Chapter 73

What in the name of forbidden romance was that?! Did this stupid Daddy’s boy just call me useless?!
Oh, boy… he’s going to be so damn sorry!
I exploded with rage as my fist landed on his face before I even realized I moved.
Álvaro stumbled back, crashing into the side table and knocking over a glass vase.
“Why… you?!” He growled, cradling his face and then, he pounced at me.
I met him halfway. We collided in a loud boom, grappling each other like two wild animals. His fists swung; I blocked, shoved him back, and landed another punch to his ribs.
He snarled, grabbing my collar and trying to throw me down.
“Will you stop this madness?!” Papá’s voice thundered through the room.
But we didn’t stop.
Álvaro was a good fighter, but I was better. I dodged some of his blows while some hit me before I gained the upper hand and slammed him onto the floor where I had him pinned down.
“Say it again,” I growled, pressing my forearm against his throat. “Say it again, I dare you.”
Álvaro struggled to break free, his face turning red, but his pride wouldn’t let him submit.
Papá grabbed my neck and yanked me off. I staggered back, breathing hard with my fists still clenched.
Álvaro then sat up, wiping blood from his lip, glaring murder at me.
Papá’s chest rose and fell in fury. “You will not disgrace this family further.”
I wiped the sweat from my brow, smirking despite myself. “Pretty sure that ship sailed when you raised two sons who can’t stand each other.”
Papá’s jaw locked. “You think this is funny?”
“I think you’re funny.”
He exhaled slowly, trying to rein in his rage. He didn’t have much luck with that anyway.
“You are this close to being stripped of your position, Axel.”
I tilted my head. “And then what? You’d exile me? Good luck finding someone else who can actually get their hands dirty for you.”
His silence told me I had him there. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ
Mamá finally stood, stepping between us. “Enough of this. Please. This isn’t helping.”
Papá rubbed his temple. Álvaro glared at me like he wanted to stab me in my sleep.
I balled my shoulders, already feeling the bruises forming.
Papá exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples as if my very existence was a personal migraine. When he finally spoke, there was a calmness in his voice, but in that way that promised nothing good.
“You will be coming with us to the De la Vegas tomorrow as planned. Nothing has changed.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, fantastic. A lovely family trip. Should I bring a picnic basket?”
Papá ignored me. “You will apologize to Don Diego.”
My brows drew together. “I will what?”
“You heard me, Axel.”
I let out a sharp laugh, utterly incredulous. “You want me to apologize? To that man? For what? For humiliating him, or for exposing the fact that he treats his daughter like garbage?”
Papá’s glare could have cracked stone. “For disgracing this family with your reckless behavior.”
“I didn’t disgrace this family,” I shot back. “I disgraced his.”
He walked closer to me, his aura holding my will down like an iron weight. “Shut up, son! You will do as I say. You will apologize, and that is final.”
I clenched my fists. “Or what?”
“Or I will exile you. From now onward, I am revoking all the past rights I’ve given you to leave this pack at your will. You either come to me to beg for permission or live as a rogue the moment you dared to leave without my knowledge!”
The words struck me harder than Álvaro’s punch had.
“You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Hell no, he didn’t.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. Exile. He was threatening to cast me out. Force me to become a rogue, a wild, untamed beast with no pack, no home, no name. The lowest of the low.
Even Álvaro looked startled by the severity of the punishment.
I took a breath, shoving down the burn in my chest. “You’d really do that?”
Papá’s gaze bore into me. “Try me.”
I grit my teeth so hard I thought my jaw would break.
“You’ve made your point, Alpha,” I spat.
Of course, use veto power to get what you want, papá. There’s absolutely no need to assert dominance like regular fathers would.
All the voices in my head wished to shrill out those words at him, but no. We were no ordinary family.
Papá studied me for a moment longer before walking away. “Be ready by morning.”
Álvaro smirked, wiping at his busted lip. “You should listen to him, hermano. We both know you wouldn’t last a day as a rogue. Your pride is too high for that.”
I curled my fingers into fists, resisting the urge to wipe that arrogant look off his face with another well-placed punch. He walked off before I could decide otherwise, disappearing down the hall like the perfect little lapdog he was.
I let out a shaky puff, trying to force the tension from my body.
A warm touch landed on my arm.
Mamá.
I glanced down at her, seeing the worry in her brown eyes. She was the only one in this family who ever looked at me like I was still her son —not a failure, not a disgrace, not a disappointment.
Just Axel.
“Listen to your father, mi amor,” she said gently. “This is for the best.”
Too bad she was a weakling.
“For the best? For the best? Right, because bowing down to that bastard Don Diego and licking his boots is really what’s best for me.”
She frowned, pressing a finger to her throat. “It’s better than exile.”
I pulled my arm away. “Depends on who you ask.”
Her shoulders sagged, but she said nothing as I stormed off.
Tomorrow, I’d stand in front of Rosa’s entire family again.
Hold up… what do I do with Rosa anyway?