Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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

~Spring's POV~

Jace broke the tension first.

"Oh my goodness, you should've seen your face," he laughed, nudging Kael and grinning at me. "The blazer talk? Total bluff. Mostly."

Mira rolled her eyes. "Mostly," she confirmed, but I could see the mischief twinkling in her gaze.

I had just started to laugh along with them when Storm cleared his throat. The energy in the room shifted like someone had pulled a thread too tight.

"Now," he said in a dangerously calm voice. "Let us begin the induction properly."

The table straightened. Even Jace's grin faded, and everyone sat taller.

Storm's tone meant business—and it was strangely… hot, reminding me of last night and our kiss by the lake.

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

The induction wrapped up after a formal rundown of my duties, some surprisingly heartfelt words from Mira, and a "Welcome to the chaos" salute from Tyrion that made me laugh until I choked on my drink.

But once it was done, everyone began to filter out, leaving me to pack up my files and head back to class.

I was halfway down the hall when I spotted him.

Storm.

He was just ahead, walking in the opposite direction. I smiled and lifted a hand.

"Storm—"

But he didn't stop. Didn't even glance over his shoulder. He kept walking, long strides steady and distant.

My hand dropped.

My brows pinched together as something cold tightened in my chest. The night before had been… everything. But now? He was brushing me off like we hadn't shared that kiss, that moment, that feeling.

What just happened?

Before I could even take a step after him, someone stepped into my path.

"Vice President," Rael greeted smoothly, his lean form sliding between me and Storm's retreating back like a calculated shield.

I blinked. "Rael?"

"Congrats again," he said, tucking his hands into his pockets. "You're settling into power nicely."

"Thank you," I replied, distracted. I tried peeking over his shoulder again, but Storm had vanished around a corner.

Rael's smile twitched. "Busy?"

My eyes flicked back to him. "I… suppose not?"

"Perfect," he said. "Are you free tomorrow night? I have two passes to a live concert downtown. Thought you might like to come."

I tilted my head, a brow rising. "Is this a date?"

Rael chuckled, his expression unbothered and flirtatious in that effortlessly cool way of his. "Only if you want it to be."

"No," I said quickly, a little more defensive than I intended. "But thank you."

He laughed, bowing slightly. "Understood. I'll still save your seat. You might change your mind."

I didn't answer. I just kept walking, Storm's silence pressing more on my heart than I wanted to admit.

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

~Author's POV~

Meanwhile… Elsewhere in school, Beatrice sat cross-legged beneath the arching shade of the courtyard tree, her phone in her lap and her lips twisted in something between a pout and a scowl.

Her friends surrounded her—Liana and Justine, all perched on the stone benches, whispering and tossing glances toward the school building.

"Madelyn's been quiet lately," Liana said, chewing on her lip. "Like… weirdly quiet."

"Being a housepet does that to you," Justine muttered.

They snickered, but Beatrice remained still, her eyes following a group of juniors walking by—one of them humming something that sounded suspiciously like Spring's name.

"Spring's everywhere now," Liana said under her breath. "Student council. Her name is reigning after the assessments, although the results aren't out yet. With the heirs? It's like she flipped a switch and became untouchable overnight."

"Too high up," Justine added. "That makes the fall even better."

Beatrice finally spoke, her voice laced with bitterness. "We should've struck earlier. Now everyone's scared to even breathe wrong around her."

"But what do we do?" Justine asked. "Try to bring her down now, and we'll make more enemies than allies. Look at Madelyn."

Madelyn brought it upon herself. Besides, she wasn't a good friend and got beaten in he brown game. Left to me, I couldn't have thanked Spring more for exposing her," Justine voiced.

"Thank Spring?" Liana arched her brow. "She is as much our enemy as Madelyn. She needs to be reminded who runs this school."

Justine shook her head. "Definitely not us. She still rules as long as she has the backing from the alphas. That alone makes her all the more dangerous."

"Well, I am not giving up until she falls. I just can't wait for the field trip to come. I'd use that opportunity to ruin things for her."

While they all spoke, Beatrice's phone vibrated in her hand.

She glanced down, ignoring their chatting to check the message.

1 New Message — Rose

Her eyes narrowed as she straightened her spine.

Rose: Deal with Spring.

