Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 134: _ Stepping into Politics

Chapter 134: _ Stepping into Politics

I smiled at the gossip mongers, all teeth and no warmth. "Please, enlighten me. What exactly happened?"

"N-Nothing, Señor Axel!" the first one stammered.

"Nothing?" I repeated. "That’s funny. Because I definitely heard you talking about a cursed Omega. That wouldn’t happen to be a graceful daughter of the De La Vega family named María José, would it?"

I received silence as an answer. Good enough.

I took a step forward. They took a step back.

"I’m going to say this once." My voice was calm, but Hugo boiled beneath my skin, itching to break free. "If I ever hear you—or anyone else bad-mouthing her again, I will personally ensure that the only job you’ll ever get is scrubbing pig troughs with your bare hands."

They looked like they wanted to cry.

"Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes, Señor Axel!" they chorused.

I bared my teeth, gnashing them together. "Good. Now get out of my sight."

They scurried off like terrified rats.

Hugo let out a satisfied buzz. "Not bad. I approve."

"Why the hell were you itching to come out over those little rats anyway?" I asked, confused.

Usually, our wolves would ask to take over if the situation was life-threatening or required intense physical strength. But this was just a verbal confrontation.

My confusion would have been cleared had Hugo chosen to respond, but trust my annoying wolf to grab onto any chance to showcase his irritating tendency.

I stood there for a moment, inhaling deeply and trying to calm the anger still burning inside of me.

But I couldn’t.

Because no matter how much I tried to deny it, this was proof.

María José was important to me.

Whether it was love or not—I didn’t know.

But one thing was certain.

I cared.

And that alone was dangerous.

I exhaled and headed downstairs. My mind was already a mess, and I hadn’t even seen María José yet.

Fantastic.

.

I descended the grand staircase, still simmering from my encounter with the maids. My steps were slow as my mind was filled with a mess of thoughts.

María José, the politics of my pack, the fact that I was willingly walking into another disaster; because let’s be honest, when did anything in my life ever go smoothly?

The main hall was unusually loud. I could almost see the tension in the energy. I was going to carefully observe and figure out what could be going on when I saw...

My father, standing tall with a stone cold expression. Álvaro, dressed like he’d just stepped out of a goddamn royal court with his presence radiating that irritating superiority that made me want to throw him down a flight of stairs.

And beside them was the Delta who had a grim expression on his face.

Huh? The Alpha, Delta, and the... Urm, what the hell was Álvaro again? The Acting Alpha Heir? All in one place and it wasn’t a council meeting?

Something must have gone wrong in the pack.

The three of them were hurrying inside urgently. Okay, scratch that. Something was definitely wrong.

I reached the last step just as they spotted me. My father was busy talking to the Delta. "We need to move quickly. If this is what I think it is..."

He stopped when he picked on my scent, his sharp gaze flicking to me. "Axel."

I straightened instinctively, out of old habit. "Father."

I gave the Delta a respectful nod, but the man barely responded. His attention seemed to be elsewhere.

Álvaro, however, was less subtle. His eyes darkened with irritation the moment he saw me. "Perfect. Just what we need."

I smirked. "Good morning to you too, dear brother."

He ignored me and turned to Father. "We don’t have time for distractions."

My father didn’t even look at him. "Axel, since you’ve suddenly decided you’re interested in politics, you’re coming with us."

I squinted, crossing my arms in front of me. "Oh..."

I didn’t expect Father to give in to my request this easily. It almost seemed like I was his choice for Alpha all along and he didn’t have a choice but to train Álvaro up for it since I was unwilling.

And then, he hated me for declining the post. A position I had watched him killed for. What? Since he knew I had seen him bare—in his most horrible version at such a tender age, he felt closer to me than Álvaro?

Thought I had the balls and just pretended like I didn’t? Or would that make him feel better about himself?

About what he did? Help with the guilt? It would help keep my judgemental gazes all through the years at bay.

After all, I had decided to participate in the same game of corruption.

Álvaro let out a humorless laugh, breaking my thoughts. "You can’t be serious, papá."

"Oh, but I am." My father’s voice was firm, brooking no argument.

Álvaro took an abrupt step forward. "You’re bringing him to a political meeting? Him?" He pointed at me like I was a stray dog that had wandered inside the palace. "He can barely keep his own life together, and now you want him involved in pack affairs?"

I placed a hand over my chest, feigning offense. "I am right here, you know."

Álvaro ignored me, looking to the Delta for support. "Tell him. Tell him this is a mistake."

The Delta looked skeptical. His gaze flickered between us, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something important.

But in the end, he merely exhaled and said, "Are you sure, Alpha? Perhaps we should reconsider."

I rolled my eyes. Great. Everyone was doubting me. Nothing new.

But my father—he was different today. He turned his full attention to the Delta, his voice steady as a mountain. "My first son has finally decided to take responsibility. If he’s vying for the Alpha post alongside his brother, then he must be included in political discussions."

He seemed proud. Like finally, both of his sons had proved responsible. Like he’d finally be able to sit in noble meetings and boast about how his two sons were exemplary figures.

How they were heavily competing for the Alpha position and could do anything for the pack.

Fuck, this was all about power in the end. Fucking power and pride.