Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother

I was still blinking like a stunned owl when Mother leaned over and patted my hand in that maddeningly serene way only she could pull off.

"It’s not so far-fetched, querido," she said, as if we were discussing the weather and not my complete social assassination. "Better a sweet, docile sister than a rabid wolf in Luna’s clothing."

Rabid wolf. God, I loved my mother.

Dragging in a breath that felt like it scraped against my ribs, I scrubbed both hands down my face and groaned into my palms. "Look, Mamá," I said, voice muffled and probably more desperate than I intended, "I have no other plan. No secret strategy, and no backup escape hatch. I’m not interested in marrying anyone else. I’m marrying María José."

I dropped my hands and met her gaze dead-on. "I don’t care what people say. Not the pack, not Dad, not the entire freaking Council of Elders. They can all choke on it for all I care."

The words rang out between us in ways that were heavier than I expected. Mother’s expression softened. It was like that of the diplomatic queen that she was, shedding her crown for a moment.

She extended her hand again, cupping my cheek with one hand, her touch cool and gentle. Her diamond rings pressed lightly against my skin sending cold sparks of comfort through me.

"I will stand by you every step of the way, Axel," she said simply. "You have my word."

For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Something thick and stupid clogged my throat. I coughed it down before it could humiliate me.

My mamá was a gem. God, I knew she’d get along so well with María José.

"Thanks, Mom," I managed to say, though my voice was a little hoarse.