Billionaire Quadruplet Alphas

Sunday 27th September, 2020

Jonah

“Eldest first,” said Heath, Star’s Dad.

He was sitting across from me in the dining hall of the Ice Moon Castle.

“Where’s Harper?” Asked Star, stalling for me.

She looked extremely nervous on my behalf which was doing nothing for my confidence.

“Let Harper sleep. He has his own pack to run and his own Luna to keep track of,” said Heath.

“And where’s Toby?!” Exclaimed Star as though she had only just realised he was missing.

“He’s been MIA a while,” said Noah, frowning.

“He was at the feast last night,” said Zaya. “He’s probably hungover somewhere.”

“Not likely,” said Noah softly.

“Shall we go looking for him? Star’s worried,” said Eli.

“It’s time for brother’s task. If you don’t want to watch, it’s fine. Go look for Toby,” said Heath with a shrug.

Star sighed.

“Have you decided who will do which task?” Said Heath, looking at the four of us.

“Um,” I began.

“Yes!” Said Star excitedly. “We did!”

“We did?” I said, looking at her in confusion.

“Yes, don’t you remember?” She asked me pointedly.

Was I that bad of a listener? Had I missed such an important discussion?

“Right,” I said, smiling.

We, as in Harper and I, decided that Noah should demonstrate Prudence you know since he’s the smarty pants and it’s all about discernment. Eli will be Justice since he’s pretty fair. Noah screams Courage or Fortitude as it’s sometimes called. And you, my Love, will be Temperance which is basically self-control. You know how good you are at resisting your desires, said Star in my mind, giving me a sly smile.

She had planned ahead. I felt a little stupid for not looking this up myself. I was supposed to be the one proving myself. I felt like it was always Star bearing the brunt of everything. I was still stuck on her calling me her “Love”. I could not wipe the grin off my face in response to that.

I won’t let you down, Star! Mon Amour, I said.

She smiled. She was so beautiful.

“Jonah,” said Heath dryly.

I was pretty sure he had been saying something else but I could not ask him now.

“Yes, I’m ready…I will be Temperance,” said Jonah.

“Temperance as in self-control. You? Two-girlfriend-Jonah,” said Heath with a mocking smile.

“Dad, please,” said Star, looking at him disapprovingly.

I ignored his jibe and continued with Star’s plan.

“Zaya will be Courage, Noah will be Prudence and Eli will be Justice,” I announced.

My younger brothers all nodded, seemingly happy with the cardinal virtues assigned to them.

“Will it be in birth order, Sir?” Asked Eli.

“Yes,” said Heath with a small smile directed at Eli.

I knew he probably wished that Star had one mate and that the one mate was Eli but we were Quadruplets and he would have to accept that.

“What will I be doing to show you how disciplined I am?” I asked.

“You’ll be entering the challenge arena!” Came a voice I recognised. Asriel. Where had he been? Toby was with him.

“Toby!” Exclaimed Star.

“Hey,” said Toby cheerfully.

“Where have you been?!” Asked Star, concern and a tad of suspicion in her voice.

“Helping Asriel set up the challenge,” said Toby brightly.

“You?!” Asked Star, shocked.

“Yeah, he volunteered the moment he got here,” said Asriel. “I’ve been showing him some basic magic.”

“What sense does it make showing a werewolf magic?” Asked Noah sharply.

Asriel shrugged. “There are some people who, though not inherently magical, can learn,” explained Asriel.

“Is Toby one of those people?” Asked Noah, narrowing his eyes.

“No,” said Toby sadly. “I think the Fae are amazing. They’re so glamourous. I really wanted to come here and see some Fae magic and fashion, maybe even learn a thing or do but I wasn’t able to do any of the things Asriel showed me.”

“Aww, it’s ok, Toby. You don’t even need magic. You’re amazing without it,” said Star, giving her friend a hug.

“So we’re going to the arena now?” Asked Zaya. “How far is it from the castle?”

“It’s inside the castle,” said Asriel with a huge grin on his face.

Star laughed randomly.

“What?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at her.

“Oh, no, it’s um, Rein and Erin. They’re Asriel’s earrings. They’re pretty funny,” explained Star.

“Oh,” I said. “I think Zaya told me about them. Only the Fae can hear them right?”

“Basically, but there’s Fae dust you can use to hear them too if you want!” Said Zaya.

“I would love to meet Erin and Rein!” I said brightly.

Talking Fae earrings sounded handy. Maybe they could tell me how to win this challenge. Asriel frowned at me.

“Oh, um, Erin isn’t ready to start talking to anyone new right now,” said Asriel apologetically.

“Erin’s happy you’re moving on, Zaya,” laughed Toby.

“How can you hear them?” Asked Noah.

“I gave him some of the Fae dust,” said Asriel, grinning.

“So how come Erin will talk to Toby and not me?!” I asked, actually feeling offended that an earring didn’t want to talk to me.

“Enough of this, let’s get on with the most important thing on the agenda for today,” said Heath. “You proving your devotion to my daughter.”

I nodded.

“Are you ready to win the hand of a Fae Princess?” Said Asriel with a flourish of his hand.

“I’ve been ready,” I said confidently.

“The Queen should be meeting us to watch the challenge. She would like to give her blessing also if it all turns out well,” said Heath, looking around the dining hall.

“Looks like her majesty and Harper are both sleeping in,” said Eli.

“And Holly,” said Zaya.

