Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 41: The Rules: Another Challenge

Chapter 41: The Rules: Another Challenge

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Chapter 41

~Spring’s POV~

Madelyn was still on her knees, trembling as the room stared her down like she was prey beneath a spotlight.

When the Vice President, Lilith, stepped aside and motioned to Eva with an icy flick of her fingers, a single, bone-chilling order followed:

"Sit on her back."

Gasps echoed louder than the crack of a whip. No one expected the outcome of Madelyn’s loss, aside her humiliation to go like this.

Eva blinked. "What...?"

Lilith’s voice didn’t waver. "It’s part of the humiliation clause. If a challenger declares intent to demean another student through similar imagery, the punishment may be mirrored."

Everyone turned slowly toward Madelyn, whose head dropped in shame as the memory of her threat echoed.

"Yeah, and that place would be me placing my legs over your head, I promise you." Madelyn spat bitterly.

I flinched for a moment brows lifted slightly as I turned toward the Student Council Vice-President.

Why is she supporting me?

Before I could ask, the Student Council’s Vice President’s voice sliced through my thoughts sharply, laced with disdain.

"Make no mistake, Spring Kaine," the Vice President said, eyes glinting. "I have no interest in supporting you. I just hate anyone who makes me look bad."

She turned toward Eva without waiting for a response and flicked her hand dismissively.

"Do it."

Eva’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Her wide eyes darted between Madelyn—still on her knees, head bowed—and the Vice President.

"I... okay."

Madelyn lifted her tear-soaked face, her lips trembling. "I’m sorry... for everything. Eva, I’m sorry."

The apology was barely audible, but it counted.

Lilith turned back to Eva, voice sharper now, laced with saccharine sweetness. "Go on."

Eva looked at me. Her skin had turned pale and shaking. Her eyes pleaded, ’Don’t make me do this.’

I stepped forward. "Call it off. That’s enough."

But Lilith didn’t budge. "No. She will obey. The rules were made clear."

Eva shook her head, not wanting to clearly get me into trouble, whereas I had put her in a tough spot instead.

Eva stepped forward slowly—hesitantly—and Madelyn didn’t even resist. Her shoulders twitched, her body bowed lower, broken and waiting for Eva to humiliate her even more.

It took like forever before Eva finally got the courage to sit down on Madelyn’s back. But as soon as she did, she stood up.

And then, Lilith said it, "Put your foot on her head."

The crowd gasped again as murmurings ensued. Eva froze like she had been touched by the Snow Queen as her lip trembled.

She glanced at me, hoping for support, then at Chloe and Nari, who haven’t said a word since the games began.

I stepped forward instinctively—anger like fire behind my ribs. "Don’t."

Lilith’s expression hardened. "This is not your choice. She has to do it." She turned to face Eva and commanded, "Do it."

Eva tried to step back—but Lilith’s aura cracked like a whip with an oppressive weight that made some students stumble.

I’d had enough.

Without a word, I slammed my shoulder into Lilith’s as I passed her and yanked Eva off Madelyn’s back.

"I’m sorry, Eva for putting you in a tough spot." Eva nodded softly but when I felt glares at my back, I turned to face her. "She’s not your puppet," I spat as I held Eva;s hands ready to lead her away.

No sooner had I done that than the Vice President’s voice rang out. "No one disobeys my rules."

Her eyes flashed red. But I wasn’t scared. I smirked and faced her.

"If you were listening or paying any attention, Lilith, you would have heard me clearly and let my words sink in. I, Spring Kaine, cannot be controlled."

Her name left my lips like a slap, and the room fell into silence. Everyone was stunned aside from me.

A girl near the front whispered, "Did she just—call her by her name?"

Another gasped, "She broke the unspoken rule... she said the Vice President’s name."

Lilith blinked, stunned—then her entire face twisted with restrained fury.

"Ignorance of school law is no excuse," she hissed, stepping closer.

"I don’t see any school law that makes you the goddess of morality," I shot back, "But sure, Lilith. Enlighten me."

"Enough!" she snapped and I scoffed at how a little brat was speaking to me when, in my time and days, she wouldn’t dare lift her eyes.

"By invoking my name, you’ve initiated a challenge."

The words dropped like a blade, slicing the breath out of the room.

A few gasps echoed behind me, and for a second I thought they were being dramatic, but I didn’t flinch. Instead, I laughed—lightly, deliberately, like I hadn’t just been tossed into the lion’s mouth.

"Um... sorry," I said, cocking my head, eyes narrowing slightly. "If you’re that eager to participate, why not challenge someone willingly?"

I glanced around the circle of students. Every face was taut and pale, some with wide eyes, others with lips sealed so tight I could practically hear the tension vibrating off their skin.

Fear washed over their features but not of me... It was of her—Lilith.

She smiled slowly. "As I have said, calling my name alone is a challenge, Spring. And I, Lilith Astor, accept your challenge."

The way she said it made my bones itch. Her voice held no bravado. Just cold finality.

I should’ve known she’d twist something as simple as a name into a noose.

As she spoke, her gaze flicked to the upper left corner of the room—toward one of the silent CCTV cameras embedded into the dark wall paneling. It blinked once, red, like a recording light.

My gut twisted.

Who the hell was on the other end of that feed?

"No," I said sharply, stepping away. "Let’s go, Eva."

I grabbed Eva’s wrist and turned, ready to leave this whole power show behind. The games. The Council. Lilith’s smugness.

But of course, she wasn’t finished.

"If you participate," she called, her voice cutting through the air like ice, "you will be allowed to shift the master role to Eva and have her do as she pleases, without my interference."

I froze. And with my back still turned, I asked, "And if I don’t?"

"Then you’re stuck with the role," she said, "and I shall personally supervise what you make Madelyn do."