Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother

Finally, Rosa stood to inspect the mess she had made, straightened and smoothed her dress like she hadn’t just slashed open my face.

"You should be grateful I’m feeling generous tonight," she mused. "I could have done so much worse."

Her eyes flickered to my neck, the mark burning there like a brand, and then she laughed.

"Oh, María José," she sighed, shaking her head. "Why am I even bothered?"

My eyes blinked rapidly, struggling to stay open.

"Axel has nothing to be mated to where you’re concerned

I knew what that meant. The words struck harder than her claws. I sucked in a sharp breath, the sting of the wound forgotten when it came to the impact of her cruel words.

"You’re wolfless," she continued, waving a hand like it was the simplest truth in the world. "You have nothing to offer him. No wolf. No bond. No future." She clicked her tongue, feigning pity. "How tragic."

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to claw at her perfect stoic face and tear it apart the way she had torn mine.

But I couldn’t. Because she was right. Axel had rejected me. Not just as a mate. But as someone who even mattered.