Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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~Lilith's POV~

My father was many things, and loving wasn't one of them, but one of those words stood out… Ruthless.

Anger had filled his eyes when he heard I lost a challenge, which resulted in my losing the Vice President's position.

He wasn't concerned with me dropping out and claimed that was the least punishment, since I had embarrassed the Astror name.

And had the Heirs not made me drop out, he would have, himself.

The walls of my father's villa were too quiet, too clean and too still.

Once, I had been the storm in these halls—the golden girl with sharp heels and a sharper tongue.

I used to come home late from Council meetings, toss my bag on the stairs, and smirk at the maids like I owned the ground they walked on.

Now?

Now they barely looked me in the eye, not after the revelation of who I truly was came to light.

And now, I was a fallen Alpha daughter. Useless. Humiliated. Shamed.

I leaned against the balcony railing, sipping my tea and watching the front gates through narrowed eyes.

The sun had just risen behind the western trees, painting the skies in molten gold. Everything felt too beautiful for what my life had become.

And then… the black car rolled in.

It was not one of ours.

I stiffened immediately, my fingers tightening around the cup.

A few moments later, a knock echoed through the sitting room. My father wouldn't answer. He wasn't home again.

Convenient.

The butler opened the door, muttered something low, and then footsteps echoed against the marble.

I turned as a familiar figure stepped into the room.

Purple outfit, dark lips. Regal posture like she'd stepped off the page of a magazine made for dangerous women.

Serissa.

Immediately, I stepped away from the balcony and hurried downstairs. Should my father hear I left Royalty waiting, it would not end well for me.

By the time I got to the living room, she was already inside and was offered a seat by our butler.

I greeted him and sat down opposite her. Once the rooms as clear, save for the two of us, I stared, arms folded across my chest. "Come to mock me?"

Serissa tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Not today."

My eyes narrowed. "Then why are you here? I don't recall inviting the royal pity parade."

She stood up and stepped further into the room, her heels clicking with every elegant step. She looked around slowly, absorbing the luxury with mild interest. "I came to make you a proposition."

I scoffed. "Really? And what makes you think I'd help you? The last time I aligned myself with someone powerful, I lost everything."

Serissa's gaze flicked to mine. "Because I am different from whoever you had as your backer. And we share the same enemy."

I went still.

Her words floated in the air between us like poison dipped in silk.

"Spring," I said bitterly, tasting the name like ash. "Of course."

Serissa smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Spring Kaine is a problem. And problems like her don't disappear because of rules or whispers."

"And you think I'm stupid enough to trust you?" I shot back. "You're the daughter of the King's mistress. Whatever you do, Princess is always in your best interest. So why should I trust you?"

"Believe what you want," she said, stepping closer. "But I've watched her rise. I've seen how she's seducing my future mate. How she's winning the Alphas, and even the Student Council."

"Your future mate?"

Serissa paused for effect. "Oh, you didn't know. Storm and I would get engaged."

"You're betrothed to Storm?" I asked slowly, surprised despite myself.

She nodded once. "And yet she has his attention. His loyalty. His hunger."

For a heartbeat, we were both silent—two women who had been pushed out of the spotlight by the same girl.

"Why now?" I asked finally. "Why come to me?"

"Because you're angry," Serissa said. "And when fury meets strategy, kingdoms fall. I have strategy and you my darling, you have motive."

"And what's in it for me?"

Serissa's lips curved slightly. "Redemption. Maybe more. You help me break her image, sever her support, and I'll help you take back your place."

I looked at her through narrowed eyes. I didn't trust her. I'd be stupid to.

But the fire that had been slowly burning inside me—the one that wanted to watch Spring Kaine fall from her little golden throne—flickered stronger.

"And how do you plan to do that?" I asked.

Her eyes sparkled. "Oh, I have plans."

I stood up and walked toward the bar by the side of the living room, picking up a bottle and gently placing it down before reaching for a cup.

"You'd better hope they're good. Because if I go down again, I'm taking everyone with me, including you."

Serissa didn't flinch. "Then let's make sure we're both standing… when she falls."

"Fine," I said. "I'm listening."

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~Storm's POV~

I knew I said I was going to chase her.

I still will. But after our eyes locked in her class today, something in me faltered.

I panicked.

What if she rejected me out of anger? What if I've already messed things up beyond repair?

We're talking about the Alpha King here—the most powerful werewolf alive. If Spring found out everything… if she hated me for it… I wouldn't blame her.

And I wouldn't survive it.

How do I protect her from everything and still keep her by my side? How do I navigate this impossible situation when every path seems to lead to disaster?

Regardless, I knew hiding wouldn't solve anything.

It was already lunch break, and I had to stop overthinking and act. I had skipped most of my classes today, sitting alone on the rooftop of one of the school buildings just to clear my head.

The height helped. The breeze was strong up here, the skies overcast and moody, just like my thoughts.

It was time to explain, so I could get it over with. I took out my phone and messaged her.

Me: Spring?

Me: Hey. How are you?

She replied quicker than I expected.

Spring: Storm, how are you?

Even seeing her name pop up on my screen made my heart race.

Me: I'm fine. Please, I need to talk to you. Where can we meet?

Spring: Right here.

I froze when I read that text, then slowly turned around, and there she was. Standing just a few feet away.

Her hair lifted gently in the breeze, her eyes fixed on me like she could see straight through all my defences.

"Spring," I breathed.

I was supposed to be the one chasing her. But she had found me.

"Storm," she said softly. Her voice was steady, but I saw the storm behind her eyes.

She looked more mature than I'd ever seen her. Stronger. Braver. And somehow even more beautiful than the first time we met.

"I'm sorry," I began, the words tumbling out. "I know how things have been between us the past few days and I—"

She lifted her hand, stopping me.

"I don't care," she said.

The pain that hit me then was instant and sharp. My chest tightened, but before I could say anything, she continued.

"I don't care what you had to do," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Though it hurt. What I do care about is the reason. Why, Storm?"

I saw pain in her eyes as she spoke.

"I thought we connected on a deeper level. I felt something I've never felt before, and then everything just... went cold. Did I make a mistake by letting you in? Was I right to have stayed away from you after all?"

She stepped closer. "Tell me. Make me understand. Because right now, I'm just…"

"Forgive me," I whispered, the words almost caught in my throat.

Her expression softened, but her eyes still searched mine, demanding truth.

I wanted to tell her everything. Gods, I wanted to tell her the real reason.

That I had been betrothed.

That the Alpha King had arranged it, that Princess Serissa was waiting. That my parents had expected me to follow through with the engagement like it was a royal duty carved in stone.

But how could I tell Spring that and expect her not to run?

If she ran… my wolf would lose it. And I—I wouldn't be able to take it.

So instead, I stepped forward and cupped her face gently, letting my thumb brush against her cheek.

"There's a lot going on… family stuff," I said carefully. "Things I wasn't prepared to deal with. But none of that has anything to do with how I feel about you."

Spring's brows furrowed.

'I've been scared," I admitted internally. "Scared that if you knew, you'd hate me. I was scared I wouldn't be strong enough to keep you safe. But the truth is, Spring…'

I exhaled shakily. "I love you."

Her lips parted slightly, her breath hitching.

"I'll fix this. I'll talk to my parents. I'll talk to the Alpha King himself if I have to. But I'm not letting you go, Spring Kaine. I just can't. I'm going to chase you irrespective."

I would find a way, even if it meant defying the Alpha King himself, because I would fight the world to keep her.

Without wasting another second, I moved forward, wrapped a hand around her waist, and kissed Spring.