Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 143

Bryan's POV

I had barely settled into my chair when Henry stepped inside my office. His face carried that firm look he always wore whenever something serious was about to be discussed. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries, just dipped his head in respect and said,

“Alpha, word has come from the borders. Delta Atlas is on his way here.”

I straightened, brows knitting. “Atlas?”

Henry nodded, his tone calm but clear. “Yes. He made no attempt to hide his arrival. He’s here to discuss the increase of ammunition supplies and… strengthening our defenses.”

I leaned back in my chair, fingers drumming lightly on the table. Atlas never came without reason. The man was Enzo’s shadow in many ways, his right-hand enforcer, his errand runner and his spy when needed. If he was coming here personally, it meant something serious.

I took a deep breath. “Did he send a formal message?”

“No, Alpha. Only word passed through the guards that he’d be arriving by carriage shortly.”

My jaw clenched. Atlas was bold like that. He never bowed to formality when he felt he carried Enzo’s authority in his pocket. And perhaps he did.

“Fine,” I said finally, pushing my chair back. “Go prepare the outer court. I’ll meet him when he arrives.”

Henry hesitated a moment, then cleared his throat. “Should I notify Luna Irene?”

That question drew a pause out of me. Irene. My Luna. My wife. My source of pride and sometimes—my deepest embarrassment. Her spirit had been fire when I first brought her here, and more than once that fire had burned me in front of my council. But she was my Luna, and appearances mattered.

“Yes,” I said slowly, “but first I’ll speak to her myself.”

Henry gave a small nod. “As you wish, Alpha.” Then he turned and left.

I remained there for a moment, staring at the map sprawled across my desk, lines and red markings showing border weaknesses, trade routes, and neighboring packs. I knew Atlas would bring demands. He always did. But this time, I had to tread carefully. Our pack was not as strong financially as it appeared. We had mouths to feed, warriors to train, land to manage. If Atlas demanded more than we could give… things might unravel.

Pushing the thought aside, I stood and made my way toward the Luna’s chambers. The corridor was quiet, guards standing at attention as I passed, their eyes straight ahead. When I reached the door, I pushed it open without knocking.

Irene stood by the window, the morning sun streaming across her hair. She looked back, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You came earlier than I thought.”

“I have news,” I said, shutting the door behind me.

Her brows arched delicately. “News? Or another order?”

I ignored her jab and crossed the room. “Atlas is coming.”

That made her stiffen slightly, though she quickly masked it with a calm look. “Atlas? Here?”

“Yes. He’s here on behalf of Enzo. He wants to talk about increasing ammunition supplies and strengthening our forces.”

Irene turned fully, folding her arms. “And you’re already tense about it.”

I exhaled through my nose. “Because it isn’t a simple discussion. If Atlas is here, it means Enzo is pushing for something. And if Enzo is pushing, then refusing won’t be easy.”

She studied me quietly, then tilted her head. “So why tell me?”

“Because,” I said sharply, “I don’t want you embarrassing me again. Not in front of Atlas. Not in front of Enzo’s people. Do you understand?”

Her lips curved into a slow smile, the kind that made me uneasy. She stepped closer, her voice soft. “You still hold that against me? That was years ago, Bryan. I wasn’t… mature then. I spoke without thinking, I acted on impulse. But now—” she lifted her hand to my cheek, her eyes steady on mine “—now I have a pack to run. I know my place. I know my duty.”

Her touch softened the edge of my tension, though I didn’t want to admit it. I caught her wrist gently, lowering it. “Good. Then prove it. When Atlas arrives, you will stand beside me, and you will not speak unless I signal.”

Irene chuckled lightly. “You’re always so strict.”

I frowned, but she leaned forward suddenly and brushed her lips against mine. It wasn’t passionate, just a soft press, a reminder of the bond between us. When she pulled back, she whispered, “Don’t worry, Bryan. I won’t let you down this time.”

I studied her for another moment, searching her eyes. Then I nodded. “Fine. Prepare yourself. We’ll meet him together.”

We left the chamber shortly after. The courtyard was already bustling as guards adjusted their formation, preparing for Atlas’s arrival. Irene walked beside me gracefully, her head held high.

When Atlas’s carriage rolled in, drawn by two black horses, I kept my expression neutral. The man stepped out, tall, dressed in his usual dark attire, his face unreadable. His eyes scanned the courtyard before settling on me.

“Alpha Bryan,” he greeted with a curt nod.

“Delta Atlas,” I replied, stepping forward. “Welcome to my pack.”

We clasped forearms briefly, a gesture of respect more than warmth. Then I gestured toward Irene. “My Luna, Irene.”

Atlas inclined his head politely. “Luna.”

Irene smiled with practiced grace. “Delta.”

“Come,” I said quickly, steering the moment before it lingered. “You must be tired from the journey. Sit with us inside. Irene will prepare tea.”

As we walked toward the hall, I caught Irene’s eye and gave her a subtle wink. She understood immediately, bowing her head slightly before slipping away to make the arrangements.

Inside the council chamber, Atlas and I took our seats. He wasted no time.

“You know why I’m here,” he began flatly. “Your pack’s defenses need reinforcement. Enzo is concerned. He wants ammunition increased, patrols tightened, and readiness ensured. He sent me to see it done.”

I steepled my fingers. “I’m aware of our weaknesses. But you should also be aware of our situation. Our economy isn’t strong enough to sustain that kind of increase. Not unless—” I paused, my eyes steady on him “—profits are split differently.”

Atlas’s gaze hardened. “Differently?”

“Yes. If we are to take on greater burden, then profits must be split evenly. Half to your side, half to ours. That way, we can sustain the cost.”

For a moment, silence stretched. Atlas leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. Then he shook his head slowly. “That won’t work.”

“Why not?” I asked, keeping my voice calm though irritation prickled under my skin.

“Because Enzo won’t agree. He provides more, he gains more. That’s the law of power.”

I clenched my jaw. “Then you’re asking us to bleed ourselves dry while he grows stronger. That isn’t partnership. That’s exploitation.”

Before Atlas could reply, Irene reentered with a tray of tea. She set it down gracefully, pouring into three cups before handing them to us. She sat beside me, her posture perfect, her eyes flicking between us.

“What’s the matter?” she asked lightly, though her tone carried weight.

“Your Alpha,” Atlas said coldly, “wants to split profits in half.”

Irene sipped her tea before setting the cup down. Her gaze shifted to me, then back to Atlas. “And you refused?”

“Of course,” Atlas said.

Silence hung for a beat before Irene leaned forward, her tone calm but firm. “Then perhaps we should take this discussion to Enzo himself. Let him hear directly what is at stake. If our pack collapses under the weight of this demand, it will not only hurt us. It will hurt him too. A weak ally is a liability.”

I turned to her slowly, surprised at her boldness. Atlas’s expression flickered, just for a moment, as though he hadn’t expected her to speak.

She smiled faintly. “Enzo is wise. He will understand the balance we must strike. Don’t you agree, Delta?”

Atlas said nothing for a long time, his fingers tapping once against his cup. Then finally, he muttered, “Perhaps.”