Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 53

Alpha Baron's POV

“A patrol exchange program. Shared resources. Joint training camps. I want to bring our packs closer before any breach becomes a disaster.” He turned slightly, eyes flicking to Bryan with interest. “Your son offered a particularly... brilliant solution. Suggesting we rotate elite guards between packs, mixing them in at levels where loyalty is tested, but not predictable. He said the traitors would out themselves in unfamiliar environments.”

That made me blink.

Bryan? Came up with that?

I turned to him, eyes narrowed. “You said that?”

Bryan nodded once. “It made sense. If someone’s leaking information from inside, you break their rhythm. Make them report back to unfamiliar handlers. Traitors operate best in patterns. Break that, and they get sloppy.”

Lennox smiled. “He’s right. It’s something even my advisors hadn’t thought of. I think it could work.”

I didn’t know whether to be impressed or suspicious. I studied my son again, searching for sarcasm, some hint of playacting. But I found none. Only a quiet fire in his eyes that dared me to challenge it.

“I’d like him to spearhead the coordination,” Lennox continued. “It’s not just about rank, Baron. Your son has insight. That’s what this requires.”

Henry scoffed lightly behind me, but this time, he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.

“You’re putting a lot of trust in someone you just met,” I said, carefully neutral.

“I trust results. And I trust instinct. Mine tells me he’s more than you give him credit for.”

That stung, not because it was offensive—but because it might be true.

I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I looked at Bryan again, who stood tall, not fidgeting, not looking for approval, just waiting for my word.

“You think you can handle this?” I asked, voice low.

“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I couldn’t,” he replied.

Arrogant. But there was no hesitation.

I leaned back slightly in my chair and folded my arms. “Fine. Coordinate with Henry. He’ll supply whatever you need. But if you screw this up, I’m pulling the reins back myself.”

“I won’t,” Bryan said simply.

Alpha Lennox gave a satisfied nod. “Then it’s settled. I’ll draw up the formal agreements and have them delivered by tomorrow. And don’t worry—I’ll be watching, too. But I trust him.”

Henry shifted uncomfortably.

I remained quiet for a moment longer. Watching. Processing. Measuring.

Then I stood. “Lennox, I’ll walk you out.”

As we stepped outside the conference room and the door closed behind us, Lennox gave me a look that bordered on amused. “You might not like hearing it, Baron, but your son’s got the making of a leader.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it repeated consistently.”

“Fair enough,” he said, mounting his horse with practiced ease. “But sometimes, all it takes is for someone to finally stop looking down on themselves for them to look up. Maybe it’s time you stop looking down on him, too.”

He rode off before I could respond.

I watched the dust settle from his hooves before turning back toward the house, my thoughts swirling like a storm.

Bryan.

What in the hell had gotten into that boy?

And why did I feel... proud?

I shook the thought from my head, but the smile threatened to betray me.

For now, I’d let him try.

But I’d be watching.

Because pride, like power, was not freely given.

It had to be earned. Again and again.

I had just lowered myself into the high-backed leather chair in my study, my fingers drumming on the armrest as I sorted through the pile of documents Henry had left for me earlier. My mind was still circling around Bryan—his sudden display of authority earlier in the day. I couldn’t decide whether to be irritated that it had taken him this long to act like a man or proud that, at last, he was beginning to understand what it meant to be the son of an Alpha.

I was about to summon Henry and Bryan to discuss the next steps for the upcoming council session when my phone rang sharply on the desk. The sound was urgent, almost frantic. I glanced at the screen and frowned. Cyrus Knox.

What could that cocky brat want this late in the evening? The boy was just like his father—sharp-tongued, unafraid to mock, but competent when it came to matters of strength and leadership. If he was calling me, something was wrong.

“Cyrus?” I answered, my voice firm.

There was heavy breathing on the other end. Not the confident, smirking tone he usually had, but something raw and shaken. “Alpha Baron…” His voice cracked halfway through my name.

“What’s wrong?” My tone immediately hardened, my Alpha instincts kicking in.

“It’s—” He stopped for a second, and I could hear the tension in his breath. “It’s my father. Alpha Knox. He collapsed. We were in the middle of overseeing the troop drills, and he just… dropped. We got him inside, but he hasn’t woken up yet. The healer’s trying to stabilize him, but it’s not looking good.”

I froze. Alpha Knox was many things—arrogant, competitive, insufferable at times—but he was also strong. Unshakable. For him to collapse meant something was terribly wrong.

“Listen to me,” I said, leaning forward on the desk, my voice low and commanding. “How long ago did this happen?”

“Twenty minutes ago. I called the healer immediately, but she said his heart rate is unstable. I don’t know what to do, Baron. I—”

“Stay calm, Cyrus,” I interrupted, my tone cutting through his panic like a blade. “Is he still breathing?”

