Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 47: Memories

Chapter 47: Memories

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Chapter 47

~Spring’s POV~

School was eventful and all, but having to come back home and see Rose every day wasn’t something I looked forward to.

I had thought, more than once, of asking my parents or my brothers to let me become a boarding student in Noxshade, rather than a day student.

A fresh start, less tension at home and more in school. But I kicked against the idea. Now wasn’t the time.

If it had been back then, when they didn’t love me, when I was just a shadow in the corners of this house, then yeah, sure. They’d have happily sent me off, no second thoughts.

But now? Things were different. They cared. Or at least, they tried to. And Rose—ugh. Rose would try to act sweet and supportive to my parents, all while doing everything possible to keep me close... so she could make life miserable for me behind closed doors.

Rose will always be a rose, like the flower full of thorns. A name that promised beauty but always left scratches.

My shoulders slumped as I passed the kitchen. The maids were quietly at work, chopping, cleaning, and moving about. But when they noticed me, their movements slowed, eyes lifting with that all-too-familiar look.

Pity.

Every one of them bowed their heads slightly in respect and I offered them a small smile.

They must have thought I was prohibited from using the front entrance or something. But no—I just wanted to avoid trouble.

Especially her.

I reached for a bottle of cold water from the fridge, eager to escape, when the head maid’s voice stopped me mid-step.

"Young Miss."

I turned, a little startled. "Yes?"

She hurried over with a soft smile, holding out a bowl. "Here, some fruits to help your stomach and improve your health before lunch is served."

My lips pulled into a side smile. It was thoughtful. She didn’t have to.

"Thank you," I said, taking the bowl. It was filled with fresh apples, pomegranates, cherries, berries, and grapes—perfectly washed and glistening.

"Please enjoy, you always loved fruits before your lunch. It’s a shame you stopped before because Miss Rose claimed she wanted all the fruits for her friends."

I couldn’t help the soft scoff that escaped my lips. That bitch.

"You stopped requesting them after that."

"Aren’t you scared now she would react?" My gaze darted around and they all had the same angry expression.

"No. I’ll inform her that it got spoiled. She mostly wastes them anyway."

My smile brightened. "Sure. Good work, everyone," I added politely.

"Thank you, Miss," they chorused in unison.

That was my cue to leave.

Ever since my birthday, I hadn’t unwrapped a few of the gifts still sitting on my table. I’d been too tired from school and too emotionally drained.

Once home, I made a beeline for my room. I needed to freshen up. Maybe take a nap. Or journal. Anything to stay sane.

A small part of me still ached to see Eryx. To apologise for my tone the other day, for the words I’d said in anger—even if he’d earned every single one of them.

Still... two wrongs never made a right, that’s what my mum always taught me in my past life.

When I reached my door, I paused. My gaze flicked to the side, where Rose’s room was tucked neatly at the end of the hall.

Probably out. Or worse, playing sweet daughter in the parlour with mum, clinging to every fake laugh like it was real.

I rolled my eyes, inserted my keycard, and stepped inside my room without much thought. The moment the door shut behind me, I turned—then froze.

My heart leapt to my throat.

I stumbled back slightly, eyes going wide. A few grapes tumbled from the bowl I held, but I barely noticed.

Because there, lying peacefully on my bed, was Eryx.

Sleeping.

Curled up like a giant, overgrown cat, his chest rising and falling softly.

My instincts screamed trouble, trouble, but I couldn’t look away. Especially not when I saw what he was clutching.

A soft blue teddy bear. Not too big. Not too small. Just enough to fit comfortably in his arms.

I took a step closer, curiosity and confusion tugging at my emotions.

And then I saw the stitched lettering across the teddy bear’s belly.

"My Spring."

I almost choked.

My first thought was, ’Is Eryx having a sister complex?’

No. No, no. It couldn’t be that. Could it?

I shook the thought away, lips pressing into a line. Gently, I placed the bowl of fruit on my reading table and slipped the bottle of water out of it. Then, I shrugged off my bag and set it on the chair.

As I turned back to Eryx, I noticed how tightly he had curled up. It wasn’t just rest—it was the posture of someone seeking comfort, warmth or safety.

He looked... vulnerable.

Without thinking, I reached for the duvet at the foot of the bed and gently pulled it over him.

Only then did I notice the small card slip from his jacket pocket. It fluttered to the floor.

I bent to pick it up and blinked when I saw what it was.

A master keycard.

"Figures," I muttered under my breath.

Of course, he’d find a way into my room. No boundary existed between us when he was determined.

As I looked down at him again, a fresh wave of memory crashed into me.

Memories of when I was ten—how I’d sneak into his room on stormy nights, crawling into his bed because it felt safer beside him. And sometimes, he’d beat me to it, curling beside me in the middle of the night like a silent guardian.

We’d cuddle under the blankets. He’d ruffle my hair and call me his little storm, his Spring.

I’d steal his sweaters and hide in his bed when nightmares came if he wasn’t home. At times, Eryx would call me at night till I fell asleep to his voice on those nights.

Those nights felt like magic, like home.

Eryx was the one person in the world who saw me. Perhaps because he was my immediate elder brother, but we shared a truly deep connection.

Then Rose came, and everything changed.

I turned away, throat tightening. I didn’t want to cry. Not now. Not in front of him, even if he was asleep.

Just as I reached for my bag to leave, a sudden tug pulled me backwards.

"Wha—!"

I barely had time to react before I was yanked down onto the bed.

The mattress dipped beneath me, and a second later, I was enveloped by warmth.

Eryx.

He wrapped himself around me like he used to—his chest firm and warm against my back, arms locked gently but securely around my waist.

He buried his face in my hair, and a shiver travelled down my spine as he inhaled deeply.

Then, in a whisper so low it made my breath catch, he murmured,

"Welcome home, Spring."

My heart skipped. Skipped again.

I blinked, wide-eyed, frozen in place as the scent of his cologne filled my lungs—familiar and far too comforting.

I started to shift, to pull away, but his grip only tightened slightly, grounding me.

"I’m sorry," he said softly, voice tinged with something I hadn’t heard from him in a while. Regret. Real, heavy, honest regret.

"For all my wrongs. Please... forgive me."

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