Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 111: _ The Soon-to-be Bride

Chapter 111: _ The Soon-to-be Bride

Seriously? Did Álvaro just call ending up with Axel as unlucky?

Pfft!

I choked on a laugh. In my opinion, Camilla was about to become the most unlucky woman on the planet, getting engaged to such a beast.

Yes, ask me and I’d firmly tell you Álvaro was not a man.

Yet, none of them would see this. Not the stupid Camilla, not my father, nobody. They brushed the talk about Axel aside and proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes deciding on a date for the wedding.

Then it’s settled," Don Diego declared. "The wedding will take place in twenty-eight days."

Camila let out a delighted gasp, her hands flying to her chest like she had just been crowned queen. "¡Dios mío! Just twenty-eight days?" she squealed, literally vibrating in her chair. "Oh, I need to start planning immediately! The dress, the decorations, the food—I want the grandest wedding the pack has ever seen."

Álvaro, sitting beside her, smirked. "Don’t worry, mi amor. My family will ensure it is nothing short of spectacular."

"Oh?" Camila blinked at him like he was the Prince Charming in Snow White. "How spectacular are we talking?"

Luna Ana straightened her shoulders, tilting her chin with the same quiet elegance Camila had been trying to imitate her whole life. "Spectacular enough to put every wedding before it to shame," she said smoothly. "A celebration worthy of a future Luna."

Camila made an embarrassing sound—half a squeal and half a breathy sigh. Oh, gosh. I regret having her as a sister at this point.

She was so shameless, to say the least. This was the same man who had publicly rejected you just because you weren’t the ’prettiest’ despite passing all the other requirements of being his mate.

Now, he was here, flanked by his fancy family in fancy clothes, and a fancy car... no apologies whatsoever, just came to announce getting married to you like he was doing you a favor, and you were literally tripping on your feet.

At this rate, I might start to pity Álvaro for he had no idea whom he was marrying. Well, in my opinion—these two were perfect for each other.

The only person who had my pity was Axel. Imagine having Camilla as your sister-in-law and living in the same room with her.

"I knew I was marrying into the right family." She gushed.

My sister was insufferable, but even I had to admit that Álvaro and his family knew exactly how to handle her. Flattery. Expensive promises. Lavish displays of wealth. It was a language she spoke fluently.

Álvaro leaned back, stretching an arm over the back of Camila’s chair. "You deserve the best, Camila. And I always get what I want."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

Even Don Diego looked satisfied, nodding in approval. "Then, I expect the preparations to begin immediately. This wedding must be flawless. Anything less would be an insult to both our families."

Luna Ana offered a gracious smile. "Of course, Don Diego. We wouldn’t have it any other way."

Camila, still floating in a cloud of self-importance, clapped her hands together. "I need to see the seamstress. And the florists. And the musicians! Oh, and the cake—I need to taste the cakes!"

Alpha Tomás chuckled, shaking his head. "You truly are a woman of high expectations."

Camila beamed. "Of course! I can’t settle for less."

I looked at Rosa, wondering how she was handling this conversation. She was staring at Camila with the same unimpressed expression she always wore, arms crossed, fingers tapping against her elbow.

Knowing her, she was mentally tallying up every unnecessary extravagance Camila was planning just so she could criticize it later.

I almost smiled.

But before I could enjoy the moment, my father spoke again. "María José, Rosa," he said, turning to us, "leave us. Álvaro and his bride should spend some time together."

I saw the amusement on Rosa’s face like she was thinking, Let’s see how long it takes before Camila irritates him into regretting this engagement.

It was crazy how Camilla and Rosa teamed up to antagonize me, acting like they were the best sisters in the world, but were secretly in competition with each other.

I bet Rosa’s pride was bruised that once again, Álvaro didn’t pick her. But then, Axel was there to fill her hope and expectations.

She better back off. I was the one who had his mark. Axel was mine.

Once again, the scar itched uncomfortably and I didn’t hesitate to sprawl up. If they wanted me out of this suffocating room, I wasn’t going to argue.

I stood and turned toward the hallway, but before I could leave, Álvaro’s voice stopped me. "María José," he called.

Huh? The obnoxious Alpha heir who had acted as though I didn’t exist all through this family meeting was suddenly calling at me?

I paused, glancing over my shoulder. He was watching me with the same lazy smirk he always wore.

"Try not to miss me too much," he winked.

I blinked.

What the...?!

Miss him? Was he crazy? What the heck was that wink? Where did all of that come from?

Was he doing that to make Camilla jealous? To make himself seem more important than he was and like she had competitors if she didn’t worship at his feet?

I mean, we all knew he did. We knew every girl in the pack would give anything to be in Camilla’s shoes right now.

Well, he better go find one of them to mess with... not me!

Rosa made a choking sound, and Camilla immediately swatted Álvaro’s arm. "Oh, please," she scoffed. "As if María José could ever have a reason to miss you."

I didn’t even dignify that with a response. I simply turned and walked away, hoping this ridiculous engagement wouldn’t turn into an even bigger disaster for Camilla.

I walked briskly down the hallway, my mind buzzing with irritation and unease. I needed to be alone. To breathe. To sit on my bed and let the itch on my scar subside before I lost my mind completely.

But just as my fingers brushed the door handle to my room, Rosa’s voice halted me from behind.

"María José."

I froze.

The way she said my name—it wasn’t casual. It wasn’t mocking, like when she and Camila whispered about me at dinner. No, this was different. Low. Firm. And filled with a tone that made my stomach drop.

I turned slowly, my pulse hammering in my throat. Rosa stood a few feet away, arms crossed, and expression bland.

"Come with me," she said.

I swallowed.

There were very few things I feared in this world. My father’s wrath. The truth about my mark being exposed. The feeling of helplessness when someone stronger than me decided to take control of my life.

And right now, Rosa had just triggered every single one of those fears at once.

My mouth felt dry. "Where?"

She didn’t answer, just turned around and started walking.

I hesitated, my nails pressing into my palms. I could pretend I didn’t hear her. I could run into my room, lock the door, and let her deal with whatever was about to happen on her own.

But no. That wasn’t how this worked.