Rejected By My Mate; Claimed By Lycan Quadruplets Chapter 97

Lisa's POV

I stood before the mirror, smoothing down the uniform Calla had given me. The fabric clung neatly against my body, plain yet clean. For a moment, I just stared at my reflection, tilting my head slightly to the side. My brown eyes were tired from the lack of sleep, but I forced them to glisten. My lips tugged upward until a bright smile broke across my face.

“You’ll be fine,” I whispered to myself. “Just smile. Just… keep smiling.”

The sound of the horn blowing outside shook me out of my thoughts. My heart skipped. That was the signal. Guests were arriving. I pressed my hands over my uniform, inhaled deeply, and rushed out of the maid’s quarter.

The courtyard buzzed with life. The strong scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the faint aroma of roasted meat coming from the kitchen halls. The other maids moved swiftly, arranging themselves. I joined them, my practiced smile in place.

“Remember, Lisa,” Calla’s voice whispered as I got into line beside her, “just direct them properly. Keep your tone light and warm.”

I nodded quickly. “I’ll do my best.”

“Good,” she said, giving my arm a quick squeeze before straightening up.

The heavy gates opened, and carriages began to pull in, one after the other, sleek and polished. Guards bowed their heads as alphas stepped out, their presence commanding without effort. My palms grew clammy, but I kept the same bright smile plastered across my face.

“Welcome,” I said cheerfully to the first couple that stepped down, inclining my head politely. “This way, please, to the hall.”

The Alpha’s wife gave me a pleasant nod, her sharp eyes softening just slightly as she regarded me. I motioned with my hand, guiding them along the stone path toward the decorated hall entrance.

One by one, guests arrived. I greeted each of them with the same warmth, bowing my head just enough to show respect without appearing timid. Several alphas chuckled, whispering compliments.

“She has a bright smile, doesn’t she?” one of them said aloud as he passed, his voice rich with approval.

“Yes, very welcoming,” another responded.

Each word made my heart flutter nervously, but I kept my expression steady.

Minutes passed, and I found myself easing into the rhythm of it. My fear began to ebb, replaced by determination. This was my chance to prove I was capable, not just some useless omega lingering around.

Then I saw them.

Bryan and Irene.

My smile faltered for the briefest second before I forced it back. They were walking hand in hand, the picture of unity, her arm looped through his with deliberate elegance. Irene’s chin was slightly lifted, her lips curved in that haughty way she always carried herself. My chest tightened, but I kept my position, lips stretched into another smile as if nothing was wrong.

Their footsteps slowed as they drew closer to me. My stomach knotted. Bryan’s eyes flickered to mine for the shortest moment before darting away. Irene, however, fixed her gaze right on me, sharp and glinting with disdain.

She stopped in front of me.

The air shifted.

Her hand shot out without warning, cracking across my cheek with a sharp slap. The sound echoed, pulling startled gasps from the nearby maids and even a few alphas. My head whipped to the side, my cheek burning hot.

“You dare give me attitude?” Irene’s voice rang out, shrill and dripping with venom.

My mouth parted, but no sound came out. I hadn’t done anything—nothing but smile. But Irene’s eyes narrowed as if she had seen something in me worth punishing.

My chest rose and fell sharply, but before I could respond, her hand waved sharply toward a maid standing nearby with a tray. The poor girl froze, clutching the tray that carried small bowls of chili sauce prepared for the feast.

“You!” Irene barked. “Bring it here.”

The maid hesitated, trembling. “My lady—”

“Now!” Irene screamed, her voice slicing through the air.

The maid obeyed reluctantly, stepping closer. My eyes widened as Irene snatched a bowl off the tray, the thick red sauce gleaming ominously in the afternoon light.

Without a second thought, she poured it straight onto me.

The searing liquid splattered against my uniform, staining the pale fabric deep crimson. It dripped down my arms, soaking into my skin with an uncomfortable stickiness. Gasps erupted all around. My throat tightened as humiliation rose like a storm within me.

“You filthy omega,” Irene hissed, tossing the empty bowl aside with a clatter. “You think smiling at alphas makes you important? That it makes you desirable?”

My lips trembled. “I—”

Before I could finish, her hand struck me again, this time against my shoulder, shoving me backward. I stumbled, almost slipping on the slick sauce beneath my feet. The other alphas stepped forward, some trying to calm her.

“My lady, please—” one of them urged, reaching out.

But Irene shoved his hand away, fury lighting her features. “Stay out of this!” she snapped. “She thinks she can compete with me. She thinks she can seduce Bryan with her pathetic little smiles.”

My head whipped toward Bryan. His face was pale, his mouth pressed into a thin line. “Irene,” he muttered, stepping closer, “that’s enough. Let her go.”

“Let her go?” Irene turned to him, laughing bitterly. “Oh, Bryan, you defend her so easily. Why? Because you’ve already had her? Is that it?”

My eyes widened in horror. “What?! No! That’s not—”

Her hand collided with me again, cutting off my words.

The crowd was restless now. Whispers spread like wildfire, scandal pouring into every corner of the courtyard.

“She said Bryan and the omega…?”

“Impossible… but why would she—”

“Could it be true?”

The weight of their stares pressed heavily against me, suffocating. I tried to shake my head, to deny it, but Irene wasn’t done. She snatched another bowl from the tray, flinging its contents onto me. More sauce splattered, burning into my eyes, making them sting.

“You disgusting little thing,” Irene spat. “I’ll expose you for what you are.”

Some of the Luna guests began shouting too, voices sharp and cruel.

“Shameful!”

“An omega, seducing an Alpha?!”

“Throw her out!”

Someone hurled a small ornament from the decorated table toward me. It struck my leg, making me flinch. Another followed—a piece of bread, a goblet, anything within reach. Soon objects were flying, pelting against me one after another. My arms lifted instinctively to shield my head as tears blurred my vision.

“Stop it!” Bryan’s voice rose sharply this time, filled with urgency. He tried to reach for Irene’s arm, but she wrenched it away.

“No, Bryan!” she screamed, her face contorted with rage. “If you dare side with her, you’ll regret it. Let everyone see the kind of slut she is.”

The words pierced me deeper than any object thrown. My chest ached as humiliation consumed me. The sting of sauce and bruises was nothing compared to the searing pain of their judgment.

Still, I forced myself to stand upright, trembling but unyielding. My lips quivered, but I bit them until the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. I wouldn’t give Irene the satisfaction of watching me crumble.

“Enough!” one Alpha barked finally, stepping forward with authority. His presence cut through the chaos momentarily. “This is disgraceful behavior for a gathering.”

But Irene only sneered. “Disgraceful? She is the disgrace! Bryan and his pet omega should be ashamed.”

Her words struck like knives, but I kept my chin slightly raised, even as sauce dripped from my hair and uniform, even as laughter and insults rained down. Inside, I- was breaking apart piece by piece. But outwardly, I clung to the one thing I could control—my silence.

My silence, and my trembling, fragile smile.