Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 41

Alpha Enzo's POV

The sun hadn't even climbed halfway across the sky when my study door creaked open with a knock that told me one thing—Rowland was early.

As expected.

I didn't bother looking up. My fingers kept flipping through the parchment-lined report Kael had compiled last night—meticulous, detailed, and exactly what I needed to verify troop positions and border strength. It wasn't until I heard his boots cross the threshold that I finally shut the file.

"Rowland," I said, gesturing to the leather seat across from me. "You've either come early because you're desperate or bored."

The older Alpha chuckled, his salt-and-pepper beard twitching slightly as he dropped into the seat. "You wound me, Enzo. I'm neither. Just a man trying to hold his pack together."

I raised a brow. "I assume you didn't travel all this way to exchange pleasantries."

He sighed, shoulders sinking slightly under the weight of his coat. "We've had three more rogue incursions this month. My men are tired. Our border is holding, but barely."

That much, I already knew.

Rowland's territory was directly south of ours. A fertile stretch of land—resource-rich, but exposed. He had capable warriors, yes, but his pack had never fully recovered after the last regional war. Too many widows. Not enough sons. Too much soil soaked in blood that should've been spent wisely.

"And you've come to ask for what, exactly?" I asked, folding my hands.

"Support," he replied. "Manpower. Weaponry, if you can spare it. But more than that—an official alliance."

My jaw tensed slightly. Not at the request, but at the implications. An alliance with Rowland meant more than just logistics. It was visibility. It was politics. It was debt—mutual or otherwise.

"And what do you offer in return?" I asked calmly.

"Land use," he said. "Access to our southern port. And neutrality in the coming elections when the Elder Council selects their new head."

I leaned back slightly, rubbing my jaw thoughtfully. "You assume I'll support one of the candidates?"

He gave me a long look. "You always do. Even if your name's never on the ballot."

A pause.

Then I nodded slowly. "I'll consider it."

He seemed to exhale, shoulders loosening a notch. "I'll take 'consider' over a no any day."

We were silent for a beat. The tension between us is not hostile—just thick with understanding. We both led packs. We both knew what it meant to send young men to die for soil. We'd both buried brothers for the sake of peace that never lasted.

I was about to respond when a knock came on the door.

Firm. Clipped. Ash.

"Enter," I called.

The door swung open, and my Beta stepped inside, looking as composed as ever. He didn't glance at Rowland; he just addressed me with the same formality he always wore.

"Alpha," he said, "Irene is here. She requests an audience."

I blinked. Once. Then let out a breath through my nose.

Of course she is.

The woman had a way of appearing like an unwanted fog—silent, pressing, and impossible to ignore.

"I'm in a meeting," I said.

"She insists," Ash replied. "Says it's urgent."

I looked at him, then at Rowland, then back again.

"Attend to her," I said. "You're more patient than I am."

For a moment, Ash didn't move. Then, without another word, he bowed slightly and turned on his heel.

"She's the daughter of one of my allies, isn't she?" Rowland asked once Ash was gone.

I nodded. "Baron has chosen Luna-to-be for his son."

"And yet she runs to your pack for attention."

I gave a thin smile. "Some people enjoy playing with fire. Even if they can't handle the burn."

"She's going to cause trouble," Rowland said bluntly.

"She already has."

I didn't elaborate. No need. Rowland had his own messes; he didn't need mine layered on top.

We circled back to discussing territory disputes and militia rotations. I took mental notes of what he needed and what it would cost me to deliver. Every word, every agreement—carefully weighed.

An hour passed. Maybe more.

By the time Rowland stood and offered his hand, the sun had begun to dip into late morning. I rose and shook it firmly.

"I'll have Ash draw up the logistics," I told him. "Expect confirmation by week's end."

"Much appreciated," he said with genuine relief. "You've always been a man of your word, Enzo."

"Let's keep it that way."

He departed soon after, his guards falling into place beside him as he left the estate.

The moment the door shut behind him, I sat back in my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose.

Rowland's request had been expected, but the timing was tight. With the rogue issue crawling closer to our gates and the council elections looming, I couldn't afford to gamble on too many alliances.

And then, there was Irene.

I stood and walked to the sideboard to pour myself a glass of water. No liquor yet. My mind needed clarity, not clouding.

Ash hadn't returned, which meant he was still dealing with her.

I didn't envy him.

She was sharp-tongued and demanding, but worse than that—she was persistent. And persistence, in my world, often led to recklessness.

I sipped the water, staring out the tall windows that framed the eastern wing. Below, I could see the garden—still and well-manicured. A perfect illusion of peace. If only the rest of the world worked that way.

I returned to my desk, made notes about troop rotations, and jotted down recommendations for Kael once he was up and moving again. The boy had grit, but injuries like his couldn't be ignored.

Another knock.

This time softer.

Ash stepped in, and I immediately noted the flicker of irritation behind his otherwise calm eyes.

"She left," he said.

"I take it she didn't get what she wanted?"

"She wanted to know if your offer still stood. The one you never made."

I huffed. "And what did you say?"

"I said the Alpha was not interested in being involved in another pack's marriage drama."

"Good."

He didn't sit. Just stood there, arms folded behind his back, watching me like he was waiting for something else.

"You think I made a mistake?" I asked.

"No," he said. "But I think she's not used to hearing 'no.' And people like that often lash out."

"I'm not afraid of her lashing out."

"I know. But sometimes, it's not about fear. It's about inconvenience."

I smirked faintly. "You make a good politician, Ash."

"I try."

I returned to my seat, finished the last of the water, and set the glass down.

"Send for Kael's progress report later," I said. "And make sure the guards on the eastern border rotate in twos starting tonight."

Ash nodded. "Will do."

As he left, I turned slightly in my chair and let the silence settle in.

The world was changing fast.

Rogues. Alliances. Traitors in high places.

And a girl who fainted after witnessing me end a life.

Lisa.

Her name brushed my mind like a whisper I hadn't invited. I tried to shove it aside but failed.

There was something different about her. Something I couldn't quite name. Not innocence. Not strength. Not even fear.

Just... presence.

It lingered. Like a question waiting to be asked.

But for now, there were more urgent matters. Alpha Rowland would need support. And Baron's heir was still too immature to stand on his own.

And me?

I had no interest in distractions.