Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas

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

~Spring's POV~

I nodded politely. "Thank you."

Shouldering my bag, I turned and walked out of the room.

It wasn't until the door closed behind me that I exhaled properly for the first time.

My steps were measured as I walked down the hallway again, and only when I passed an empty stairwell did I stop for a second, leaning against the cool wall.

My hands shook just a little from the rush of everything.

I did it. I actually did it.

They could call it a fluke. They could question the results. But the fact remained—I finished the most grueling exam they could throw at me. And I didn't just survive. I faced it head-on.

Back in class, things had settled into the usual rhythm—whispers, texts, and long glances that said more than anyone would speak aloud.

I didn't care.

I pulled out my books and quietly reviewed the notes Storm had highlighted the night before. I had a few hours to kill before the verdict arrived.

And I needed to prepare before their unbelieving asses yanked me with some extra questions.

Just before the lunch bell rang, I got another ping on my phone.

This time from the group chat.

Storm: Did it go well?

Tyrion: Is the school still standing or did you demolish their egos?

Jace: Don't leave us hanging, gorgeous.

Kael: Or at least tell us who fainted from shock first.

I chuckled softly and typed.

Me: Let's just say… I started a small academic earthquake.

Kael: That's my girl.

I tucked the phone away, my fingers brushing over the surface a second longer than necessary. Now I just had to wait.

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

When the lunch bell rang signalling the end of the final class, it was like a siren of temporary freedom.

I exhaled, stretching my arms as the rest of the students scrambled for their bags and snacks.

Some were already halfway to the door, buzzing with plans for the break.

I remained seated. I hadn't moved yet. I was still staring at my notebook, the last words Storm had highlighted echoing in my head like a mantra.

"Focus isn't about silence. It's about knowing what to listen to."

I didn't realise how deeply I was zoned out until someone leaned over my desk and whispered, "Psst."

I blinked up to see Chloe.

Her blonde curls bounced as she flopped down into the empty seat beside mine with a mischievous grin that made her look like she knew something the rest of the world hadn't caught on to yet.

"Well, well, well," she drawled dramatically, folding her arms on my desk like we were about to swap secrets.

"Hey, Chloe."

"I heard…" she drawled.

"You heard?" I asked, arching a brow at her.

"Well, a little birdie told me you were going to prove your assessment test scores."

"I didn't know that had become the latest rumour."

"Well, I didn't know word had been going around that it was true until now."

"Okay…?" I tilted my head, giving her the go-ahead to talk.

Apparently, Chloe overheard someone mention the test that was being held and decided to check in on me.

"So that's why you vanished yesterday," she added, leaning her upper body close from where she sat on my desk.

I chuckled lightly, grateful for the breath of normal she brought with her. "I had to prove something."

She tilted her head. "Prove what? That you can single-handedly break the education system's IQ ceiling?"

I gave her a tired smile. "That I'm not a cheat."

She paused, eyes searching mine. "You never had to prove that to me, Spring."

"I know," I said, my voice softer now. "But it matters. The school… the principal… my name. It matters that I clear it."

Chloe reached out and gave my arm a light squeeze. "Anyone comes after you again, I'm drop-kicking them in the hall. Just say the word."

That pulled a genuine laugh out of me. "You're so violent for someone who wears pink scrunchies."

"Exactly. No one suspects the scrunchie-wearer."

Before I could respond, the intercom system crackled overhead, and a familiar voice came through, loud and clear.

"Spring Kaine, please report to the Staff Meeting Room immediately. I repeat, Spring Kaine to the Staff Meeting Room."

My breath caught just for a second.

"Well, that's my cue." I did not wait for Chloe's input and immediately stood and grabbed my bag.

Chloe stood too, making a show of saluting. "Go forth, Queen of A+'s. Conquer their judgmental little hearts."

I snorted. "See you later, baby."

"You better."

With that, I walked out the door, keeping my steps stable even though my stomach flipped with every corridor I passed.

