Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 137: _ Don’t Need Your Help

Chapter 137: _ Don’t Need Your Help

Álvaro’s laughter at my vow was not entirely surprisingly but that still didn’t fail to make it an annoying sound.

"Oh, Axel," he sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "You know, I just love delusional boys." He tilted his head at me, his smirk widening. "Seriously, it’s adorable."

I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palms.

"Why don’t you do us all a favor and leave?" He continued, waving a lazy hand toward the door. "Let the men have their man talk, sí?"

The Delta, who had been silent through most of the exchange, finally exhaled and uncrossed his arms. "Why don’t we all just calm down..."

"No," my father interrupted.

His voice was a low command that had the Delta snapping his mouth shut. His sharp gaze cut to me, assessing and measuring me.

Then he steepled his fingers beneath his chin, the way he always did when he was about to make a decision that would screw someone over.

"Axel, You have a choice."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

His lips curved in a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. "Join us. Be a part of this—of what we are building here. Or forget about ever winning the Alpha position against Álvaro."

Álvaro let out a scoff, shifting in his chair. "You mean forget about ever winning the Alpha position, period. It belongs to me. Always has." He turned toward our father, gesturing wildly. "Why are we even entertaining this nonsense? Why are you even considering him? The position is mine by right!"

Father didn’t even spare him a glance. His focus was solely on me.

I met his gaze head-on.

A choice.

That’s what he called it.

But I knew better.

This wasn’t a choice. This was a command in disguise. A leash he was attempting to slip around my throat, tightening it just enough that I’d feel the pressure but not enough to call it what it truly was; an attempt to control me.

I had spent my whole life fighting against the cages this family built for me. I wasn’t about to walk into another.

I bit the inside of my cheek, my decision crystallizing in my mind.

I would find the killer myself.

I would investigate the murder on my own.

And I would become Alpha—without my father’s help.

I straightened, tilting my head. "I don’t need you to become Alpha, papá. And I certainly don’t need your approval."

Then, without waiting for his response, I turned around and stormed out of the room.

Bloody clowns!

The morning had given way to the noon now as I stepped outside. The warm early noon air played on my skin as I took a deep breath, letting the crispness settle into my lungs before exhaling. Then, finally, I let my emotions bubble to the surface.

"Rotten," I muttered, shaking my head. "Every single one of them."

Hugo let out a low whistle. "I’m just glad you didn’t take the offer. For a second, I thought you’d actually consider it."

I wished to hell that I could shoot him a glare. "What do you take me for?"

"A Montenegro," he replied nonchalantly. "Which means there’s always a chance of corruption."

Why did I feel hurt by that? By now, Hugo should have known that I was nothing like those men. I was only a Montenegro by name and by blood.

I rolled my eyes. "Please."

Hugo smirked. "Either way, this is exciting."

I frowned. "What exactly is exciting about this?"

"The murder, obviously. Get to investigate a real case, track down the killer, uncover dark secrets—maybe even get into some fights. The thrill of it all."

I scoffed at him, deadpan. "You do realize someone actually died, right?"

"Yes, yes. But still. It’s not every day we get a proper mystery to solve."

I groaned. "You’re impossible."

"I like to think of myself as optimistic."

"Delusional is more like it."

Hugo clicked his tongue thoughtfully. "So, where to, detective?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose before muttering, "Luis’s."

.

.

Luis’s little cottage was quieter than usual when we arrived. The last time I had been here, Rosario had been snoring so loud I thought the walls were vibrating.

This time?

I opened the front door, and stepping inside... only to be greeted by a sight I was absolutely unprepared for.

Rosario was dancing.

And not just any kind of dancing.

She was twirling in the middle of the living room, arms above her head, her generous frame moving with agility. A scarf was clutched in one hand, fluttering as she spun. Her hips swayed, her feet tapping lightly against the floor.

I stared.

Hugo made a dazed sound.

Luis—well, Luis didn’t have a choice but to stare.

After what seemed like an eternity of absurdity, Rosario finally noticed me.

With a gasp, she came to an abrupt stop, her scarf fluttering to the floor as she clutched her chest. "¡Ay, por Dios!" she exclaimed, eyes wide. "Must you always scare me like this?"

I smirked. "Must you always be doing something so questionable when I arrive?"

She huffed, planting her hands on her hips. "I do no such thing."

"Really? Because last time, you were snoring loud enough to shake the heavens, and now, you’re—what? A professional flamenco dancer?"

Rosario lifted her chin. "Luis enjoys my dances."

I arched an eyebrow. "Luis enjoys your dances?"

She nodded proudly. "He finds them soothing."

I glanced at Luis, whose face was completely unemotional. The man couldn’t talk, couldn’t move, but somehow, he managed to exude pure suffering.

I sighed. "Rosario."

"Yes, niño?"

"Leave us."

She gasped, clutching her chest again. "How cruel! To dismiss me when I have done nothing but bring joy into this house... "

I shot her a pointed ’no nonsense’ look.

She sighed dramatically before finally waddling toward the door, grumbling under her breath about ingrates and how she should charge extra for her services.

The moment the door closed behind her, I let out a heavy sigh and turned to Luis.

"I cannot imagine the horrors of being put under the care of someone like Rosario," I muttered.

Luis, as expected, said nothing.

I plopped down onto the chair beside him, running a hand through my hair. "So," I exhaled. "How have you been?"

Silence.

I smirked. "I knew it. You’ve been absolutely miserable without me."

More silence.

I smirked wider. "Well, lucky for you, dear cousin, I’ve come to entertain you with my rants." I leaned back, crossing my arms. "And oh, do I have rants."

Luis’s eyes shifted slightly toward me, the only indication that he was listening.

Good.

Because I had a lot to say.

And it all started with a pretty flower named María José.