Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 28: New Friends

Chapter 28: New Friends

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Chapter 28

~Spring’s POV~

Morning arrived too fast. Like always, Eryx volunteered to drop me off—probably because the others were still preoccupied with Rose’s surprise hospital visit, and couldn’t fight him for it.

We didn’t talk much during the drive. He mostly filled the silence by setting a time to go over some "cyberworld basics" with me after school.

He called it "training."

I called it... a welcome distraction.

Still, I kept my eyes peeled as we neared campus, memorising all the likely entrances my Alpha "soul-mates" might use. I didn’t need a fifth round of chaos this morning.

Worse, I couldn’t afford for Eryx to find out about me and my mates.

For once, I was thankful to be repeating sophomore year. They weren’t in any of my classes. That meant I could disappear into the noise, mostly.

Except, of course, for Lucien. Because fate clearly hated me.

I bid Eryx goodbye before alighting from the car. Just as I arrived inside the school building...

"Spring!"

I flinched. The voice sounded familiar, but I wasn’t sure until I picked up on her scent.

"Eva," Jade, so kind, informed me.

I picked up my pace.

I heard her footstep scurry up beside me like a puppy, slightly out of breath but determined. I quickened my pace a bit seeing as she wasn’t letting me escape.

"I... I wanted to thank you again. For yesterday. You really didn’t have to—"

"I know," I said flatly, not slowing down.

She blinked at my tone, but kept walking beside me. "Oh. Um—here." She offered a bottle of juice, the label still cold.

"No thanks," I said, sidestepping her hand. "I don’t take random drinks."

"I’m sorry. I just..."

"Wanted to do something nice?" She nodded like a pet dog. "No need. I did not save you from her just to have you do this."

"I get that," she said softly. "Okay. Maybe next time?"

I didn’t answer. But she smiled anyway.

I was happy to have escaped he that morning and escape my mates but I ran out fo luck during lunch.

I sat alone near the back corner of the cafeteria. I liked this spot—dim, quiet. Just the way I liked most things lately.

But then... she returned.

Not with juice this time, but with a tray of cafeteria food—stacked high with honey-glazed chicken, rice, sautéed greens, and a small chocolate tart on the side.

I frowned at her.

She set the tray down in front of me without saying a word but ehr smiles screamed her intention.

Still, I was sceptical. I leaned in slightly, checked and actually sniffed it. There was nothing out of the ordinary or tampered with.

Call me sceptical but after losing your life by trusting the man you loved and having a bitch of a sister, would make you wiser.

It smelled safe, just... food.

My stomach growled at the worst possible time when I had planned on rejecting her offer. I pressed my lips into a thin line. I had waited to get food in the cafeteria because of the cue and now what...?

"Eat it," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "You probably didn’t eat much yesterday."

"Oh, I did eat. It was my birthday."

"Just probably not enough," she beamed with a smile.

I hesitated. Then picked up a fork, took a slow bite, then another.

It was sweet. I looked up. Eva’s eyes were hopeful. "So... friends?"

I chewed slowly. Shrugged. "As you wish. However, I’m not really built for social interactions. I am a..."

"A loner?" she asked, finishing for me.

I nodded. "Loyal to a fault, lethal when provoked. Not really friendship material."

"With me, you won’t be lonely. I may not be tough like you, but I have brains. I know things. Maybe I can help."

I shook my head. "Stop trying too hard, pumpkin. Just breathe. Relax and enjoy your food."

She grinned like I’d handed her a crown as she took a seat opposite me.

A few minutes later, another voice cut in. "Excuse me."

I looked up to see a girl with lovely doe-eyes and nervous fingers clutching a tray. She had short, dark hair, a soft smile, and a faint shimmer to her presence.

"Hi, I’m Cleo. A second-year student like you."

But in my head, all I heard was Jade’s assessment. "A witch-in-training."

"I saw what you did yesterday. With Eva," she said, standing a little taller, her eyes flickering towards Eva and then back to me. "I like people who stand up for others. I think you’re kind of awesome. Can we sit?"

I tilted my head. "We?"

Cleo gestured behind her.

A girl with braids and a rune-glowing bracelet waved. "I’m Nari," she called. "Don’t mind me—I’m just a disaster with a wand and a passion for potion explosions."

I blinked.

"Please?" Cleo asked again.

I gestured to the empty seats. "Suit yourself."

The girls joined us. "I’d like to become your friend," Cloe announced.

For the love of God!

"It’s not like I am handing out friendship flyers," I stated.

"Yes, but you accepted Eva. Why won’t you accept mine, I mean, us?"

Before I could speak, Eva cut in. "Because I am her friend and she saved me."

I glanced at Eva. She smiled like the word famous actor just bestowed her a gift. But when my frown did not change, she dimmed her smile a little and added, "Sorry."

Cloe pouted, clearly trying to beat Eva at being cute.

My shoulders sagged in defeat. For now, there was no harm in having them as acquaintances until I am sure hey were trust worthy enough. Besides, I needed those to help me navigate and understand this world.

"Fine, friends."

"Yes!" Cloe half squealed and before I knew it, the table was filled with chatter.

Nari told a ridiculous story about a self-stirring cauldron that exploded mid-class and coated their professor in sleep serum. Eva chimed in with awkward giggles. Cleo, calm and composed, added clever one-liners.

And me?

I laughed, actually laughed a little.

For a brief moment, everything felt... human again. Not like a girl reborn under a curse or bonded to five strangers. Just a student, having lunch like I used to in my past life with my best friend, Pearl.