Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 349

Kate stretched her arms lazily as the morning sun streamed through the window. She turned to the side, finding the other half of the bed empty.

Jake was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling on his jeans. His broad shoulders tensed as he buttoned them, and without looking at her, he muttered,

“So, what is this, Kate? You call me when you need me, and then you kick me out like I’m some damn delivery service?”

Kate sighed, running a hand through her hair. She had barely gotten any sleep, her mind too consumed with frustration over Ryan. She sat up, the silk sheets pooling around her waist, and rolled her eyes.

“Jake, you knew what this was from the beginning. Don’t act like you expected anything more.”

Jake turned, his jaw tightening. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? You use me when things with Ryan don’t go your way. Every damn time, Kate. And the moment you’re done, you shove me out the door.”

Kate stood, slipping on her robe as she made her way to her closet. “I don’t have time for this. I need to leave.”

Jake scoffed, shaking his head. “Yeah, running back to Ryan, right? You’re so damn obsessed with him, Kate. It’s pathetic.”

Kate whirled around, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Watch your mouth, Jake. This is none of your business.”

Jake let out a bitter laugh, standing up. “None of my business? You call me in the middle of the night, let me in your bed, then treat me like garbage when the sun comes up. You’re not in love with Ryan, Kate. You’re obsessed with winning. That’s all this is.”

Kate’s jaw clenched. “Get out.”

Jake grabbed his shirt from the floor and pulled it over his head, shaking his head in frustration. “You’re gonna end up alone, Kate. Keep this up, and Ryan’s not the only one who’s gonna walk away.”

Kate ignored him, slipping into her dress. She had more important things to deal with than a man whining about feelings. As Jake stormed out, slamming the door behind him, she exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples.

She had to get to Ryan’s house.

By the time she pulled up at Ryan’s driveway, it was still early. The neighborhood was quiet, the only sound being the gentle rustling of leaves in the morning breeze.

She parked her car and quickly went inside using the spare key she still had. The house smelled faintly of his cologne, mixed with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, and it irritated her.

He should have been home last night.

Kate wasted no time heading upstairs to his bedroom. She needed to make it look like she had been there all along.

She stripped out of her dress, pulled on one of her silk pajamas that she had left in his closet, and crawled into his bed, wrapping herself in the covers.

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

Finally, she heard the sound of the front door opening.

She immediately sat up, brushing her hair over her shoulder as she prepared herself.

Ryan walked in a few moments later, looking exhausted. His tie was slightly loosened, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up.

His dark hair was slightly disheveled, but his face remained unreadable as he saw her sitting there, waiting for him.

Kate crossed her arms. “Where the hell were you last night?”

Ryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He really didn’t have the patience for this. “Kate, not now. It’s too early for this.”

Kate swung her legs over the side of the bed, standing up. “Don’t do that, Ryan. Don’t dismiss me like I’m some annoying pest. You didn’t come home last night. Again.”

Ryan turned toward his closet, unbuttoning his shirt as he pulled it off. “I told you, I was at the office.”

Kate scoffed, folding her arms. “Liar. You weren’t at the office, and you know it.”

Ryan didn’t respond, tossing his shirt aside before grabbing a fresh one.

Kate’s voice rose. “Where were you, Ryan?”

He let out a slow breath before turning to her. “Working. I told you already.”

Kate’s lips pressed into a tight line. “And I told you I don’t believe you.”

Ryan met her gaze but didn’t say anything. He had long since learned that arguing with Kate was pointless.

She took a step closer. “You were with Serena, weren’t you?”

Ryan stiffened.

Kate scoffed, shaking her head. “Of course you were. You’re always running to her. Always protecting her. And now you’re even taking her side publicly.”

Ryan frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Kate’s nostrils flared. “You took down my interview, Ryan. Every media outlet had it taken down. That was you, wasn’t it?”

Ryan turned away, buttoning his shirt. “It was garbage. You were running your mouth, dragging Serena through the mud. I wasn’t going to let that stay out there.”

Kate’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Everything I said was the truth!”

Ryan turned back to her, his gaze hard. “No, Kate. It was your version of the truth. A twisted, bitter version. I’m done with these games.”

Kate let out a bitter laugh. “Games? You think I’m playing games? You’re the one playing house with Serena while still stringing me along!”

Ryan rubbed his temples. “I don’t have the energy for this.”

Kate’s frustration boiled over. “You always defend her! No matter what, you always take her side! Is it because of the kid, Ryan? Just because she has a daughter, you’re suddenly acting like she’s some innocent victim?”

Ryan’s jaw clenched. “Careful, Kate.”

Kate let out a sharp breath. “You know what, Ryan? I’m tired. I’m tired of being your girlfriend for all these years with nothing to show for it. I’ve waited. I’ve been patient. But I want more. I deserve more.”

Ryan exhaled. He had a bad feeling about where this was going.

Kate stared at him, her expression serious. “I want to get engaged, Ryan.”

Ryan blinked.

She crossed her arms. “It’s been long enough. I’ve stood by your side, I’ve loved you, and I’ve put up with your bullshit. Now, I need something in return.”

Ryan’s expression remained unreadable, but inside, his frustration grew.

“Kate,” he said, his voice calm, “this isn’t the time to have this conversation.”

Kate scoffed. “Why? Because you don’t want to answer? Because you want to keep leading me on while you run after your ex-wife?”

Ryan sighed, shaking his head. “That’s not what this is about.”

“Then what is it about, Ryan?”

Ryan ran a hand over his face. He was tired. Too damn tired. He didn’t want to have this argument, not now, not ever.

“Kate,” he said firmly, “I don’t want to talk about this right now.”

Kate narrowed her eyes. “So that’s it? You’re just going to avoid me? You’re going to run away from this conversation just like you run to Serena?”

Ryan turned, grabbing his phone from the nightstand. “I’m going downstairs.”

Kate’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious right now?”

Ryan didn’t respond. He was already heading toward the door.

Kate stood there, fuming, as he walked out.

Ryan made his way to the living room, rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn’t leave for work just yet—it was still too early—but he also couldn’t stay in that room with Kate, listening to her push for something he wasn’t ready to give.

He sat on the couch, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Kate was still upstairs, probably throwing a fit, but he didn’t care.

He just needed a moment of peace.