Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother

I suddenly felt my throat grow dry as I turned to her, and for a second, neither of us moved.

Her hands were clasped in front of her, her fingers pressing tightly against each other, and her eyes—though they remained lowered—betrayed her.

She remembered.

She definitely remembered. But she hadn’t told anyone.

The relief that surged through me was enough to knock the breath from my lungs, but it was short-lived because now I had to greet her without looking like a guilty idiot.

"María José," I murmured, dipping my head a little as I reached for her hand.

Her fingers barely touched mine before she quickly pulled away with her entire body stiff.

I pretended not to notice.

Instead, I forced out a quiet, "It’s good to see you."

She gulped.

Then, so softly I almost didn’t hear it, she whispered, "You too."