“Yes. Barely. They’ve put him on wolf root tonic to keep his vitals steady, but…” His voice trailed off again, full of fear.

I rubbed a hand over my jaw, my mind already calculating. Knox’s pack was one of the strongest allies we had. If anything happened to him, it wouldn’t just weaken his territory, it would open a door for rogues to attack both our lands. And Cyrus—young, hot-headed Cyrus—was nowhere near ready to lead a pack as vast and complex as his father’s.

“I’ll come to you,” I said firmly.

“What? No, you don’t have to—”

“I’m not asking your permission, boy. Your father is my ally, and I won’t sit back while his health deteriorates.” I pushed myself up from the chair, already reaching for the coat draped over my chair. “Keep him alive until I get there. Do you hear me?”

Cyrus exhaled sharply. “Yes, Alpha. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Good. And, Cyrus—” I paused for emphasis, letting the weight of my next words sink in. “You’re his son. You don’t get to fall apart right now. Do you understand?”

There was a beat of silence, then a shaky, “Yes, Alpha.”

“Good. I’ll be there soon.” I ended the call, my blood thrumming with urgency.

I stormed out of the study, my voice ringing through the hallway. “Henry!”

Within seconds, Henry appeared, his brows knitting when he saw my expression. “What’s wrong, Alpha?”

“Prepare a car. Now. We’re heading to Knox’s territory.”

Henry’s jaw tightened. “Something happened?”

“Knox collapsed. It’s bad. I need to see him.”

Henry gave a quick nod and turned to leave, but I stopped him with a curt, “Send Bryan to my study first. I need a word with him.”

Henry’s brows lifted. “Now?”

“Yes, now.”

A few minutes later, Bryan strolled into my study with his usual mix of defiance and curiosity. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “You called for me?”

“Yes,” I said, my tone brisk. “Get ready. You’re coming with me to Knox’s pack.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“Alpha Knox collapsed. We don’t know if he’s going to make it through the night.”

Bryan straightened, some of his casualness draining from his expression. “Knox? Cyrus’s father?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice flat. “He may be insufferable, but he’s a valuable ally. If something happens to him, it will shake the balance of power in the region. His son isn’t ready to lead.”

Bryan’s gaze sharpened. “Cyrus is strong, but he’s reckless. He doesn’t know when to hold his tongue.”

“Exactly why we need to be there,” I said, grabbing my coat. “This is the kind of moment where true leaders step up. You’ve been showing signs that maybe—just maybe—you have the spine to be more than a spoiled brat. Prove it to me now.”

Bryan smirked faintly, though I could tell he was masking his unease. “Fine. But don’t expect me to hold Cyrus’ hand while he cries.”

“You’ll do as I say,” I snapped. “When we’re in another Alpha’s territory, we act with respect. Do you understand?”

“Got it,” Bryan muttered, though his tone told me he didn’t fully grasp the weight of what I was saying.

We were in the car within minutes, speeding down the forest-lined road that connected our pack to Knox’s. The ride was tense, filled with the hum of the engine and Bryan fidgeting beside me. I kept my thoughts to myself, focusing on the potential chaos Knox’s death could bring.

When we finally arrived, the air outside Knox’s estate was thick with anxiety. Warriors stood at every corner, their faces grim. I could smell the sharp tang of fear in the air—a scent wolves couldn’t hide.

Cyrus was waiting for us at the entrance, his usual smug grin replaced by a pale, strained expression. He bowed quickly. “Alpha Baron. Bryan.”

“Where is he?” I demanded.

“In his chamber. The healer is still working on him.”

“Take me to him. Now.”

Knox’s chamber smelled of herbs and burning sage. He lay on the bed, his chest rising and falling weakly, his once strong frame looking smaller somehow. The healer, an elderly woman with sharp eyes, turned to me as I entered.

“Alpha Baron,” she said with a respectful nod. “He’s stable for now, but it’s touch and go. His heart is strained. Too many years of pushing beyond his limits.”

“Can you heal him?” I asked.

“I can only try. But he needs rest and someone to take over the pack’s duties temporarily.”

I looked at Cyrus, who was standing stiffly by the bedside. “You’re stepping up, whether you like it or not.”

He swallowed hard but nodded. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” I said, clapping him once on the shoulder. “But don’t let your pride get in the way. I’ll be watching you closely.”

By the time Bryan and I left Knox’s chamber, night had fully settled over the estate. Bryan, for once, was quiet—maybe realizing the gravity of leadership. As for me, I couldn’t shake the unease that gnawed at my chest. The wolves were growing restless. Rogues were multiplying. And now one of our strongest allies was on the verge of falling.