Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother
Chapter 82: _ Today is The Day

Chapter 82: _ Today is The Day

I was running.

María José was ahead of me, draped in white. However, her white dress was torn and trailing behind her as she fumbled through the darkness. Her bare feet bled against the jagged rocks, but she didn’t stop.

Couldn’t.

Behind her, a shadow moved, long and twisting, swallowing everything in its path.

I tried to reach her, my legs burning as I pushed forward. But no matter how hard I ran, I wasn’t fast enough.

She turned back to face me and I could see just how chalk-white her face had paled. In her mouth was a silent plea.

"Wait!" I screamed, extending my hand as long as I could as if it could turn elastic and reach her.

It didn’t.

Then the darkness swallowed her whole.

I woke up gasping.

******

A soft knock came at my bedroom door before it swung open, flooding the room with morning light.

"Axel, sveglia! Get up."

I groaned and buried my face in the pillow. "Go away."

My mother, of course, ignored me. She was used to my dramatics by now. The mattress dipped as she sat beside me, and I felt her give my shoulder a solid shake.

"You’re not sleeping all day. Get up."

"Try and make me."

"Axel," she warned.

I sighed loudly, letting my limbs go limp in protest. "Madre, I barely slept last night. Let me rest."

"You should have thought about that before running around all night doing whatever it is you do."

I cracked an eye open to glare at her. "I do important things."

She rolled her eyes. "I’m sure you do." Then, as if she just remembered why she was here, she clapped her hands together. "Listen, I didn’t come here to argue with you. Today is important."

That got my attention. "...Important how?"

"We’re going to Don Diego’s house."

I shot up so fast, that my head spun. "We’re what?"

"Álvaro wants to ask for Camilla’s hand, remember?"

Oh, that...

How the fuck was it any of my business though?

I groaned and collapsed back onto the pillows. "Absolutely not. I’m not going anywhere near that place."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I’m not."

She sighed, rubbing her temples like she was already tired of this conversation. "Axel."

"No."

"Axel."

"I refuse."

"Axel."

I let out an exaggerated groan. "Madre, I’d rather shove my head into a pig’s trough than go back there right now."

She didn’t even blink. "Perfect. I’ll have a trough prepared for you by the time I return."

I scowled. "That’s not funny."

"Oh, but it is." She crossed her arms. "Now, tell me, what exactly are you so afraid of?"

What I was afraid of? My insides tingle. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Maybe I was indeed afraid... of the aftermath of my actions.

What would María José think of me now? What if she has reported me to her father?

"I’m not afraid of anything." I lied.

She raised an eyebrow.

I just don’t feel like seeing María José after... last night.

That part was true. But what was even more true was that I didn’t want to face Don Diego again. Not after what I overheard.

Not without smashing his head into a table.

My mother gave me a analyzing look. "And yet, I see right through you."

I ignored that. "Go without me."

She sighed, shifting closer. "Axel, we need to go."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Not good enough."

She exhaled through her nose, pinching the bridge like she was losing patience. "Do you really want to make things harder for María José?"

Mother was speaking of María José now? I frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"Think, Axel. She’s in that house, weak, and her father will surely not take it easy on her after you humiliate him because of her. If we go, you can at least see if she’s okay. You can make sure she’s safe."

I clenched my jaw. Mom has figured out I had a soft spot for María José already. Was it that obvious?

Damn it.

She was playing dirty.

I lay there for a long moment, warring with myself. Every part of me wanted to stay in bed and pretend none of this existed. But another part of me... the part that had been burning with anger all night knew I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing.

If Don Diego really was planning to use María José as his scapegoat, then she needed someone on her side.

I sighed. "Fine."

She smiled. "Good."

I narrowed my eyes. "You look too pleased with yourself."

"That’s because I am." She stood up, dusting off her skirt. "Now, there’s one more thing."

Oh, please.

I sat up warily. "What?"

She clasped her hands together. "I need a favor."

I groaned. "I already agreed to go. What else do you want?"

"I need you to apologize to Don Diego."

I froze.

Then I laughed.

A real, genuine laugh.

It lasted a whole five seconds before I stopped and looked at her dead in the eyes. "Not a chance in hell."

She sighed. "Axel..."

"Mother, I would rather die."

She pressed her lips into a thin line. "Dramatic."

"I mean it. I would rather gouge out my own eyes, throw them into the sea, and let the fish feast upon them before I ever..."

"Shut up." She gave me a pointed look. "Axel, listen to me. I know you hate him, but this isn’t just about your pride."

I scoffed. "It’s not pride. It’s called self-respect."

"You are in a dangerous position. Your father has revoked your right to leave this pack. You are stuck here, Axel, whether you like it or not."

Great, remind me of just how fucked u was. I clenched my jaw.

She continued, "Powerful men like Don Diego? They can make your life hell. He could have the entire pack turn against you if he wanted. He could put you in danger."

I knew she was right. That didn’t make it any easier to hear. Not to mention, there was no way in hell I’d go down without a fight.

I was strong. I could single-handedly take down tens of his men. Except he had hundreds.

She sat beside me again, her voice lowering. "Why not work your way up? You are Alpha-born, Axel. And now, you’re the Beta which is also fine. If you want to change things, if you want to take power away from people like Don Diego, you need to play the game. You need to be patient."

I stared at her mutely. She had a point.

"I know you want to help people like María José," she said softly. "I know you want justice. But right now? You don’t have the power to do anything."

The words stung because she was right.

Right now, I was nothing more than a disgraced Beta, locked in this pack with nowhere to go. I could rage all I wanted, but at the end of the day, I had no real power. No alliances, no men, nothing.

She touched my arm. "This is a chance to change that."

I let out a slow breath, shutting my eyes and reopening them.

When Mother wasn’t with Father, she was the best mother ever. Damn her and her motherly wisdom.

I hated this. I hated knowing she had a point.

But most of all, I hated the idea that she might be right about me having to play nice.

I ground my teeth. "Fine. I’ll go."

She smiled.

"But I’m not apologizing," I added quickly.

She patted my shoulder. "You will, hijo."

I flopped back onto the bed with a groan.

Today was going to be hell.