Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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

~Spring's POV~

I turned and found one of the teachers—Professor Elyra, the assistant head of curriculum—standing nearby with a clipboard in one hand and a curious expression on her face.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"The principal would like to see you," she said, tapping the clipboard absently. "In her office. Now, if possible."

My heart skipped a little bit. "Am I in trouble?" I asked, already running through a mental checklist of things I might've accidentally done.

I did not expect it to be this soon but I had partially prepared for this.

It was time to right the wrong Rose did to Spring in all those other schools.

Professor Elyra cracked a small smile. "Not at all. But she said to come alone."

Nari squeezed my arm gently. Chloe gave me a thumbs-up that felt more like a good luck at your funeral gesture.

I nodded and began walking toward the principal's wing, my heart drumming faster than it should. The buzz of the crowd behind me didn't quieten, but it faded into the background.

Perfect scores, accusations, summons to the principal. What was this? An achievement or another of Rose's setups?

I guess I was about to find out.

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

I stood in the Principal's office, my arms at my sides, trying not to fidget.

The room was cold in that sterile way administrative spaces always were—neat bookshelves, polished wooden desk, old air freshener trying to hide the scent of ink and paper.

A few seconds passed before Principal Yelena looked up from her laptop. Her sharp eyes landed on me, and though she was smiling, I could tell it wasn't from warmth.

Professor Elyra stood beside me, clipboard still in hand, though her posture had shifted to something a little too careful, like she didn't want to be associated with me too clearly.

"Miss Kaine," Principal Yelena said at last, folding her hands atop the desk. "I assume you've seen the assessment results posted today?"

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"And what do you have to say for yourself?"

I blinked. "I... studied?"

There was a pause.

Then the Principal's lips curved, but not in amusement. "You went from borderline remedial scores on your entrance evaluations to perfect marks across all categories in under a semester or a month, even."

"Two actually." I hesitated. "I... had a difficult time when I first arrived. I'm adjusting now."

She leaned back in her seat. "Adjusting? Spring, this kind of improvement isn't just rare—it's statistically improbable. Students and even some staff members have raised concerns. Cheating. Falsified records. Assistance from the Alpha heirs."

"I didn't cheat," I said immediately, trying to keep my tone steady.

"If you didn't, how do you explain getting expelled from three different schools and having a bad grade before?"

"Through studying to improve."

"Then, why didn't you do so before?"

"I…" I shut my eyes briefly and exhaled. "I did not cheat, ma'am. And if anyone thinks I did, they're slandering me."

Professor Elyra's fingers twitched on the clipboard.

The Principal's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not the first to say you were slandered, Miss Kaine. But what makes your case unique? What reason would anyone have to frame you of all people?"

I clenched my jaw. "Because I'm not just anyone. At least... not to them."

"Them?" she echoed, one brow lifting.

"I've been targeted before at other schools. I know how it sounds, but I wasn't expelled—I was set up. And now that I'm doing better here, people can't stand it."

"Do you have proof of this alleged setup?" the Principal asked dryly.

"No." My voice wavered for a second, but I looked her in the eye. "But does it make sense that someone who's trying to cheat would turn in their exam in under twenty minutes and still get everything right?"

"That's exactly what makes it suspicious," she replied coldly. "If you were trying to cover your tracks, you wouldn't linger."

"I didn't have to linger," I shot back. "Because I knew the answers. I studied. Because I've been through this curriculum before."

She stilled. "Excuse me?"

I exhaled. "I wasn't placed in the Sophomore class because of my academic standing. I was forced into it because of a reputation I didn't earn. You should know this. I've already passed most of these subjects before in another school. That's why this material feels like a review. It's not magic or impossible."

She tapped a pen against her desk. "Convenient but your other school record weren't all that great too."

"It's the truth."

"Truth is proven with more than just conviction, Miss Kaine."

"So what do you want me to do?" I asked, trying to hold her gaze even though I could feel my palms beginning to sweat.

Principal Yelena closed her laptop slowly, then leaned forward, elbows resting on the polished wood.

"You want to prove this isn't a fluke? That you're not cheating, or being propped up by powerful friends?"

My eyes narrowed as I nodded.

"Fine. You will take the Senior Year test, as well as a repeat of your current class assessments, just that this time, a new set of questions will be set. You shall be supervised and timed."

My mouth parted. "I... both?"

"Yes. Simultaneously. You'll be given the next week to prepare. If you pass both—at the level you claim to be capable of—then I'll admit I was wrong."

"And if I don't?"

"You'll remain in the Sophomore class. And this... conversation will be permanently sealed in your record."

"That's not fair," I protested, my voice rising. "You're treating me like a criminal."

She stood slowly. "I'm giving you a chance, Miss Kaine. Something none of your previous institutions apparently did. Prove to everyone that you never cheated and you were wronged."

I inhaled sharply, trying to contain the frustration curling hot beneath my skin.

She was right and I had nothing to fear. I just had to keep an eye on Rose and her minions, this time around.

"Then I accept," I said through gritted teeth. "I'll take the tests. I'll pass them."

She nodded once. "Good. Professor Elyra will provide you with the list of subjects. Prepare well."

I turned to leave, but before I reached the door, the Principal's voice called out again.

"And Spring?"

I paused.

"I don't know who you were at your last school. But if you want to build something here... it needs to be earned. Not favour gained."

I swallowed hard. She was speaking about my mates.

"Understood."

As I stepped into the hallway, I could feel the tension and the weight of everything on my shoulders—an exam that didn't just test my knowledge but my name, my worth, and everything I was trying to rebuild.

This wasn't just about proving myself anymore. It was about reclaiming everything they tried to take from me.

'It was an opportunity Rose never gave me and I planned to utilize it well.'

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

~Serissa's POV~

Silken gowns rustled behind me as Stella moved around the room, carefully folding the last of my garments into the travel case.

The scent of rose oil and apple filled the air, and I sat perched at the edge of my vanity, watching her movements with the lazy attention of someone used to being served.

It was time to return to school. The very thought left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn't mind the structure—rules could be bent, teachers swayed—but the stench of familiarity, of Spring Kaine's rising popularity, made my skin crawl.

"Stella," I said coolly, running a brush through my freshly curled hair, "is the car ready?"

"Yes, my lady. Everything is set." She bowed her head slightly. "We'll be ready to leave once you give the word."

"Okay."

Just as I rose, a knock sounded on the chamber door, followed by a voice.

"Concubine Jade is approaching."

Stella stiffened by my side. I straightened my posture instinctively, and when the door opened, I saw my mother draped in imperial purple, her dark makeup sharp enough to cut glass with a crown of jewels woven into her hair.

She looked like royalty. She was royalty, just not a Queen.

And she moved like a shadow in control of all the light in the room.

"Mother," I said, bowing my head ever so slightly.

Her gaze swept over me, assessing. She said nothing for a breath or two before finally speaking. "You look presentable."

"Thank you," I said flatly.

She stepped forward, her heels clicking against the floor. "I have done some research… on your future husband."

At that, my breath caught subtly.

"Storm Draven is… proving less than compliant," she continued. "He hasn't accepted the betrothal with open arms. In fact, he seems to have someone else in mind."

I didn't speak. Of course, Mum would know about Spring. She had many more connections built into this kingdom and its systems that she couldn't be unaware of.

"So," she said, narrowing her eyes, "you must make sure your father did not make a mistake choosing him for you. You must secure his loyalty and love."

"Even if it means…" I started, hesitant.

Her lips curled into a sharp smile. "Use whatever means you must, Serissa. Charm him. Manipulate him. Make him see there is no life without you. If he cannot be broken, he must be bent."