Fated and Claimed by Four Alphas
Chapter 48: Emotions and Reconciliation

Chapter 48: Emotions and Reconciliation

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Chapter 48

~Spring’s POV~

"I’m sorry for all my wrongs. Please... forgive me."

For a moment, I didn’t breathe. Just... stayed still. Listening. Feeling.

His words were like fragile glass, and all I could do was lie there... listening to the storm of my heartbeat as memories, longing, and confusion swirled inside me like a tide I didn’t know how to fight anymore.

Eryx’s arms around me weren’t tight, but they made it hard to move. Not physically—emotionally.

And that scared me more.

"I’m..." I hesitated. "I’m not angry again, Eryx."

"Lies, my Jewel, I know when you lie, remember. I know how our heartbeat becomes irregular from slow three beats to four fast beats, and you try to regulate it again and..."

"Your point exactly?" I cut in, angry that he knew Spring’s body too well.

"...is that you are angry, Spring."

"Yes, because you all were dicks," I blurted out before I could stop myself or control my anger.

I sighed, shaking my head a little. I should probably apologise to him. No matter what, he was still older, and he was here trying to make amends.

"I..."

"I know," Eryx cut in. His voice cracked softly. "I didn’t know how to protect you then. I thought I was. But I wasn’t. And then I also protected Rose, believing her and not giving you a chance because I was angry."

His grip tightened, like he feared I’d disappear if he let go.

"I believed her, Spring. And I hate that I did."

The words were raw.

I turned slightly, enough to see his face—eyes still shut, lips pressed into a hard line, like it physically hurt to admit that.

"I was your favourite, you were my favourite," I whispered. "And you... all of you... let me take the fall for something I cried and begged I did not do. That amongst others but no one ever believed Spring."

"I know."

"Fifty lashes, Eryx," I said, and my voice trembled despite how hard I fought to keep it steady. "Kneeling under the sun for six hours. Because no one stood for me."

His eyes opened slowly then. Blue. Clear and miserable.

"While you went through that, I stood in the hallway and cried," he said. "Mum told me to grow up. Dad said if I wanted to be strong, I had to stop feeling sorry for the weak. So I turned away."

I didn’t say anything.

What was there to say?

"You’re not weak now," he added softly. "You never were. But I was. I let you down."

The silence stretched. Only the sound of the A.C. and my erratic heartbeat filled the space between us.

Finally, I pulled away. Not harshly. But enough to sit up.

He didn’t stop me this time.

I stood and looked at him—really looked at him.

"Eryx..." I said carefully. "I’m not the same girl you left behind. And you... You don’t get to sleep in my bed anymore, and think things go back to the way they were."

He nodded slowly.

"I’m still glad you came," I added. "But next time? Knock."

Eryx chuckled softly, though it was hollow. "I didn’t think you’d open the door."

I headed for my desk and picked up the fallen fruits, one by one, placing them back in the bowl. "Also, I am sorry for being harsh to you the iother day. You don’t deserve that."

"You’re lying," Eryx muttered.

"Yeah, you deserved it," I said with a low chuckle, and he laughed with me.

"Oh, I brought this. I um.. I stole it from your room two years back and decided to return it to you."

He handed me the blue teddy bear, and I hesitated a bit before letting my shoulders drop.

"Sure." I took it from him and observed it.

"Um, as for your class on everything I know bout tech, we officially begin tomorrow evening. Two hours every day, 8 to 10 p.m. understood?"

"Yeah. I understand, thank you."

As I reached the table to take a fruit, he called out softly. "You’re stronger than all of us now, you know that?"

I didn’t turn. Just rested my hand on a grapefruit and said, "Maybe. But strength doesn’t erase scars. And it doesn’t make forgiveness easy."

I headed to my laundry basket, took off my uniform jacket and inner white first, then my shoes and socks.

"I’ll take my bath."

I didn’t chase him out, but I guess he got the cue, so I went in to bathe.

I came out a couple of minutes later to meet Eryx, still lounging on my bed. He definitely didn’t get the cue, and this—this was all pretty normal to him.

Rather than being shy about him while I dressed at the corner, even though his head was lower and his attention was on his phone, I focused on other things.

For example, exposing Rose’s lies when I gathered enough evidence against her.

"Eryx..."

A loud ding echoed through the halls—the chime of the brass bell, signalling that lunch had been served.

Eryx shifted behind me, still holding me gently. "Looks like it’s time to eat," he murmured.

Without saying much, we exited my room together and headed downstairs.

The scent of roasted garlic and spiced vegetables drifted into the hallway. Any other day, it might’ve stirred my appetite.

But not today. My stomach felt like a knot of nerves and old disappointments.

I stood beside Eryx just outside the dining room, both of us pausing for a moment before stepping inside.

Eryx’s hand hovered at the small of my back again—a simple gesture, but one that anchored me more than he probably realised.

We were just about to enter when my mother’s voice floated out, lightly.

"Has Spring returned from school yet?"

I felt Eryx stiffen slightly beside me. I didn’t move. I didn’t breathe. The maids knew I was home. I just wondered if any of them would say anything.

But then came her voice. "She’s still at school," Rose said loud enough for the entire staff to hear. "Probably hanging out with guys, flirting. And she may probably—"

"Spring may probably what?" Eryx’s voice rang out, sharply and commanding as he strode into the room.

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