"You motherfuckers are as BORING as ever!" The baritone voice of the most gorgeous male wolf I had ever seen reverberated across the hall.
The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on the speaker. He had a strong build, but it wasn't the muscle-bound bulk of a warrior.
As for his attire, it was understated—almost deliberately so. He wore a black leather jacket, slightly worn but clearly of high quality, hanging open over a deep green shirt, fitted jeans, and boots.
My trembling lips froze as he climbed out of the chair beside the Delta.
"Every year, it's the same shit. Can you all quit all the bullshit and allow my brother to go suck on his dick if he wants?" He threw his hands in the air.
W- What on earth was he doing? Who was he? Did he just call Alvaro his brother?
I was still in my thoughts when the current Luna sprung up from her seat, face reddened and fists clenched.
"What is the meaning of this, Axel?! You can't behave yourself for just one day?!" She yelled.
Axel, that was him – the pack's Beta.
I had heard of him. He was said to be rebellious, disrespectful, and a troublemaker. But hearing it and seeing it were two entirely different things. He didn't just talk the talk; he made the room quake with his presence.
His gaze trailed towards the Luna, but there was no apology in his eyes, no remorse. He didn't flinch. Instead, his lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Oh, I behave just fine when there's a reason to. But this?" He gestured to the room. "This is so sickening to watch. I'd rather be anywhere else."
"You have no right to interrupt us like that, brother! If you're going to be savagery, at least, wait until you're off on your wild adventures and fake some mannerisms here even if you have none!" Álvaro, who was already furious by the turn of events snapped.
Oh, my God. Wasn't Axel supposed to be his big brother? Dammit.
I gulped down, my gaze went to my father whom I knew was probably sitting down, blaming me for this newly erupted chaos.
Axel scoffed, his hands going in his pocket. "I'm a member of this pack, just like everyone else here, brother. And I'm sick of watching everyone fawn over you like you're some kind of god when you're this rotten!"
Oh, no—why did this have to happen today of all days? Because of me? Oh, by the moon, this would forever be in the records.
I could pee my pants right now, wondering what I'd meet when we all got home. Father would make me pay.
Álvaro bit his bottom lip with rage. "How dare you, Axel?! I'm not the one who asked you to be unfit for the Alpha position! Take your jealousy out of here!"
"I dare because someone needs to tell you that you're not God, Álvaro. You're just a pompous, self-absorbed prick who thinks the world revolves around him." Axel fired back.
"He's gone rogue!"
"He doesn't deserve to be Beta!"
"What sort of Beta is this?!"
The comments from the pack members began to fly around, each person giving their unsolicited opinions.
I was not sure what to do. My chest was already heavy, my breaths quickened as though I was hyperventilating. Maybe I was... this was a bloody lot.
The current Luna waggled a finger her first son's way. "Axel, you will apologize to your brother and to this pack. Now."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Or what? You'll punish me? Please, do tell. I'm fascinated. You're all here bullying a poor girl about a fate she has no control over. Tell me, who is the thoughtless one here?!"
Those words—They made my heart skip. Was... was he defending me?
Was all of this really because of me? The runaway beta was creating a scene for me? Why?
This was the first time someone would ever stand up for what I truly deserved. Being wolfless would be a traumatic experience separately, now imagine being bullied for it.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Axel's raging eyes settled in mine. For a moment, we just stared at each other, my heart racing so fast, I could hear it in my ears.
My God, he was every letter in the word 'hot'. I stood frozen, the bead of sweat on my forehead dripping.
"You dodged a bullet not being the Luna to this prick, young lady. Don't feel bad. You should celebrate your victory." He flatly said to the awestruck me.
D- Did he just speak to me? Suddenly, the butterflies in my stomach fluttered to life despite the ugly situation.
When he put it like that, maybe I should indeed be happy. Álvaro would make a terrible husband and mate.
But when I thought of father, of my sisters, of our family, and of the pack, the darkness that came with being an Omega overshadowed whatever reprieve not being mated to Álvaro could bring.
The Alpha, who had been mutely sitting and watching finally stood up, his black tuxedo suit, reminding me of Dad's Mercedes-Benz S-class that drove my sisters here.
From the look of things, it seemed I'd be returning home with them and wouldn't ride in it. I was pretty sure my fate would be to use the bus after this.
"Axel. Leave, now!" Commanded, Alpha Tomas.
All eyes were on Axel now as he didn't move a muscle. He was still staring at me, making me feel so small—so exposed.
I couldn't withstand his dominating aura. I glanced down at my feet, counting my toes from the gap left by my peep-toe heels.
And then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the pack in stunned silence.
What was that long stare for? Why did he stand up for me? How come the Alpha needed to intervene before he stepped?
One thing was certain though – Axel respected his father.
I let out a breath I didn't know she was holding when he disappeared from view. What had just happened? Why was Axel so freaking damn intimidating?