Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 40: The Games: Exposed 2

Chapter 40: The Games: Exposed 2

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Chapter 40

~Spring’s POV~

Gasps erupted. Whispers flew like wasps through the air. "But it isn’t a lie, Madelyn and you know it."

Madelyn bit her lower lip as Liana backed away from her slightly, betrayal written on her face.

Madelyn looked at me like I had stabbed her in the heart.

I smiled, picked one of the cups, but paused when Madelyn’s voice rang out.

"She’s cheating. She... she must be."

Fourth round.

I picked my card, and Zoey read out, "What’s the cruelest thing anyone’s ever said to you?"

For a second, I hesitated.

Then... I spoke.

"That I should’ve died with my real parents and that no one wanted me."

The room stilled. I didn’t need anyone’s sympathy. I didn’t want it. But I wanted that truth out there.

Zoey’s voice came soft. "Truth."

Madelyn was next. Her hands were shaking now.

She drew a card and placed it on the table, waiting for Zoey to read her fate.

Zoey didn’t look up as she read it: "If you could erase one person from this school, who would it be and why?"

"Spring," Madelyn said automatically. Her voice cracked. "Because she stole everything. She walks around like she’s better. She’s not. She’s just a freak who got lucky."

Zoey paused. "Truth," she confirmed again.

I raised an eyebrow. "Keep talking, Mads. I’m sure this is doing wonders for your rep."

Madelyn stared at me, trembling. The serum was fraying her nerves. Her edges were unraveling. Her mask—shattered.

Zoey cleared her throat. "Fifth round. Drink up, girls."

We did and although mine tasted the same as the last three cups I noticed the brief change in Madelyn’s countenance.

She squeezed her eyes shut, then blinked several times, only for her gaze to lock in on my smile.

Bingo... she had done it.

"Okay, shall we proceed?" Zoey asked after Madelyn set her cup down.

I didn’t even look. I took the card, flipped it, and handed it over.

"What do you want most in the world?"

It felt like the heavens were on my side... not that it mattered, I was prepared to answer whatever questions were thrown at me truthfully.

"To never be controlled again," I said. "Not by fate, male gender, or titles."

Zoey didn’t even need to confirm. The crowd whispered in quiet awe before she nodded and added, "Truth."

Madelyn’s turn came up instantly.

She grabbed her card like it might save her and handed it to Zoey.

Taking it from her, Zoey shook her head as she read, "What’s your biggest secret?"

I leaned forward. The crowd leaned in with me.

Madelyn opened her mouth, then she forcefully shut it. I saw how she fidgeted as the serum was making her want to spill.

"Madelyn..." Zoey’s voice drawled. "What is your biggest secret?"

Madeltn shook her head; her mouth opened. "My biggest secret is..."’

Her eyes glistened with tears as if to beg; her eyes glanced at Zoe and where she kept the bottle of pills, but no matter how much she looked, it was obvious she wouldn’t be getting them.

"What is your biggest secret?" Zoey asked again.

My eyes caught sight of the Student Council Vice-President, watching the way something akin to disappointment and anger flashed in her eyes—and before we knew it, Madelyn burst into tears.

"I’m not the heir to my house."

Everyone froze.

"What?"

"I—my dad... my dad found out I... my real mother, the maid, forged the lineage mark. I’m not the heir anymore. I lied. I’m a fake. I’ve been faking for years."

A silence hit the room like a hammer as everyone watched in shock. The spectators stopped breathing.

Liana whispered, "Madelyn...?"

Madelyn’s face collapsed in horror. Her hands flew to her mouth.

The game was over. She couldn’t even pretend to recover. Her deepest truth had just detonated in front of the whole school.

And without saying anything, she stood up, ready to run off, her face drenched in tears, when Zoey’s voice rang out.

"Game complete," Zoey announced.

But no one needed her to declare a winner.

It was obvious. I stood slowly, brushing imaginary dust from my skirt, and stepped toward Madelyn.

She shrank back.

I didn’t touch her. I didn’t need to.

I just leaned in close and whispered, "Now we’re even."

Then I turned, the crowd parting around me like water, and walked away—head high, eyes forward, power humming in every step.

From behind me, Jade whispered in my mind, smug and satisfied.

"That... was justice."

However, before I crossed the door, a sharp, cold, domineering voice rang out, making me halt in my steps.

"Game not complete without activating the reward, rules and punishment of the game."

I half turned to see the Student Council Vice-President walking down the stairs to the table where we were.

She lifted her eyes, looking down at Madelyn like she was beneath her and right now, she was.

With tears still streaming down her cheeks, Madelyn fell on her knees and lowered her head.

"According to the rules invoked from three years back, Madelyn Pierce lost this game against Spring Kaine."

Silence fell across the students as the Vice President continued.

"Based on the rules of the game, Spring Kaine is the winner, and Madelyn, as the loser, shall become her house pet for the month, to do as she pleases."

Several gasps followed, but no one dared to make their voices loud.

I stepped forward towards the table and looked at the Vice President in her eyes. "I’m sorry, but I do not care for the rules. All I care about is that Madelyn kneels and apologise to Eva Black."

Several heads snapped to the side where Eva stood, shocked that I actually meant my words and still intended to carry it out.

"No."

"Then I am afraid I do not want her."

I turned swiftly, ready to leave, when the Student Council Vice President called out. "Rules are rules. All students must obey them when they accept a challenge. Isn’t that right, house pet Madelyn?"

Madelyn lifted her head a bit, nodded, and lowered her gaze.

"Fine then, but first she must kneel and apologize to Eva."

"She will. After all, every command you give her from this point onward, she must obey, as well as every duty of a servant."

My smile broadened. "Good. I command you to kneel and apologize to Eva for bullying her. And from this moment on, Eva Black is your master, and you are to obey her every command."

"What?" Madelyn hollered in disgust, but before she could say more, a terrifying aura spread out from the Vice President, freezing her and most of the students in place. "Y-yes, master."