Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 127: _ Absent Álvaro

Chapter 127: _ Absent Álvaro

I breathed out gingerly, running both hands down my face.

"Alright. Enough. We’re not talking about María José anymore."

Hugo chuckled. "Sure."

"I mean it."

"Uh-huh."

I turned toward the window, gritting my teeth. "I have other problems."

"Oh, good." I could hear the smirk in his voice. "Which one do you want to stress about next?"

I stared at nothing in front of me. "Becoming Alpha."

Hugo went quiet for a moment before sighing. "Are you serious about this Alpha thing?"

"No, I just enjoy ruining my own life for fun," I muttered. "Of course, I’m serious."

A low whistle. "Axel, are you trying to start a war?"

"I’m trying to prevent a war." I threw my hands listlessly in the air.

Hugo scoffed. "Oh, is that what we’re calling it now?"

I ignored him. "If Álvaro becomes Alpha, the pack is doomed."

"And you care?"

I didn’t before, but now that I’ve stayed in this bloody pack for so long, I bloody do care!

"Of course, I care! You think I want to be stuck here for the rest of my life? Because that’s exactly what will happen if Álvaro takes over. He’d never let me have what I want. I’d be forever stuck. He won’t let me go."

Hugo rubbed his jaw. "You have a point."

"Of course, I have a point!" I threw my hands up. "I always have a point. I just—" I exhaled through my nose, trying to calm myself down. "The pack needs an Alpha who won’t turn it into a disaster zone. I need an Alpha who will give me what I want."

"And what do you want?" Hugo asked.

I thought for a moment.

"Freedom," I admitted finally. "I want to leave."

Hugo shifted in my mind. "And if you become Alpha?"

"Then I set the rules, set things straight, give the pack members peace and justice, abolish this insane intense hierarchy, and then pass on the post to someone trustworthy. Hell, I hope Luis is better by then and he can come to claim what is rightfully his." I said simply.

"So what’s the plan?"

I clenched my jaw. "I don’t know yet. But it’s not going to be easy."

Hugo snorted. "No kidding. You know, maybe you shouldn’t have turned the post down in the first place."

Argh! This again!

I shot him a glare. "We’re not talking about the past."

"I’m just saying..."

"I said, we’re not talking about the past," I snapped.

I could picture him lifting his hands in surrender.

I took a deep breath, forcing my shoulders to relax. "I’m ready to set things right."

"By ’set things right,’ do you mean ruin your life further?"

I ignored him. "People like Don Diego and my father need to be put in their place. And people like María José..." I paused, my throat tightening at the mention of that girl who was supposed to stay as a younger sister.

Hugo raised a brow. "Yes?"

"They need me," I admitted quietly.

There was a beat of silence. Then, Hugo let out a low laugh. "Damn, Axel. You’ve got it bad."

I turned away. "Shut up."

"I didn’t say anything."

I collapsed onto the bed, letting my body sink into the mattress. "I’m done talking. I need sleep."

Hugo let out an exaggerated sigh. "Finally."

I shut my eyes and tried to clear my mind. But of course, the universe hated me, because the last thing I saw before drifting off was María José’s face.

I wasn’t sure if I could even dare to call her a little sister after all that’s happened.

****

I woke up the next morning feeling like I had been hit by a truck.

Lovely.

I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face, feeling the rough scratch of unshaven stubble. I shoved my face into my pillow, debating whether or not I could just stay here and ignore the world forever. Unfortunately, I knew Hugo would eventually annoy me out of bed if I tried.

I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. Today felt... different.

Today, I was taking a big step.

I didn’t know exactly what that step was yet, but damn it, I was taking it.

With a grunt, I forced myself up and started my morning routine.

Shower. Teeth. Clothes. Avoiding my reflection because I didn’t want to acknowledge how tired I looked.

By the time I was fully dressed, I was awake enough to start strategizing.

I had no idea what the hell I was about to do. But whatever it was, it was going to change everything.

And I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

But I guess I was about to find out.

.

I walked downstairs, rubbing the back of my neck and already regretting being awake.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee and buttered toast was in the air. It would have felt homely if I didn’t live with strangers.

The house was too quiet—unnervingly so. Normally, Álvaro would be here, polluting the space with his presence, acting as if the world owed him a standing ovation just for breathing. But for once, he was gone.

I knew because I couldn’t smell his annoying scent. However, I could tell Mom and Dad were in their seats. If only the morning could just be wholesome and Father was absent as well.

Still, absent Álavro was a plus. For the first time in a long time, I felt something I could call a little peace in this darn house.

Stepping into the dining room, I saw my parents already seated at the long mahogany table. My mother sat at the head in her usual composed elegance.

Her fingers were wrapped around a porcelain teacup. My father, on the other hand, looked like he’d rather be anywhere else, flipping through the morning paper with a scowl deep enough to carve a canyon.

I didn’t particularly want to be here either, but hunger was a cruel motivator.

I pulled out a chair and sat down. "Good morning."

My mother glanced at me over the rim of her teacup. "You seem... in a decent mood."

I grunted, reaching for the basket of bread. "I slept well."

She hummed in response, setting her cup down with a soft clink. "I assume you won’t be asking about your brother."

I smirked, tearing off a piece of bread. "Wouldn’t dream of it."

"You’re not concerned about where he went?"

I popped the bread into my mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Then, after swallowing, I leaned back in my chair and met her gaze. "I don’t care."

Sorry, mamá, but I stopped caring a long time ago.