. Oh, and the club allocation keys."

"Don't forget the tea privileges," Jace said, raising his cup. "Storm banned instant packets, so now we have only loose leaf."

"Rhys would love this place," I muttered under my breath, cracking open the folder.

Kael chuckled. "You're lucky. No one's ever jumped ranks like this before. Lilith was Vice President for two years after she clawed her way to the top."

A beat passed.

"Sorry," he added, realising his mistake. "Too soon?"

"Way too soon," Mira scolded, slapping his arm lightly.

But I just shook my head. "It's fine. Honestly, this is all so surreal."

Storm finally spoke again. "You earned your place here, Spring. No one in this room doubts that."

His words landed in the silence that followed, and suddenly, my heart beat a little faster.

Jace leaned over and whispered theatrically, "Okay, but like… are you gonna wear the blazer? Because Mira's redesigning the uniforms, and if you don't—"

"—She'll have a meltdown," Mira finished sweetly.

I laughed, and for the first time that day, I felt the weight on my chest ease up. "I'll think about the blazer," I said. "But I'm not making tea."

"We'll break you eventually," Kael winked.

"We always do," Tyrion added, sipping from his mug.