Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 35: Let The Games Begin

Chapter 35: Let The Games Begin

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Chapter 35

~Author’s POV~

In one of the highest floors of Noxshade Academy, tucked behind a hidden wall panel, the Student Council Room buzzed with tension.

It was sleek, with glass panels, a thick oak desk, velvet seats in a circle, and chandeliers.

The sigil of the academy, etched into the table’s surface, pulsed faintly with magic that only high-ranking students were allowed to touch.

Storm Draven sat at the head of the table, back straight, arms folded behind his chair. The President’s seat. A position he never asked for, but one no one dared challenge.

To his right, Jace Raith lounged with a casual sprawl, spinning a silver coin between his fingers. His Student Council badge flashed gold—Head of Discipline.

Across from him sat Kael Kaiden, his legs crossed with precision, his eyes hidden behind tinted glasses. His role was carved into the brass plaque on his seat: Chief of Council Intelligence.

And finally, Tyrion Levir sat nearest the window, the soft moonlight casting silver into his hair. Before him was a plaque reading, Student Council Secretary.

A spot sat empty near Storm—the Vice President’s.

Storm hadn’t said a word yet, but the atmosphere had already thickened. Until finally, Kael leaned forward.

"So no one is going to say anything about it? Spring... She’s been challenged."

Storm didn’t look up.

Jace scoffed. "You think we don’t know that Savage Sly, the Underground’s devil, challenged Spring—our mate? We do?"

"And what are you saying about it? Let her be played and ridiculed? She had already been bullied in the past."

Ever composed, Tyrion looked toward Storm. "Are we going to intervene?"

"She can’t back out now," Kael said. "Not without looking weak."

"She shouldn’t even be in it," Jace muttered. "She’s not like us; she wasn’t raised to expect this kind of sabotage. She only became a werewolf in what... not up to a week?"

"She was raised to survive," Storm replied, which made everyone turn to look at him.

"Excuse me?" Tyrion voiced.

"You of all people should be fighting to get her off. You know our kind don’t play fair, and she is not used to the brutality," Kael enunciated, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Jace raised a brow. "You want her to get humiliated? Just to prove a point?"

"No," Storm said flatly as he leaned back, his mind drifiting off.

**Flashback**

He had just stepped into the council room when his phone buzzed once and then again.

Storm barely glanced at it at first, expecting some routine council update or a meaningless bet notification.

Until he saw the name flashing on screen.

Spring Kaine.

And just beneath it...

Opponent: Madelyn Pierce.

His jaw tightened. "Shit."

He pushed away from the table, chair legs scraping against the marble flooring. The others in the council chamber looked up—Jace raised a brow, Kael paused mid-scroll—but Storm was already out the door.

Hallway. South wing. Class 2B.

He got there just as the bell rang. Students poured out, chatting and laughing, scattering to lunch and electives.

He waited by the door, arms folded, like a storm cloud anchored to the wall until she stepped out.

With her textbook in one arm, calm stride and focused expression, she looked straight ahead, until she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Spring."

She slowed as did a few other students. Spring exhaled as she turned to look at Storm.

"Hey," Storm greeted as he closed the gap between them.

"Let me guess," she said, voice cool and sure. "You’re here to tell me to withdraw. To stay out of the game."

Storm parted his lips—she was right. That was exactly why he’d come.

But she kept going.

"I appreciate the concern, Alpha," she added. "But no."

"Spring you do not know how dan..."

"Dangerous it can be?" she finished for him and Storm exhaled. "Maybe, but I won’t back down either."

Without waiting for him to say anything, she walked off like it was nothing.

Storm didn’t move or call her back. He just stood there, staring at the place where she’d been a moment ago.

**Flashback Ends**

"Leave her alone." Storm’s jaw tightened at the memory. Then he looked at the others. "She knew. And she still chose to fight. So no—we don’t interfere."

"Damn it, Storm—" Jace began, but he stopped at the sound of approaching footsteps—measured and unhurried heels.

Everyone turned as the door opened as a girl walked in, her presence as chilling as it was commanding.

Long black curls swept over one shoulder, crimson lips. Midnight eyes rimmed in dark kohl. She wore the Vice President badge like a weapon, tilted on the collar of her blazer. She walked with effortless authority.

Lilith Astor. Famously known as the Student Council Vice-President or L.A.

No one ever called her by her full name unless they wanted a problem.

"Am I interrupting your little pow-wow?" she asked, voice smooth as aged wine.

They didn’t answer.

Lilith’s gaze swept over them, like a predator surveying lesser wolves.

"What is this? A war table over a girl?" She smirked. "Or should I say—your precious little mate?"

Jace’s eyes narrowed. "Lilith—"

She clicked her tongue and waved a gloved hand. "Tsk. Boys. Relax." Everyone’s gaze darkened. "Don’t tell me you plan on removing her from the games?"

They did not say anything but that silence spoek a thousand words.

"Because if you are... then I am afraid you cannot. I won’t allow it."

"Lilith, Spring is...."

"Is the one of the biggest side betting stakes I have gotten and I bet she’ll make things interesting, lose or fail," she cut in, interrupting Tyrion.

She turned and perched herself on the edge of the table. "Since you’re all so concerned, allow me to offer a solution. As the Council Head of Games and Wagering, I hereby suggest something new."

She smiled, eyes gleaming as their ears perked and attention remained strained on her.

"To make things interesting—and protect your little pride—you’ll all participate in this year’s Underground Games."

A moment of silence passed as though they were processing what she said before the outburst.

"What?" Jace said, sitting up.

"No," Tyrion said calmly, but firmly.

"That doesn’t even make sense—" Kael added.

Lilith just leaned back, rolling her wrist like she was already bored of their protests.

"You want to protect her? Good. Earn the right to do it. Fight. Bleed. Prove she belongs here by winning beside her."

The room trembled with raw, silent tension as Storm rose.

His shadow spilt across the floor like a second creature. Taller than her. Colder than her smirk.

Still, Lilith met his eyes, flinching just a little.

His aura pressed down lightly—a reminder of who still ruled the school.

"Then it’s a deal, Lilith."

He didn’t blink.

Lilith’s smile faltered just enough to show she hadn’t expected that. She had expected him, of all people to put up a fight against her suggestion, but he accepted without struggle.

Her eyes narrowed, wondering what was going on in his head, but no matter how she thought about it, the answer remained the same—she got nothing.

So instead, she accepted his challenge.

"...Perfect," Lilith purred after a beat. "Let the games begin, Alphas."

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