“I should go up to her chambers and inform her before we start,” grumbled Heath, getting up from his chair. “She might take offence if we start without her. I’ll be right back, and then it’s showtime!”

Harper

I woke up more disgruntled and disoriented than usual. As a rockstar, I was not a morning person but Holly’s presence had made even the earliest and coldest mornings blissful. She must have wiggled away from me. I sat up and groggily looked around. There was a bundle of blankets next to me. She was always doing that, wrapping up like a little burrito, stealing all the blankets and pillows. Little thief. I smirked to myself. I snatched the blankets up, intending to pounce on her playfully.

“Holly?” I said, frowning.

She was not in bed. I got up.

“Holly!” I called.

She was not in my room. I looked at the cuckoo clock on my wall. Most Fae versions of a cuckoo clock had a tiny dragon inside instead, a real one. The little sapphire dragon in the clock popped out and breathed fire, signifying it was exactly noon on the dot. The challenge was today! I hoped they had not started without me. Holly was probably down there to show moral support for Star and the Quads. She was so sweet. She could have woken me though. Knowing her, she probably felt I needed the rest. I got ready quickly. I mind-linked Holly. She was quiet. She was probably in the arena then. The arena was actually an enchanted room that Asriel had set up apparently. The Quads were not allowed outside help so no mind-linking could be done in the room, according to Asriel.

Suddenly, dread and confusion filled me out of nowhere. Holly? No. It was Helena. She was panicked for some reason. I was feeling my dragon’s emotions. She was summoning me. Holly, Star and the Quads would be fine. I needed to check on my dragon!

Star

Asriel magically transported us all to the “arena.” We found ourselves standing in one of the castle’s many hallways in front of a simple door with Fae art expertly carved into the wood. It was a forest scene filled with animals. A beautiful depiction. I marvelled at the details, tracing the grooves of the wood with my fingertips.

“Where’s the entrance to the arena?” I asked absentmindedly.

“You’re touching it,” said Asriel with a laugh.

“It’s that door, Princess!” Said Erin.

“Arena my a*s. It’s a bloody room,” muttered Rein.

“I’m so excited…I’m a little worried for Zaya though. Is he…emotionally up to this? I know I hurt him,” said Erin in hushed tones.

“He’s fine!” I exclaimed, chuckling.

“He’s relieved. He dodged a bullet with you,” said Rein.

“I’m someone that you can’t live with but also can’t live without,” said Erin. “It’s a curse. I make people crazy. I didn’t ask to be this way!” Sobbed Erin.

“Please don’t say the word curse around me,” I said, with a frown. “And cheer up, Erin, can I get you anything?” I asked soothingly.

I wasn’t sure what would help Erin feel better. Could the earring have a glass of water or some tea? I doubted that.

“You can get me the hell out of here!” Barked Rein. “I’m missing my soaps!”

“Asriel’s taping it. Relax,” said Erin, sounding happy again.

That earring was always on an emotional rollercoaster.

“What soaps do you watch, Rein?” I asked curiously, killing time while we waited for my Dad to return with my great-grandmother.

“You wouldn’t know them. They have a niche following. I don’t watch mainstream programming,” grumbled Rein.

“Rein is a nonconformist,” said Erin.

“I know what I like! I know good art when I see it! I’m an artist myself!” Revealed Rein.

“Really?” I said, actually very intrigued. “What kind of art?”

“Rein is a poet,” said Erin.

“Can I hear…” I began.

“NO!” Snapped Rein.

I frowned.

“The world isn’t ready!” Said Rein.

“I sing and I paint watercolours,” said Erin.

“Erin sang happy birthday at a party once and fell on a wet paint brush. When Asriel cleaned Erin with a napkin, smears of pain were left behind,” said Rein dryly.

“Abstract,” said Erin. “I refuse to be limited by realism.”

The conversation between two earrings was actually beyond me.

“I’m gonna go get my Dad so we can start!” I said.

“I’m back!” Said Dad, coming round the corner.

“Oh! Where’s Great-Grandmother?!” I asked.

“She’s not coming! She’ll congratulate you four after,” he said, looking at the Quads. “Assuming you’re triumphant.”

“We will be,” said Zaya.

Dad ushered us through the door into a simple room with four doors just as magnificent as the one we had gone through.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“Jonah, are you ready to demonstrate Temperance?” Asked Dad.

Jonah nodded. “Yes, Sir!”

“Well you can start by picking the right door,” said Dad, gesturing towards the four doors.

Jonah examined the doors, scrutinising their various carvings.

“This one,” he said finally.

Dad smiled.

He had picked a door which showed wolf surrounded by rabbits all running in different directions. The wolf sat on his hind legs, not chasing any of them.

“You will not be able to communicate with anyone for assistance via mind-link,” said Asriel.

I gasped. They had not told me that! Jonah did not seem surprised. He nodded.

“We’ll be watching through here!” Said Asriel, pointing to a huge stained glass window on the wall adjacent to the wall with the four doors. With a wave of his hand, Asriel enchanted the window and the artwork disappeared to reveal a dense mist.

“When he enters, the mist will clear and we’ll be able to see what’s happening,” said Asriel.

“Wish me luck!” Said Jonah.

My nerves were beginning to get the better of me now. I hugged myself and Eli rubbed my shoulders, trying to comfort me.

“I love you, Star!” Said Jonah.

“I love you, Jonah,” I said without hesitation.

He smiled and then entered the arena.