Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 36: Defending Rose

Chapter 36: Defending Rose

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Chapter 36

~Spring’s POV~

The house was quiet when I walked in.

Not silent. Just... padded. Like the kind of quiet that wasn’t natural, but placed there.

As soon as I dropped my bag by the console, I saw it—the wheelchair. Cream leather, gold-plated handles. Expensive and new.

Arranged, more for show than actual purpose.

And there she was.

Rose, lounging like a queen draped in hospital-grade theatrics, her legs covered with a cashmere throw, an IV bandage still visible on her wrist as she watched some overproduced drama on the holo-screen.

Our mother sat beside her, delicately lifting spoonfuls of soup to her lips as if she were nursing an infant bird.

The second I stepped into the room, the air shifted. I straightened.

"Good evening, Mum," I greeted, keeping my voice neutral. My eyes flicked toward the living room. "Rose."

Her gaze met mine and softened just enough for the performance. "Hey, Spring."

I was already turning to leave when our mother’s voice followed sharply.

"You didn’t check on your sister."

I stopped, half a step from the stairs.

"You didn’t call, you didn’t visit the hospital, you didn’t even ask how she was doing," she added, rising slightly from her seat.

Rose interjected sweetly, "Mum, it’s fine. She must have been really busy—"

"Don’t be ridiculous," Mum snapped. "Everyone else made time. Rhys, Kaius, even Eryx, despite his schedule. And yet you—nothing?"

I turned slowly, lips curling in a polite smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

"I’m sorry, Mum," I said, tilting my head. "I truly didn’t know that spending time in the library studying, trying to earn good grades and not disgrace the Kaine name... is now considered less important than someone’s reaction to a stolen gift."

Mum blinked and Rose flinched.

Bingo.

I looked at her—really looked.

"Hey, Rose," I said casually, my smile soft but sharp enough to slit throats. "How’s the face? Must’ve taken quite the hit."

She blinked too fast.

"I mean," I continued, placing a finger thoughtfully on my chin, "who would’ve guessed the very gift you swiped for your little trick would end up tricking you instead?"

"Spring—" Mum started.

I held up a hand. "I’m not feeling too well, Mum. I think I’ll head up. Stress does awful things to me, you know."

I turned before either of them could speak again, my shoes clicking lightly on the marble stairs.

Behind me, I could hear the television resume and my mother scolding Rose softly about "staying hydrated." Typical.

I knew Mum would get irritated by my words, but I also wanted to provoke a reaction from you-know-who.

I changed into my hoodie and leggings, pulled my hair into a loose bun, and opened my window to let the late afternoon breeze in.

Minutes passed.

Then came the soft whirr of wheels as the elevator brought Rose up.

I heard the faint shuffle of movement, the hush of whispered orders from the maid... and then silence.

Until the door to my room creaked open.

My jaw tightened, but I didn’t turn.

Not yet.

"Wow," I said coolly. "You didn’t even knock this time."

The door creaked wider—and there she was.

But her surprise was evident.

Because I wasn’t seated at my desk or lounging on the bed like she expected.

I was behind the door, waiting.

Her eyes widened when she realised it.

"Looking to cause more trouble?" I asked, calmly, voice low and even.

Rose froze, hand still resting on the doorknob. She didn’t answer because she couldn’t.

But that was fine because, for once, I had all the words, and she had none.

Her fingers tightened around the doorknob like she had something to say—something big, dramatic or cruel.

As kind as I was, I let her, because I knew her schemes had no end, and I already knew what it would be.

"You think I don’t know?" she hissed, stepping further into the room. "That powder? You did that to me."

I crossed my arms, leaning my shoulder against the wall. "Mm. You sure you want to accuse me of something you planned?"

Her jaw clenched, but her eyes lit up with venom. "I don’t care what you think you’ve got now. The attention, the fake nobility. All of it’s temporary. I’ll make sure of it."

I tilted my head, as calm as ever. "You’re not tired yet? All this effort to make me look bad... It’s exhausting, isn’t it?"

She smiled, a bitter, triumphant twist of her lips. "Tired?" Her voice dropped as she stepped forward. "Spring, I’ve only just started."

That was when I stood up straight, all humour draining from my smile.

"Why?" I asked, keeping my voice low. "What did I ever do to you? I never touched what was yours."

She stepped in close, trying to tower over me. It would’ve been laughable if it weren’t so pathetic.

"You existed," she spat.

My eyes narrowed.

"You existed in my place," she continued, breathing hard now. "While I was scraping by in some foster home, you were in silk. With my family. My house. My father. You took everything. And now you’re even taking the damn spotlight. If you won’t just die, Spring... then I’ll make sure every second of your life hurts."

The words were knives. But not the kind that pierced.

No, they were dull and desperate.

Still, my lips curled in that dangerous smile that left my enemies troubled, and Rose’s smile faltered.

"What?" she snapped.

I stepped forward and let the faintest trickle of my alpha aura slip through to exert pressure on my surrounding.

Rose froze.

Not visibly—but I saw it. The way her knees stiffened. The way her breath caught. Confusion flickered in her eyes like a glitch she didn’t understand.

"Try it, Rose," I murmured. "Keep trying. Because so far? I’m really enjoying watching your little plans crumble in your face."

Her face twisted in rage, and before I knew it, she shoved me hard, but I didn’t move or fall like she expected. I didn’t flinch or even blink.

Her eyes widened in disbelief briefly. When it didn’t work, she smirked, and then she dropped flat to the ground dramatically.

"AHHHHH!" Rose screamed, clutching her arm like I’d broken it.

I didn’t even bother. Just arched a brow, shook my head, stepped backwards into my room

"Pathetic," I muttered, then shut the door behind me and locked it.

I got into bed, picked up my laptop and turned it on... And right on cue, I heard the hurried footsteps from down the hallway—a sharp gasp echoed, followed by Rose’s wet, practised sobs.

And then our mother’s voice rang out. "What happened?"

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.

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