Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 25

Irene's pov

I stormed out of the packhouse, heels stabbing into the gravel with every furious step I took. My face burned-not from embarrassment, but from rage. How dare he speak to me like that? In front of her. That filthy, low-ranked, dirt-smelling omega who could barely put a sentence together without trembling like a leaf.

Enzo had humiliated me.

And for what? Because she bumped into him and mumbled an apology?

I reached my car and slammed the door so hard the window rattled. My driver, that half-asleep oaf, flinched and dared to ask, "Ma'am, is everything alright?"

"No, everything is not alright!" I snapped, glaring at him through the rearview mirror. "Why are you still sitting there? Drive!"

He fumbled for the ignition like he suddenly forgot how the car worked, stuttering apologies as we pulled away from the packhouse. I crossed my arms, inhaling and exhaling slowly, trying not to lash out at every living thing I saw. But the image of Enzo defending her-that pathetic, weak little stray-kept flashing before my eyes.

"Such acts are not tolerated in my pack."

The words echoed in my mind like a curse.

That was what he'd said. To me. In front of her. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming.

No. This wouldn't go unanswered.

We arrived home after a drive that felt longer than necessary, mostly because I was imagining all the different ways I could put that girl in her place. The moment the car stopped, I yanked the door open and marched straight into the house.

"Get every omega in this house into the living room," I barked at the first maid I saw.

She looked startled, but scurried off without question.

Good. At least someone still knew their place.

I paced the tiled floors like a lioness in a cage, my heels echoing in the high-ceilinged corridor. A few minutes later, a line of trembling omegas stood before me-some older, some barely past childhood, all of them with downcast eyes and wringing hands.

Pathetic.

I folded my arms across my chest, staring each one of them down.

"You think just because you're given shelter here, you can start acting like you belong?" I snapped.

No one answered. Of course not.

"I don't know who gave some of you the impression that your place has changed, but let me remind you-you are here because we allow you to be. Nothing more."

Still silence. Eyes flickered nervously.

I continued pacing, my voice climbing higher, sharper. "You speak when spoken to. You don't hover around places you're not wanted. And if I see any one of you even looking at someone above your rank without permission again, I swear I will have you cleaning the stables with your tongue."

A small girl sniffled at the end of the line. I paused, walked over to her slowly.

She looked up at me, terrified.

"You find something funny?" I hissed.

"N-No, ma'am," she whispered.

"Then why are you crying? Did I touch you?"

She shook her head.

"Then wipe your tears and remember who you are." I straightened, turning back to the rest of them. "I expect this entire floor scrubbed before sunset. If I find a single smudge on my carpets, you'll be eating off them next."

Just as I turned to storm off, a knock came from the side door. One of the guards entered, lowering his head.

"Lady Irene, your father requests your presence in the west wing."

Perfect timing.

I waved a hand dismissively. "Get these pests out of my sight," I said before walking off, my blood still boiling.

The walk to the west wing gave me just enough time to get a grip on myself. My father didn't tolerate emotional outbursts. He'd say they were "beneath our name." Still, if there was one person I could talk to and get real results, it was him.

As I walked through the polished halls, I tried to compose my expression-less fury, more control. I wasn't some helpless brat. I was the next Luna-to-be. And if Enzo thought he could disrespect me, he had another thing coming.

He might be Alpha of his pack, but I was Irene. Daughter of Alpha Rowan. And we didn't grovel. We destroyed.

I found Father exactly where I knew he'd be-his private lounge at the far end of the west wing, seated in one of those oversized leather chairs like a king waiting for an audience.

The moment I stepped in, he gestured for the guards to leave. The doors closed behind me with a solid thud.

"Sit," he said without looking up from the files in his hand.

I obeyed, crossing my legs and clasping my hands in my lap like the well-groomed daughter he raised.

He set the files down and finally looked at me, his eyes cool and unreadable. "You'll need to clear your weekend schedule. We're heading to Alpha Baron's estate."

My heart skipped. "This weekend?"

He nodded once. "We're finalizing the wedding arrangements. Baron wants a formal dinner. His wife and Irene's family will all be present. I expect you to behave like a Luna-in-training, not some rebellious brat."

I fought the urge to flinch. "Of course, Father."

He leaned back, scrutinizing me with that sharp stare of his. "You met with Enzo earlier, didn't you?"

I inhaled slowly. "Yes, Father."

He waited.

I debated how much to say. How much to twist. I needed him on my side, not just to gain control over this wedding but to make Enzo pay for humiliating me.

"He was disrespectful," I said finally. "To our pack. To me. He defended a lowborn omega right in front of me. In public."

His brow arched, but he said nothing.

"He humiliated me," I added, forcing just the right amount of emotion into my voice-offended but composed. "As if I were the one out of line."

Father didn't move. Not a blink. Just that hard stare, like he was weighing every word for truth-or weakness.

"I think he needs to be reminded of our place in this alliance," I continued, tilting my chin slightly. "We're not some lesser pack he can insult whenever it pleases him. He should be punished."

His silence stretched for another long beat.

Finally, he spoke, voice low and firm.

"No."

I blinked. "No?"

He stood, turning to pour himself a drink. "Enzo may be young, but he's not a fool. And we don't punish allies-especially not ones we depend on for the defense grid."

I swallowed my protest.

"Whatever personal offense you feel, I suggest you bury it. Deep," he continued. "Because Enzo is off-limits. Do you understand?"

I clenched my jaw. "Yes, Father."

He turned back to me, drink in hand, and sat down. "Good. Now get yourself together. You're representing this family. Make sure you look and act like it."

I stood slowly, smoothing the invisible wrinkles from my skirt.

"Yes, Father."

And just like that, I was dismissed. No justice. No satisfaction. Nothing but a bitter taste in my mouth and a whole weekend of fake smiles and forced laughter ahead of me.

But if they thought I would forget what Enzo did... they didn't know me at all.