Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 61

Lisa's POV

I was curled up on my bed, one leg tucked under me, absentmindedly running my fingers along the seams of my pillow when a knock came at my door.

Before I could answer, Calla popped her head in, grinning like she’d just won a lottery.

“Guess what I brought,” she said in that singsong tone she used whenever she wanted to bribe me into doing something.

I sat up. “If it’s anything green and pretending to be healthy, take it back.”

She stepped inside, holding up a tray with chips and a bottle of juice. “Do I look like I’m trying to torture you? It’s the salted kind you like.”

I reached over quickly, grabbing the chips before she could change her mind. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. You may enter.”

She laughed, closing the door behind her and settling onto the chair by my desk. I popped a chip into my mouth, savoring the salty crunch, but the way she kept shifting in her seat didn’t escape me.

I narrowed my eyes. “Alright, what’s wrong with everyone lately? People are walking around like they’re expecting a hurricane. Did someone die and no one told me?”

Calla winced. “No, nothing like that. It’s… there’s going to be a major meeting soon. Between the alphas.”

I paused mid-chew. “Major meeting?”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Big one. Some of the most influential alphas will be arriving here today or tomorrow. Alpha Enzo’s been making preparations non-stop.”

I swallowed, curiosity pricking at me. “So… who exactly is coming?”

She began ticking names off her fingers. “Alpha Baron. Alpha Rowland. Alpha Knox. And a few others you wouldn’t know but trust me, they’re important.”

I leaned forward. “That’s huge. I should join in greeting them—”

Before I could even finish, she shook her head rapidly. “No. Enzo said not to include you in the greeting party.”

I froze, blinking. “Excuse me?”

“His words exactly,” Calla said, looking apologetic. “Something about it not being necessary for you to be there.”

I scoffed, tossing another chip into my mouth. “Not necessary? I live here, don’t I? What’s the harm in standing at the gate and smiling like everyone else?”

“You know how Enzo is,” she sighed. “If he says no, it means no. I’m just the messenger.”

I muttered under my breath, “More like the barrier.”

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, though irritation was already simmering in my chest. So he could host a grand welcome for every alpha in the region, but I had to hide away like some invisible ornament?

By late afternoon, the air in the villa changed entirely. The servants were moving faster, their voices hushed but urgent. I slipped out of my room, ignoring Calla’s earlier warning, and peeked down the main hallway.

From my vantage point, I could see the grand doors thrown open and servants lined up on either side of the entrance. The sound of engines rumbled outside before several sleek cars rolled up the driveway.

The first to step out was a tall man with a strong build and sharp features—Alpha Baron, I assumed. His presence was so commanding that the servants seemed to shrink as he passed. Another man followed, his expression more guarded, his eyes scanning everything—probably Alpha Knox.

I stayed perfectly still, half-hidden behind a decorative pillar, just close enough to see without being spotted. Enzo emerged from the entrance to greet them, his usual calm demeanor in place.

I didn’t linger long—there was only so much standing in shadows I could tolerate—so I slipped away quietly and headed toward the garden. If I couldn’t be part of the grand welcome, I could at least enjoy the peace while everyone else was distracted.

The garden was one of my favorite places here, especially during the quiet hours when no one was pruning hedges or sweeping paths. The flowers had grown wild in some corners, and the air was thick with the scent of jasmine. I walked along the narrow path, dragging my fingers over the petals of a rose bush, letting the tension drain from my shoulders.

That was when I heard it—my name, but not in a friendly tone.

“Lisa.”

I froze. That voice…

Turning slowly, I saw Bryan standing a few feet away, his posture loose but his eyes sharp. The smirk on his lips told me exactly what he was here for.

Just perfect.

Of all the people I could run into, it had to be him.

“Well, well,” he said, strolling closer, “didn’t think I’d find you hiding out here. Afraid to face the important guests?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. I already knew how this would go if I let him take the lead—mockery, thinly veiled insults, and probably a reminder of how little he thought of me.

Not today.

I straightened my back. “You’re mistaken. I’m not hiding. I’m enjoying the garden.”

He raised a brow. “Sure you are. Or maybe Enzo told you to keep out of sight so you wouldn’t embarrass him?”

The jab was sharp, meant to sting, but I kept my expression neutral. I reminded myself—this wasn’t his pack. I wasn’t an omega under his command here. He couldn’t talk down to me unless I let him.

“You must think I’m still that quiet little thing you could walk over,” I said evenly. “Newsflash—I’m not. And you don’t get to come here and throw your insults at me like you own the place.”

His smirk faltered, just for a fraction of a second. “Oh? Did the little lamb grow teeth?”

“If I did,” I said, stepping closer so I was looking him dead in the eye, “it’s because people like you taught me how to bite back.”

For a moment, there was silence between us, the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves filling the space. His gaze scanned my face as if he was trying to figure out whether I was bluffing.

I wasn’t.

“Careful, Lisa,” he said finally, though his voice was softer than before. “You’re starting to sound like you think you can match me.”

“I don’t need to match you,” I replied, turning away from him. “I just need to remind you that I’m not your omega. Not here, not ever.”

And with that, I walked off, leaving him standing there in the middle of the garden.

It wasn’t until I rounded the corner and leaned against a wall that I let myself exhale. My heart was racing, but not from fear—from the thrill of not letting him win.

The look on his face… he hadn’t expected that.

For once, it felt good to leave him with no words.