Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 276: _ The White Wedding

Chapter 276: _ The White Wedding

The Wedding Day

~~

I was standing at the altar—if that’s what you could call a marble monstrosity drenched in white roses and drenched even more in pretense. The scent of power and perfume in the air was nauseating, woven in with wolf musk, anxiety, and freshly waxed floors. Everything glistened, like the gods themselves had RSVP’d.

Across from me stood Rosa.

In a white lace wedding dress that did everything it could to scream purity and innocence while failing to mute the rot underneath. She wore a veil... because, of course, she did, and a devilish smile that curled like a snake around her lips.

I could almost hear her internal monologue: Finally, I won. He’s mine. Axel, the heir, the Alpha-to-be, bound to me for life. I can finally use him to get everything I want.

Her manicured fingers curled possessively around the bouquet, and I wondered if she’d practiced her smile in the mirror.

Why? Because she had on one of those rehearsed "I’m-so-blessed" smiles that actresses used when collecting an award they bribed their way into winning.

But her life was about to take a drastic turn. She just didn’t know it yet.

Beside us, Álvaro stood in his usual military posture; spine rigid, clenched jaw. If he were any more emotionally removed, we’d need to check his pulse. Camila fluttered beside him like a glitter-covered hummingbird in heels. She was dressed like she thought this was a Malibu wedding, not the most powerful werewolf rite in three territories.

Rosa and Camilla’s father beamed like a proud ancient statue. Oh, Don Diego, let’s see how the condition of that pride of yours is when you find out your daughter was even more evil than you are.

My mother dabbed delicately at her eyes like she was watching the final scene of a tragic show. My father radiated smugness. He sat in his ivory chair like a king who’d just conquered new land.

Next to him were other alphas—visiting leaders, packheads, land barons. Men whose glances could kill or make kings. Their suits cost more than small cities, and their eyes were all fixed on us.

This wedding wasn’t just a wedding. It was a damn power statement.

And me? I felt like a sacrificial lamb stuffed into a custom tuxedo.

The air buzzed with the chants of the rite keepers. I tuned them out until Camila started speaking. Her voice carried through the ceremony hall like cotton candy tossed in a hurricane.

"I vow to always be beautiful, brave, and your favorite person on Instagram!" she chirped, her voice bouncing off the marble walls. "I vow to never go to bed angry, unless I’m hangry, which doesn’t count. And I vow to be your sunshine on rainy days—like, metaphorically but also literally because my aura is just so warm."

Oh, gosh. This was going to be my happiest day on earth because my brother was marrying a fucking irksome girl. I wasn’t sure which was funnier: the fact that they were stark opposites or that Camilla had just promised to be his most favorite person on Instagram as a wedding vow.

Not uplift the pack or stand by him as a powerful Luna.

Álvaro didn’t even flinch. It was his turn.

"I vow to protect you."

That was it. That was the vow. A single sentence, delivered in the same tone someone might use to recite a grocery list. Camila squealed and hugged him like he’d just written her a poem.

Fucking stupid girl.

The rite keepers turned to Rosa.

She stepped forward, eyes glistening with crocodile tears. Her lips trembled like she was about to perform a Shakespearean monologue.

"Axel," she breathed, "from the moment I first saw you, I knew fate brought us together. I vow to love you, honor you, and support you in everything. I vow to never betray your trust, never lie to you, and never let go of the fire we share. You are my moon, my wolf, and my whole world."

The lies... oh, damn. They were too sweet. Sickening. Like licking a candy apple that had been dipped in deceit.

Then came my turn.

The officiant nodded toward me, his ancient voice echoing through the silence. "And you, Axel—do you speak your vows?"

I looked straight ahead. Right into Rosa’s eyes. She tilted her head slightly, all doe-eyed, already trying to mentally mouth the words she wanted me to say. Her expression said, Play your role. Just play it.

I smiled softly.

"I have nothing to say."

The gasp that went through the room nearly cracked the ceiling.

Rosa blinked once or twice. Her face twitched. Her lips parted, confused, then tightened in fury as she tried to keep her expression camera-appropriate.

I felt her trying to burn a hole in me with her gaze. Her eyes darted toward me—pleading, warning, threatening all in one look. I ignored it.

Everyone noticed. I wanted them to notice.

Whispers spread through the rows. Some elders exchanged wary looks. Someone coughed awkwardly. My mother paled. My father sat forward in his chair, concern creasing his brow. Don Diego’s eyes flared like a beast had stepped on his tail.

Still, the ceremony went on. There were rules, after all. Ancient ones. Vows or no vows, the rites demanded progression.

The next part was deadly quiet.

The rite keeper’s voice rang out again. "If there is anyone here who does not support this union, speak now or remain silent forever."

Silence fell like a dropped blade. I held my breath and counted down in my head. Three... two... one...

Then...

"I do not."

YES! That’s my girl!

She wore a white dress. Not the traditional kind, but close. Ethereal. Soft as moonlight, with lace that hinted at something divine. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders like ink poured over silk.

She looked like she belonged at the altar, not Rosa. Like she had accidentally stumbled into the wrong role of bride instead of guest. Even the way she stood was noble, trembling only a little but with her chin raised. Her eyes met mine, and it was full of fire, courage, and an ache that cut through my ribs.

My girl...