Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 80

Delta Atlas POV

The gates hadn’t even finished swinging shut behind me when I heard my name being barked from somewhere off to the right.

“Atlas!”

I didn’t even have to turn to know who it was. That voice had a mix of demand and excitement that only Kael could pull off. I’d barely gotten both boots on the courtyard stone before he came striding toward me, that smug grin plastered on his face like he’d just won a bet no one knew about.

He didn’t give me a chance to brush the travel dust from my jacket before he latched onto my arm and started tugging me toward the side of the main house. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” I asked, resisting just enough to make him grunt in annoyance.

“The garden attic,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Why?”

“Because I want details.” His eyes were practically glowing with nosy energy. “You were at the wedding. I wasn’t. I want to know everything.”

I huffed out a laugh, letting him drag me along the gravel path. “If you were that curious, you could’ve just offered to go with Ash.”

He gave me a look over his shoulder, all sharp angles and mock offense. “And miss the chance for you to come back and give me the story firsthand? Please. Besides…” He turned forward again, chin tilting up in exaggerated arrogance. “If the bride saw my handsome face, she might decide to elope with me. Wouldn’t want to cause an international incident.”

I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. “Yeah, that’s exactly what would’ve happened.”

We reached the narrow staircase leading up to the attic that overlooked the gardens. Kael moved fast, his long legs taking the steps two at a time. I followed at a more normal pace, because unlike him, I wasn’t desperate to hear gossip like a bored housewife.

The attic smelled faintly of dried herbs and fresh earth from the gardens below. It had always been a quiet little hideaway — wide windows framing the flowerbeds and trees, sunlight slanting in at just the right angle in the afternoons. Kael flopped into the cushioned bench by the largest window, gesturing for me to sit across from him.

“So?” he prompted, leaning forward with elbows on knees. “How was it?”

I dropped into the opposite bench and stretched my legs out, crossing them at the ankles. “Big. Elaborate. Exactly what you’d expect from Baron trying to make a statement.”

He smirked. “Statement like ‘my son’s wedding is more impressive than yours will ever be’?”

“Something like that.” I gave him the highlights — the overdone floral arrangements, the chandelier that probably cost more than my entire house, the roast boar bigger than a pony. His eyes widened at each new detail, and I could practically see him filing it all away for later retelling.

“Did the bride look happy?” he asked, and there was something almost genuine in the question.

I shrugged. “Hard to tell. She smiled when she was supposed to, stood where she was told to. These alliance marriages are more about politics than feelings.”

Kael made a face, like the thought didn’t sit well with him. “Still. Poor girl.”

I didn’t bother agreeing or disagreeing. Instead, I pushed up from my seat. “Speaking of politics, I’ve got to meet with Enzo. We just got back, and he’ll want a report.”

Kael sprang up too, that gleam back in his eye. “I’ll come with you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re not the only one who gets to talk to the Alpha,” he said, grinning. “Besides, maybe if we show up together, we can corner him.”

“Corner him for what?”

“You know…” He wiggled his eyebrows. “When our pack’s finally going to get a Luna.”

I snorted. “This is why Ash avoids you.”

We left the attic and made our way through the main house, our boots clicking against the polished floors. The scent of parchment and ink grew stronger the closer we got to the study, and sure enough, the heavy door was shut tight. Kael didn’t even hesitate before knocking twice.

“Come in,” Enzo’s voice called from inside.

Kael pushed the door open, stepping in like he owned the place. I followed, trying not to smirk at the way Enzo’s eyes immediately narrowed at the sight of us together.

“This had better be important,” Enzo said, setting down the papers in his hand.

I gave a respectful nod. “I wanted to give you my report from the wedding.”

“And I,” Kael added, “wanted to ask when we’re getting a Luna.”

Enzo’s gaze slid to him, flat and unimpressed. “Get out.”

Kael grinned wider. “Come on, Alpha, you’ve been dodging the question for years. The pack’s starting to wonder.”

I couldn’t resist piling on. “He’s not wrong. People do talk.”

Enzo slowly leaned back in his chair, his expression the picture of someone calculating exactly how much effort it would take to kill a gamma and Delta and then hide the bodies. “Carry yourselves out in one piece,” he said evenly, “or I’ll piece you myself. I’m busy.”

Kael chuckled. “Touchy subject, huh?”

“Out,” Enzo repeated, sharper this time. Then he added, “And before either of you decide to get cute again — you’re both in charge of preparing the pack’s annual celebration.”

Kael’s smirk faltered. “The whole thing?”

Enzo’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Every last detail. Now leave.”

I gave a short nod, already turning toward the door. “Understood.”

Kael followed, muttering under his breath about unfair punishments and power abuse. I didn’t bother reminding him that he’d brought it on himself. Some lessons, you just let people learn the hard way.