Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 101

Lisa's POV

I sat on the edge of the infirmary bed, my hand still resting over my stomach even though the pain had dulled to a faint throb. The white walls around me felt both suffocating and strangely safe at the same time. Atlas had pulled a stool closer, leaning forward with that half-serious, half-playful look he always wore when he was determined to make me laugh. Kael leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, but his lips were curved in the faintest grin as Atlas launched into another ridiculous story.

“…and then he actually fell face-first into the mud, screaming like a banshee, while swearing it was part of his ‘grand plan.’” Atlas slapped his knee, laughing too loudly at his own story. “I swear, I thought my ribs would crack from laughing.”

Kael snorted. “You didn’t even help him out. You stood there and laughed until he nearly drowned.”

Atlas gasped theatrically. “Excuse me, I was emotionally supporting him with my laughter.”

Despite myself, a small laugh escaped. My body was tired, sore, but the sound of my own laugh almost startled me. I blinked, then glanced at Atlas. “That sounds like something you’d do,” I said, shaking my head.

Kael’s smirk grew. “Correction—it *was* something he did. To me.”

That broke me. I chuckled until I pressed a hand to my forehead, groaning as the ache sharpened again. “You two are impossible.”

“That’s our charm,” Atlas replied proudly. “We’ve made it our life mission to keep you entertained, Lisa.”

I was about to fire back with something sarcastic when the door creaked open. My head turned automatically, and my laugh died in my throat as Ash walked in.

The air shifted instantly. Atlas straightened, his grin fading, while Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly but he didn’t move from the wall. Ash didn’t bother acknowledging either of them. His gaze locked on me with a seriousness that made the air around us heavier.

“I need a word,” he said simply.

Atlas frowned. “She’s resting.”

Ash’s tone didn’t change. “She’ll rest later. This is important.”

My stomach tightened. Something about the way he said it made me sit a little straighter. I gestured for Atlas to relax, though his eyes lingered on me like he wanted to argue. Kael shifted but kept quiet.

Ash stepped closer until he was right by the bed. His presence was commanding, the kind of presence that didn’t allow for dismissals. “We’ve got a plan,” he said quietly, eyes never leaving mine. “A plan to humiliate Irene and put her in her place. But it has to be you, Lisa. No one else.”

I blinked. “Me?”

“Yes. You.” His lips curved slightly, not into a smile, more like an edge. “You’re the only one she wouldn’t dare back down from right now. Especially after today. Bryan won’t let her walk away, and Irene’s pride won’t let her leave. It’ll trap her right where we want her.”

I hesitated, biting my lip. My head was still pounding lightly, and my body wasn’t in its best shape. “You’re asking me to do this while I can barely stand without feeling dizzy?”

Ash tilted his head, studying me. For the first time, I noticed the necklace around his neck. A pendant with a strange engraving glimmered faintly under the light, catching my attention.

I frowned. “That necklace…” My eyes narrowed. “Where did you get it?”

Ash glanced down, almost carelessly, then looked back up. “Why?”

“Because I’ve seen that design before,” I said slowly. The memory prickled at the back of my mind, blurry but persistent. “It’s not just some random trinket. Where did you get it?”

For a heartbeat, he didn’t answer. Then he said flatly, “It was a gift.”

My brows shot up. “A gift? From who?”

Ash’s mouth quirked slightly, as though amused by my curiosity. “Someone I don’t care about anymore. I thought about getting rid of it today, but for some reason I wore it one last time before finally disposing of it.”

The way he said it felt deliberate, guarded. I couldn’t help teasing. “Oh, so it’s from your secret lover, huh?”

Atlas coughed loudly, and Kael smirked from the corner.

Ash’s expression didn’t budge, but his eyes narrowed faintly. “Be serious, Lisa.”

I chuckled softly despite the tension. “I’m just saying. You look like someone holding onto memories.”

Ash leaned closer, ignoring my teasing tone. “Are you ready for payback or not?”

I stared at him, my humor fading. The weight of what he was asking settled over me again. A slow smile tugged at my lips, small but determined. “You know me,” I murmured. “Of course I am. My head just… hurts a bit, that’s all.”

Ash’s gaze softened almost imperceptibly. Without a word, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small blade. Before I could question him, he took my hand gently, the one with the faint bandage still wrapped around it.

“What are you—?”

“Hold still,” he said firmly.

I flinched as the blade sliced across my skin, shallow but sharp enough to sting. A bead of blood welled up, and I gasped. “Ash!”

“Relax.” His voice was steady, unbothered. Then, without hesitation, he pressed the blade to his own palm, cutting himself in the same manner. Blood dripped slowly from his hand. He held my wrist steady, tilting it so his blood dripped directly into my wound.

I froze. “What—what are you doing?”

His gaze locked with mine, unwavering. “Strengthening you.”

I felt the first drop sink into my skin, warm and almost electric. My wolf stirred inside me, a low rumble of recognition and energy sparking through my veins. My eyes widened.

Ash continued, his voice low, almost like he was explaining something forbidden. “My blood carries the strength of my wolf. Dripping it into your wound will help heal you faster, make your wolf rise sooner. You’ll need it if you want to face Irene.”

The sting faded almost instantly, replaced by a warm rush spreading through my hand, up my arm, and straight to my chest. My heartbeat quickened.

Atlas stepped forward sharply. “That’s dangerous. What the hell are you doing, Ash?”

Ash didn’t even look at him. “Helping her.”

Kael’s voice was flat but sharp. “This isn’t normal. That’s not something anyone just… does.”

I barely heard them. My body was responding, fast. The ache in my head dulled, the dizziness began to clear. I felt lighter, stronger. My wolf, which had been weak and curled in the back of my mind, stirred with renewed energy, pacing inside me with a faint growl.

Ash finally pulled away, wiping the blood from his hand. The cut on his palm was already closing. Mine, too, had stopped bleeding, the skin knitting together faster than before.

I stared at my hand, then back at him, astonished. “Ash… what did you just do to me?”

He straightened, slipping the blade back into his pocket. “I told you. I gave your wolf a push.” His tone dropped, quieter. “Now you’ll be ready.”

I swallowed hard, still feeling the strange, powerful warmth coursing through me. I lifted my gaze to his, searching his expression. “You didn’t have to do that…”

Ash’s lips twitched faintly, almost into a smile, but it never fully formed. “Yes, I did.”

For a long moment, none of us spoke. Atlas finally broke the silence, shaking his head with disbelief. “You’re insane, Ash. Absolutely insane.”

Kael muttered, “Or desperate.”

But I… I couldn’t deny the truth. My body felt stronger already. My head clearer. My wolf whispering at the edges of my mind, no longer weak but sharp and restless.

I clenched my fist slowly, testing the strength in my hand. Then I looked up at Ash, a small, determined smile forming. “Alright,” I said softly. “Let’s put Irene in her place.”

Ash nodded once, satisfied.