Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother-Chapter 297: _ Being A Husband

I had already turned on my heel, the hallway stretching before me already looking like a golden tunnel of escape, when a voice halted me from the opposite direction.

"¿Con quién hablas, Camilla? What are you doing?"

I paused, hardly resisting the urge to let out a low and tired groan. Álvaro had emerged from around the corner like a stormcloud on legs. My brother was shirtless, and glistening with fresh sweat from the gym, veins bulging like he was on standby for a heart attack. His eyes settled on me, then flicked to his wife with apparent suspicion.

Camilla didn’t even flinch. She took a slow drag of air like she was drawing strength from it, then turned toward him with a face so blank it was insulting.

"Are you blind?" she snapped. "I’m talking to Axel."

Álvaro’s face tightened. The temperature in the hallway dropped like someone had opened the freezer. He took a menacing step forward.

"What did you say?"

Camilla’s eyes sparkled but in my opinion, that was reckless defiance. "You heard me. You always hear. So don’t act stupid now."

And just like that, the volcano erupted.

"You don’t talk to me like that!" Álvaro barked, chest puffing like a furious rooster.

"Oh, please," Camilla hissed, stepping closer like she was ready to square up. "What are you gonna do? Flex me into submission?"

I took a strategic step back, bracing myself against the wall as the domestic thunderstorm spiraled into a Category 5 hurricane right before my eyes.

"I don’t want you near him," Álvaro growled, pointing a finger so aggressively it might as well have been a blade my way. "I’ve told you, Camilla! Stay away from my brother."

Really? This bastard wanted his wife to stay away from me?

I should be the one saying this because last time I checked, it was this bastard who attempted rape on my wife. Knowing he hadn’t paid for that always boiled my blood whenever I remembered it.

However, influence wise, Álvaro was more powerful than me and I couldn’t really do much to him except beat him up like I already did. That was the first on my to-do list as soon as I became the Alpha.

That’s why I must become Alpha at all costs.

"Your brother?" Camilla’s laughter brought me back to reality. "He’s the only one in this house with manners. And brains."

"You’re pushing me," Álvaro snarled.

"And you’re boring me," she fired back.

I exhaled sharply and turned again, muttering, "Yeah, no. I’m not doing this today."

But before I could make it two steps, Álvaro grabbed my arm, jerking me to a stop. "Don’t walk away."

How dare that son of a...

I yanked my arm free, hissing dangerously. "Don’t touch me."

"Stay away from my wife," he snapped.

I turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "Don’t push your luck, hermano. You don’t own people. You married a woman, not bought livestock."

"You think you’re better than me?" Álvaro spat, the veins in his neck bulging with every word.

"No," I said coolly. "I know I am."

Camilla gasped like it was Christmas morning and burst out laughing, mocking her husband. Álvaro, however, had had enough.

With the speed of a striking viper, he stepped toward Camilla and shoved her. It was not hard or enough to send her tumbling, but enough to make a point.

Did he just push his wife of a few hours? It was barely one day into their marriage and my brother was already tethering towards domestic violence.

I tensed instantly, fists clenching, Hugo me snarling to be let loose and plant some punches on his face. I took a step forward, eyes flashing. "You don’t push a woman..."

Camilla straightened and smoothed her robe like it had merely been the wind. "Hey, Axel! You have to respect my husband, okay? Don’t talk to him like that!"

W-what?!

My mouth popped open in stupefaction as I turned to her. "I was literally defending you, woman!"

"I don’t need your help. Álvaro’s my husband, not you!"

Álvaro was still bristling, chest heaving, fists twitching like he wanted to break the walls. I locked eyes with him, wondering who deserved my fist the most between the husband and the wife.

However, I let out a sharp exhale instead.

Not my circus. Not my monkeys.

I turned on my heel and walked away.

Every step upstairs was a mental slap, a reminder that Álvaro’s toxicity ran deeper than anyone could stomach, and that the man would implode one day from his own bile. I had no intention of being there when it happened.

I opened the bedroom door gently, expecting chaos or a restless bride, but instead was greeted by a sight so serene it made my chest ache.

María José was still fast asleep, tangled in the sheets like a goddess in slumber. Her hair fanned across the pillow, her mouth slightly parted, one arm over her head like she was posing for a painting even in unconsciousness.

If there was ever a feminine representation of a dream, my wife, like this... was one. I could watch her all day sleeping like that.

I didn’t want her food getting cold, though.

Setting the tray down on the nightstand, I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

"Mi amor," I whispered. "Time to wake up."

She stirred, murmuring something unintelligible and nuzzling deeper into the pillow.

I grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. "Good morning, esposa. Come on. Wake up, sleepyhead."

Her lashes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the light. Then she smiled. Sleepy. Soft. Heartbreaking. "Hi."

"Hi," I whispered back. "First morning as my wife. How does it feel?"

She stretched slightly with a wince, her body arching delicately under the covers. "Sore," she said with a small laugh.

I chuckled. "Sorry to hear that. I did plan to ravish you all night, but you passed out on me."

She giggled, cheeks blooming pink. "And you let me sleep?"

"Think I did too," I admitted. "My self-control deserves a trophy."

She laughed again. "You’re so sweet."

"Sweet enough to bring you breakfast in bed." I picked up the tray and sat beside her. "Ta-da."

Her eyes widened. "Axel... you cooked this?"

"Cooked and plated it myself. No cheating. Eggs with queso fresco, warm pan dulce, and your favorite coffee—with a touch of cinnamon, just how you like it."

"You’re going to ruin other husbands for me," she whispered dramatically.

"You’re stuck with me," I said, grinning as I picked up the fork. "Forever."

"I can live with that."

I scooped a bite of the soft scrambled eggs and brought it to her lips. She opened her mouth and accepted it, moaning quietly at the taste.

"Mmm," she said. "You’re perfect."

"Don’t spoil me." I fed her another bite.

As she chewed, she winced slightly and shifted. "I really am sore though. Not just... you know. My whole body. My shoulders, my legs..."

"Probably from all the stress yesterday," I said gently, brushing her hair from her face. "You did really well. I’m proud of you."

She softened. "But Rosa’s still out there. And she’s not done."

Rosa... that bitch.

My jaw tensed, but I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "We’ll talk about that soon. I have a lot to tell you. Plans. Security. Everything."

She nodded, her eyes dimming a little.

"But not today," I added quickly. "Today, and tomorrow, and the next day... are about you and me. Honeymoon. No threats. No running. Just us. We deserve that. Rosa’s haunted us for months—she doesn’t get our peace too."

Her eyes glossed as she looked at me. "Okay."

"Okay," I repeated, then fed her a slice of avocado. "Now eat, mi reina. Then we’ll cuddle. Maybe watch a movie. Maybe kiss. Maybe I’ll let you seduce me again."

She laughed into her coffee. "You’re shameless."

"But yours," I whispered. frёeωebɳovel.com

And that was how our first morning as husband and wife began—not with fanfare, but with love and eggs, a soft kiss, and a promise I intended to keep.

No one was going to take her from me.

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