The last time I walked this path, I felt like a defendant on trial. This time, I wasn't sure what I was—witness, accused, or prodigy?

But when I reached the door of the Staff Meeting Room and stepped inside, all the air in my lungs stalled.

They were all there again.

The professors. The principal. The same people who had watched me for an hour and a half with eyes that screamed prove it.

And this time… their stares were different.

Some were unreadable, still composed and skeptical, but others—especially the older man with the crescent scar on his brow—looked at me with something close to surprise or respect.

Principal Yelena stood at the head of the room, tall and confident in her tailored suit. She nodded at me once, motioning for me to step forward.

I did.

"You may take a seat, Miss Kaine," she said.

I sat in the same seat from before, trying not to fidget.

Professor Elyra stood and cleared her throat, handing a single sheet of paper to the principal, who took it with the kind of deliberateness that made my spine tighten.

Then Principal Yelena looked at me. And for the first time since this all began… she smiled.

"Out of one hundred and fifty questions," she said, her voice clear and direct, "Miss Kaine answered one hundred and forty-seven correctly."

There was a small stir among the professors. A few gasped. One or two even leaned in to double-check the score.

I blinked. 147

Only three missed?

My chest filled with air so quickly that I almost forgot how to breathe it out.

The professor with the sharp nose and navy suit frowned. "Are we certain the test wasn't compromised?"

"Compromised how?" Professor Elyra said, not even looking up. "We supervised the entire process."

Another professor, a woman with soft gray curls, turned to the doubter. "I watched her. Not once did she so much as glance anywhere else. And she finished the hardest comprehension question faster than I could've explained the prompt."

The skeptical professor's mouth twitched, but she didn't argue again.

"Regardless," Principal Yelena continued, folding the score sheet neatly and placing it on the table, "what cannot be denied is that Miss Kaine has demonstrated not only aptitude but excellence in areas across all subjects—including werewolf history, which she has never formally studied at this institution."

That brought a murmur of interest. One of the professors nodded slowly, murmuring, "Exceptional…"

"But," Yelena added, "we are not here merely to celebrate. We are here to correct."

She turned to the room at large.

"For two years, this student's record, even that from other schools, was muddied with accusations of fraud and cheating. And yet, we have seen no such behaviour here. There's no evidence, nor was there any hesitation in proving herself."

I breathed softly, taking this moment to look at everyone clearly in their faces.

"She's just some serious student who's been treated badly. What we have seen is a student who knew her material and her worth. Some of you may doubt her, but if you can doubt what you've seen with your eyes, then I doubt you are fit to be in this school. "

My throat burned, but I held my head high.

Principal Yelena turned back to me. "Even our school's best student got a 148 out of 150. She's the second top student as far as I am concerned, right now."

My head went spark at the thought.

"Miss Kaine. You are hereby reinstated into your rightful class, the senior year, effective immediately. Congratulations."

Something inside me broke open. But it wasn't pain. It was pride, real pride.

I stood and bowed slightly. "Thank you, ma'am."

She gave a curt nod. "You may return to class. Your new schedule will be prepared by the end of the day. And Professor Elysa will take you to your new class and introduce you to your new classmates."

"Thank you, ma'am." I turned toward the door, just catching the smile Professor Elyra tried to hide.

"She deserves a round of applause," my Geography Professor voiced suddenly and led the clap.

Soon most of the lecturers present did the same.

"We are proud to have her as a student," Professor Peace added. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." I dipped my head in respect to them.

Just before I finally left, I heard Professor Elysa ask the principal. "Ma'am, what arm is she to be put in so I can make the necessary arrangements?"

"The best. Put her in Class 3A."

Finally.

I pretended as though I couldn't hear them and walked out. I didn't need validation, but damn… it felt good.

147 out of 150.

As I stepped out into the hallway again, the students's noise filtered back into my ears, pulling me out of my thoughts, and so did those four distinct scents filling my nostrils.