Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 144

Enzo's POV

I was in my office with Ash when the mindlink from Atlas cut through like a blade. His voice was sharp, laced with irritation, and beneath that, urgency.

*“Enzo, Bryan made some decisions. He’s insisting on coming to your pack along with me. I’ll explain when we get there.”*

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple. Bryan again. That Alpha had a knack for complicating simple matters. I didn’t respond immediately, letting the weight of his words settle before answering.

*“Fine,”* I sent back through the link, *“but don’t drag unnecessary tension into my walls. I’ll handle it once you’re here.”*

When the link cut off, I caught Ash’s eyes on me. He had that quiet, calculating look he always wore when something smelled off.

“What did he say?” Ash asked, already moving toward the window to glance out at the courtyard. His posture was stiff, his shoulders tight like he was expecting trouble to walk right up to the gates.

“Atlas says Bryan made decisions. He’s bringing him here. Irene too, from the sound of it,” I said, my voice low.

Ash scoffed, folding his arms. “That woman again. I swear, her presence is more distraction than value. What’s Bryan thinking, bringing her into matters of ammunition and economics? That’s not Luna business.”

I didn’t disagree. Irene had embarrassed Bryan once before during a negotiation, and though I respected her sharp tongue, this wasn’t about pride or charm—it was survival, stability, strength.

“Prepare for their arrival,” I told Ash. “Set the meeting room, make sure the guards are on alert. If Bryan’s coming here to throw demands around, I want no interruptions. And if Irene tries to meddle again, we’ll cut her off before it spirals.”

Ash nodded once, sharp and precise, before moving to handle everything. That’s what I trusted about him—silent efficiency, no questions once a decision was made.

I leaned forward, elbows on the desk, and let my mind run through the possibilities. Bryan wanting more ammunition… Atlas being dragged into it… economic strain… it didn’t sit well. Bryan wasn’t wrong to want strength for his pack, but desperation in an Alpha often looked like recklessness. And recklessness, when tied to weapons, led to ruin.

By the time the gates opened to receive them, I was already standing at the front steps with Ash beside me. The black SUV rolled in, carrying Atlas in the passenger seat, Bryan behind the wheel, Irene at his side. Even from here, I could see Irene’s smile plastered on her lips, like she was walking into a court ball instead of a business negotiation.

When they stepped out, Atlas’s eyes found mine immediately, steady, neutral, but carrying the silent message only allies shared—*this won’t be easy.*

“Enzo,” Atlas greeted, offering a firm nod as he adjusted his jacket.

“Atlas,” I returned, clasping his hand in a firm shake. My gaze slid briefly to Bryan, who carried that air of entitlement, chin high, eyes sharp. And then to Irene, who looked around with the curiosity of a Luna too eager to prove she belonged in these circles.

“Welcome to my territory,” I said, my tone even. “Let’s head inside. No need to waste daylight.”

They followed me into the estate, footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The guards held position by the doors as we entered the meeting room. Ash gestured toward the long table.

“Please,” he said, his voice clipped, “take your seats.”

They settled in, Bryan beside Irene, Atlas across from me. I remained standing for a moment, surveying them, letting silence set the weight before I finally sat.

Before the first word could leave Bryan’s mouth, Ash’s voice cut clean through the air.

“Irene,” he said firmly, turning toward her, “this discussion isn’t Luna business. You’ll excuse us.”

Her eyes flickered, a flash of indignation passing across her face. She opened her mouth, but Bryan’s hand rested on hers under the table, keeping her seated.

“Irene stays,” Bryan said. His voice was calm, but the authority behind it was sharp enough to draw an unspoken line. “She has every right to hear this. She’s grown, matured, and she stands as Luna. She’ll listen.”

Ash’s jaw tightened, but he looked at me for direction. I exhaled slowly.

“She can listen,” I said finally. “But if she disrupts, she’s out.”

Irene smirked, lifting her chin slightly. “I won’t disrupt. I only watch.”

Ash didn’t look convinced, but he leaned back, letting me steer the course.

“Let’s get to it,” I said, leaning forward. “Atlas tells me you want an increase in ammunition, Bryan.”

Bryan’s eyes locked on mine. “Not just ammunition. Strength. Reinforcement. The threats rising around us are no small matters, Enzo. If my pack isn’t equipped, if we fall, it won’t just be my people who suffer. The ripple will reach your territory too.”

“That may be true,” I said, my tone even, “but your request comes with weight. Ammunition isn’t cheap. My resources don’t multiply out of thin air. You ask for more when the economy is already strained.”

Atlas cleared his throat. “I told him this, Enzo. I explained your position, but he insists—”

Bryan cut him off. “Insists, yes. Because waiting isn’t an option. You want us to survive, don’t you? If our pack is weakened, we’re a liability to every alliance we stand in.”

Ash spoke then, his voice hard as stone. “Then you should’ve managed your resources better instead of running here expecting handouts. Enzo’s not your personal armory.”

Bryan’s eyes narrowed. “Mind your tongue, Beta. This is between Alphas.”

Ash’s lip curled slightly, but I raised a hand, silencing the brewing storm.

“Enough,” I said, my tone low but commanding. “We won’t waste time on pettiness. Bryan, you want more? Then you’ll split profits. Fifty-fifty. If you expect reinforcement, my pack won’t carry the full weight without return. That’s the deal.”

Bryan’s expression hardened. “Fifty-fifty is robbery. My pack already bleeds enough coin. You’re asking for half our marrow when we’re barely standing.”

“And you’re asking me to arm you further,” I shot back. “You don’t get to demand without sacrifice. This is the balance.”

Silence stretched for a beat, heavy with tension. Bryan’s fists tightened on the table, but Irene’s voice broke the silence.

“Wait,” she said softly, surprising all of us. Her eyes flickered between me and Bryan, steady and clear. “If the packs collapse, if ours weakens beyond repair, Enzo, it won’t just be us. You said it yourself—alliances tie us together. If we fall, so do you. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. Instead of fighting here, why don’t we take this matter directly to Enzo’s superior chain? To the higher command?”

I blinked at her, then narrowed my eyes. “Explain.”

She leaned forward slightly, her hands clasped. “We all know if the economic strain continues, none of us stand unscathed. Let’s bring it before Enzo himself—he holds weight over more than one pack. Let him decide if this demand is reckless or necessary. Because if Bryan’s pack collapses, Enzo, yours feels it next.”

Atlas’s brows shot up, clearly surprised by her reasoning. Ash shifted uncomfortably, but he didn’t argue immediately.

I studied Irene for a long moment. The smugness she carried earlier had melted into something sharper, more grounded. She wasn’t wrong—collapse in one pack rippled outward, destabilizing others.

Bryan turned to her, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Irene…”

She squeezed his hand lightly, smiling faintly. “This isn’t about pride anymore. It’s about survival.”

Silence stretched again, the weight of her suggestion filling the air. My jaw tightened as I considered it.

Finally, I exhaled. “So be it. We’ll take this to me,” I said. “But until then, Bryan, no more demands. You’ll hold, and you’ll wait. I’ll hear both your cases, but my word will be final.”

Bryan didn’t like it—his jaw flexed, his shoulders stiff—but he gave a short nod. Atlas let out a quiet sigh, relief easing his features.

Ash leaned closer to me, voice low. “Are you sure about this? Giving them the rope to climb higher?”

I glanced at him, my voice equally low. “Sometimes, Ash, letting them climb shows us how high they’re willing to go before they fall.”