Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 26: Birthday Promise

Chapter 26: Birthday Promise

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

Chapter 26

~Spring’s POV~

My father stepped closer, ruffling my hair like he used to when I was small. "Eighteen already. You’re almost taller than your mother."

"Not quite," I murmured with a small smile, even though I couldn’t quite meet his eyes.

Kaius cleared his throat subtly and gestured toward the cake on the table. "Before this wax starts dripping all over the frosting... We should cut the cake."

I smiled as we all moved toward it. The cake was simple but beautiful—white and soft lilac with gold lettering that spelt my name across the top.

Everyone gathered around. My mother and father flanked me on either side, and my brothers stood behind like a shield.

I closed my eyes, making a simple wish to the Moon Goddess to let me live a more peaceful life and blew out the candles.

Everyone clapped, even if it was just us in the room.

Because somewhere deep down, under the laughter and sugar and hugs, I was still unsure.

I was a werewolf now, but they didn’t know. How long could I keep the secret? And if they knew what would happen next?

Would my brother’s love still be the same? Would I be cast away once more? Could I still belong here... when everything about me had changed?

So many unanswered questions and I knew deep down, I needed to make plans for myself, to stand my ground just in case.

I smiled for the photos, nodded along to my parents’ questions, and accepted their gifts with soft thank-yous.

A few hours passed before everything began to wind down.

The laughter softened, the plates were cleared, and one by one, the weight of celebration gave way to the usual quietness of our home.

That was when Mum asked about Rose.

I was surprised they had forgotten her amidst the celebrations but from Spring’s memory, I realised it was common for her to sometimes spend the evening at a friend’s and call later or come back late.

Kaius had just handed me a gift bag when she glanced toward the hallway and asked, "Where’s Rose? She didn’t come down even for cake or is she at a friend’s?"

One of the staff answered before I could even try. "She was taken to the hospital, ma’am. Earlier this afternoon."

My fork paused mid-air and all movement in the room stopped.

"What?" Mum’s voice rose slightly. "Hospital?"

"She had a... reaction," the maid explained quickly. "Allergic. Something in her room. She called for the driver and left. The housekeeper said she was screaming—face swollen, rash on her skin..."

My lips pressed together as my thoughts raced back to the uniform I’d instructed to be left neatly on her bed. And the compact of powder I never touched.

Ah.

So that’s what happened.

A stifled laugh threatened to rise, but I forced it down, choosing instead to sip my juice quietly while chaos erupted.

"What do you mean by a reaction?" Mum asked again, now rising to her feet.

"She must have used something bad," one of the staff added. "A new lotion, maybe a chemical she wasn’t aware of."

Seeing Mum getting agitated, Rhys was already on the phone, asking the family doctor for updates, his expression tight. Kaius threw on his coat as Mum and Dad grabbed their keys, anxious to get to the hospital.

"I’ll drive Rhys so we can check on her," Kaius explained as Rhys pecked me lightly on my forehead.

"Happy birthday once more, pearl," Rhys whispered before they left.

Within minutes, the room emptied.

All except me... and Eryx.

He didn’t move. He just sat there, staring at the half-finished cake like it had personally offended him.

"You’re not going?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Eryx shrugged. "They’ve got it handled. Besides, not everyone can treat her and Rose doesn’t like me fussing over her anyway."

It was the truth—and somehow not.

Instead, he leaned back in his chair, fork still in hand, and pointed toward the cake. "You haven’t had your second slice yet. That’s the rule."

"I thought you made up that rule just now."

"I did. But you’re the birthday girl. Rules are allowed to be made on the spot."

I smiled, easing back in my seat.

Eryx cracked a joke or two, poked fun at how dramatic Rhys got when anything unexpected happened, and tried to lighten the mood.

He didn’t ask me about anything which was good until eventually, he got a call, glanced at the screen, and stood.

His voice softened. "Hello, angel. How are you?"

Ah, his girlfriend.

I offered a wave as he stepped out of the room, and took that as my cue.

I slipped upstairs, a slice of cake and juice in hand. Once I reached my room, I shut the door softly behind me. It was quiet again, finally, and something about that silence felt like a gift.

I placed the cake on the nightstand, peeled off my party clothes, and let the warmth of the shower wash everything away. The fake smiles, the uncertain glances, the lies I hadn’t even voiced yet.

When I came out, wrapped in comfortable clothes, I grabbed my phone and dropped onto my bed.

Then it buzzed.

Unknown Number:Hey love, I hope your birthday was eventful and not awkward?

My brows pulled together. I should’ve ignored it. I wanted to. But the moment I hesitated, the screen lit up again—this time with a call.

I answered before I could think too hard.

"Hello, love?"

I recognised that voice instantly. "S-Storm?" I asked.

His voice was warm, low, too smooth to sound casual. "Miss me?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "How did you get my number?"

"It wasn’t hard. Did you get my birthday message this morning?"

"That was you?"

"Yes. I’m pretty sure it came from this exact number."

I swallowed, then nodded—pointlessly, since he couldn’t see me.

"...You just nodded, didn’t you?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes. "I’m guessing that’s not why you called."

"No," he said, and there was a pause. "I called to check in on my mate."

My heart jumped in my chest.

I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him again that I wasn’t ready for any of this, but he cut me off.

"I know what you said," he continued. "But I didn’t agree. I won’t stay away, Spring. I’ll chase you, even if it takes years, because you’re mine. And I’ll make sure you know it."

Silence stretched between us as my grip tightened on the phone.

Storm didn’t ask for anything nor did he plead. He just... promised.

And before I could find words—any words—he added, "Goodnight, mate. Dream of me."