'This bitch still dishes out orders like she is the boss of me. Tsk. Well, if not that we have a common enemy, she'd be tasting something herself.'

Beatrice's lips slowly curled into a calculating smile.

"Well," she murmured, "maybe it's time someone reminded her she's not untouchable after all."

"That's my girl," Liana praised.

"And this time… it wouldn't be a public spectacle but quiet destruction away from the Alphas and for that, we need the trip."

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

~Rhys's POV~

The clock above my desk ticked calmly, but each second felt like a tiny hammer against my skull.

I'd been staring at the same file for ten minutes when a knock came at the door. I looked up and straightened in my seat.

He walked in quietly, tall, lean, and composed. Nile looked no more than twenty, but there was something in his movements that was older, calculated with precision like a man who had seen wars.

His silver hair shimmered under the overhead lights, and his pale blue eyes didn't wander—they pinned me the moment he sat.

I closed the file and folded my hands on the desk. "How are you feeling?"

"Alive," he said with a hint of a smile. "Which is more than what anyone thought I'd be."

I didn't answer that. Just let the silence stretch until he spoke again.

"I asked around," he continued, fingers drumming the edge of the chair. "Before I came here, they all said it was terminal. Hopeless. Said I'd die and no one would know why."

I nodded slowly. "They weren't wrong. It was bad. And obscure."

"So how'd you treat me?" he asked. "What did you do that no one else could?"

"I had help."

Nile tilted his head. "Help?"

I leaned back in my chair. "An anonymous source. They sent me everything—symptoms, analysis, even treatment instructions. Plants I'd never worked with before. Rare ones."

"Who was it?" His voice sharpened. "Who knew all that?"

I hesitated, but it was pointless to lie. "A girl. She goes by Solstice."

"Solstice," he repeated, like he was testing the word on his tongue.

"She doesn't like attention," I added quickly. "She's brilliant. But she prefers staying in the dark."

Nile's gaze didn't waver. "I just want to thank her."

"I've already passed on your gratitude," I lied easily. "She won't meet you. She refused to meet me as well."

"I see." Nile nodded as he stood and brushed his coat before adjusting it. "I'll be back with a gift," he said.

"That's not necessary."

"It's not something you can refuse, Dr. Rhys. It's from my father. And he doesn't like hearing no."

Before I could argue, he slipped out the door.

I watched him leave till my door shut behind him. I sat there, drumming my fingers against the desk. My eyes narrowed. That boy… wasn't ordinary.

A certain chill enveloped me whenever he spoke.

I pulled out my phone, manoeuvred my way to Solstice's chat, and sent a quick text.

Me: You've got fans now. Not just me. Others are curious about you and want to meet you.

Solstice: Saving a life equals sudden popularity? Great. Just the no publicity I need, Dr. Rhys.

Me: I'm sorry, and I may've let it slip that you're a girl.

Solstice: You what?

Me: It was instinct. He's sharp, though. Might try to find you.

Solstice: Let him try.

I exhaled slowly, tapping the screen once more.

Me: Be careful.

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

~Nile's POV~

I closed Rhys's door behind me but I didn't look back immediately. Instead, I walked slowly until I got to the bend leading to the elevator and paused, then i looked back.

Solstice.

He said she was a girl. Interesting.

I'd watched him, the way he flinched the second her name slipped out. That was no rehearsed answer. That was instinct. And instincts never lied.

Whoever she was, she saved me a total stranger. Either she really did that or she wants me to find her and may be an enemy.

Still, I wasn't the sort of man to let something like that go unacknowledged—or unstudied.

As I reached the elevator, I pulled out my phone. The glow of the screen felt too bright against the walls. I typed quickly, then hit the send icon.

Manager Andy: Search parameters: Hacker alias "Solstice." Female. Medical-grade analysis capability. Operates anonymously. Find her.

I waited for a reply to see if he was online.

Two seconds later, his response came.

Andy: How deep you want this run? Quiet or full throttle?

Me: Quiet. I don't want her running. Not yet.

Manager Andy: Understood.

I slipped the phone back into my coat pocket, then turned to glance at the reflection in the steel doors. My eyes were still pale and too clear—ghostly, some said.

"Solstice," I murmured.

You saved me. Now I'm going to find you. And when I do… you're going to tell me everything and how you, as a human, know how to treat a supernatural wound, whether you want to or not.