Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 95

Lisa's POV

I jolted awake to the shrill sound of the alarm, its piercing ring slicing through the quiet of my small room. My hand fumbled across the wooden nightstand until I found the clock, shutting it off with a groggy sigh. The morning had arrived too soon, and my bones ached with the exhaustion of yesterday’s endless chores. But today wasn’t just any day—it was the day the celebration truly began, and I knew every servant in the estate would be expected to move faster, work harder, and appear more flawless than ever before.

I pushed myself upright, rubbing my eyes before swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The wooden floor was cold beneath my feet, sending a shiver up my spine. No time to linger. I needed to move. With practiced swiftness, I pulled on a fresh set of clothes, washed my face, and tied my hair back into a neat braid. By the time I looked into the mirror, I already looked like a maid ready to serve, though there was still that tired shadow beneath my eyes. No amount of splashing water could erase that.

I stepped out into the corridor, the brisk morning air carrying faint scents of herbs and lingering polish. The estate was already awake. I could hear footsteps in the distance, muffled voices, and the clatter of utensils from the kitchens. Hugging my shawl closer around my shoulders, I quickened my pace, heading toward the maid’s quarters.

Halfway down the long hallway, I caught sight of Calla. She was moving quickly as usual, her dark hair tied up and her arms clutching a basket filled with folded linens. She spotted me immediately, raising her brows.

“Lisa,” she called out, pausing just enough for me to catch up to her. “You’re finally awake. I thought you might’ve overslept today.”

I frowned. “Oversleep? With that alarm blaring in my ears? I could’ve sworn the entire estate heard it.”

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Well, good thing. You’ll need every second of the day. Everyone’s already in the kitchen. The preparations started before dawn.”

Her words made me press my lips together. I should’ve been there sooner, helping the others. Being late, even slightly, could be seen as laziness, and I couldn’t afford that reputation. I nodded at her, adjusting my braid over my shoulder. “Then I should hurry. I’ll meet you there after you drop those off.”

Calla gave me a small smile. “Go on. I’ll join you soon.”

I rushed down the hall, my footsteps echoing lightly against the tiled floor until the scent of flour, yeast, and sizzling oil grew stronger. By the time I pushed open the kitchen doors, the entire place was alive with motion.

Dozens of maids were busy at work—kneading dough, stirring large pots, chopping vegetables, and carrying trays of neatly cut fruits. The noise was overwhelming: the clang of pots, the scrape of knives, the hiss of boiling water. Voices overlapped as orders were called out and confirmations echoed back. The kitchen was a whirlwind, and yet somehow it functioned like a well-oiled machine.

I wasted no time slipping into the rhythm. One of the older cooks waved me over, and I joined her in shaping rolls from the rising dough. The soft texture stuck lightly to my fingers as I worked, my hands moving with practiced ease. From there, I moved on to preparing trays of pastries, brushing their tops with egg wash before sliding them into the hot ovens.

The heat of the kitchen soon made my skin damp with sweat, but I ignored it. This was familiar. This was normal. In a way, it was grounding—losing myself in the work, focusing on each task, making sure everything was perfect. The celebration was too important for mistakes.

As I pulled a tray of golden-brown bread from the oven, a sudden noise rang out behind me. A sharp crash followed by a cry of pain. Every head in the kitchen snapped toward the sound.

My heart lurched, and I quickly set the tray down before hurrying with the others toward the source of the commotion. Near the doorway, one of the younger servants lay on the floor, clutching her ankle. A serving tray was overturned beside her, its contents scattered across the tiles.

“Oh no,” Calla’s voice broke through the murmurs as she rushed in behind us. She crouched beside the girl, her brows knitted with worry. “What happened?”

“She slipped,” one of the other maids explained, wringing her hands nervously. “She was hurrying with the tray… and then—her foot twisted.”

The girl on the floor whimpered, her face pale as she tried to sit up. “I—I can’t move it. It hurts.”

Calla touched the injured ankle gently, and the servant cried out. The swelling was already starting, and it was clear the bone was injured. My chest tightened with sympathy. This girl was supposed to be one of the greeters—stationed at the entrance to welcome arriving guests with perfect posture and grace. Now she could barely move.

“What are we going to do?” one of the older maids whispered, panic rising in her tone. “The alphas will arrive soon. We can’t have a missing greeter. It’s not acceptable.”

Calla bit her lip, worry flashing in her eyes. “What do we tell Alpha Enzo? He personally assigned her. We can’t replace her so easily—”

Before I could think, my voice broke through. “I’ll do it.”

Every gaze turned to me.

I swallowed, forcing myself to stand straighter despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. “I’ll take her place. I’m the only one here without an assigned role right now. Everyone else is needed where they are.”

The kitchen fell quiet for a moment, the weight of my offer settling in the air. Then Calla stood slowly, her expression caught between hesitation and relief. “Lisa… are you sure? Greeting guests is no small task. You’ll be right at the entrance. Everyone will see you. Including the alphas.”

Her warning only made my pulse quicken. The thought of standing there, face-to-face with people of such high standing, made my throat dry. But I held her gaze and nodded. “I can do it. I’ve watched others before, and I know how it’s done. I won’t let you down.”

Calla studied me for a long moment, then exhaled softly. “Alright. You’re right—we don’t have time to waste. And you do carry yourself well enough for the role.”

She turned to one of the other maids. “Go fetch a greeter’s uniform for Lisa. Make sure it’s pressed and spotless. She needs to change immediately.”

The maid nodded quickly and scurried off.

Calla turned back to me, her voice firm but not unkind. “Lisa, get yourself ready. Once the horn blows, you’ll need to be at the entrance. Walk with grace, keep your head slightly lowered, and remember—smile, but not too much. You’re there to welcome, not to draw attention.”

My stomach fluttered with nerves, but I nodded again, trying to keep my breathing steady. This was it. A chance to be useful, to step forward when no one else could.

“Go on,” Calla urged softly. “We’ll handle things here. Just be prepared. Once that horn sounds, everything will move quickly.”

I glanced once more at the injured servant being helped to a bench, then straightened my shoulders. The day had only just begun, and already it was taking a turn I hadn’t expected. I was about to stand in the very place where all eyes would fall first.

And whether I was ready or not, I would greet the guests of Alpha Enzo’s estate.