Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 101

Liana POV

"Home, sweet home," Axel says drily as we park in front of the mansion. Our majestic week at the beach house has come to an end, and like him, I wish we could have stayed longer. "Try to not sound so depressed," I comfort him. "We'll go back. Besides, Connor hasn't seen your office yet."

"Our his room," Axel chuckles before he sighs. "All true, but I already miss the serenity and the quiet."

"Me too," I reply dreamily as I remember the view from our bedroom. "And speaking of missing quiet, here comes your dad."

The backdoor opens before Axel can get a word in.

"Hello, my big boy," Grant coos as he reaches for Connor.

"Hello, Dad," Axel smirks as he opens his door.

"Yeah, yeah, hello," Grant replies absentmindedly as he picks up Connor.

"Where's Mom?" Axel asks as he opens the door for me.

"In my office," Grant replies. "But be warned, she's not in a good place."

"Why?" Axel asks concerned as we walk inside the mansion. "Has something happened?"

"It's Angela," Grant sighs. "They're turning off her life support today."

"Oh, no," I mumble softly as I look at Axel's paling face and I know he is upset.

His history with Angela is taking a toll on him. She went from a friend to a sweetheart, to a stalker and when she ended up on life support, it felt like her presence would be never-ending. Switching off the machines will not only end her life, but it will also end the entire drama.

"Take care of Connor," I rest my hand on Axel's arm. "I'll go talk to her."

He smiles gratefully at me, and I quickly kiss him.

I cannot help feeling slightly nervous as I walk to the office. Honestly, I do not even know why I said I will talk to her. For heaven's sake, she is mourning the woman I replaced. I am so the wrong person to do this, but I did not have the heart to let Axel deal with this. And I guess Grant has tried which could be the reason why he stormed to our car like his oxygen is in there.

The woman crying on the couch is nothing like the woman I met. She is stripped of all her arrogance and pride. Now she is simply a grieving woman.

"Hi," I say softly as I close the door behind me. "Can I get you anything?" "Thanks for not asking how I'm doing," she sniffs.

"Well, I figured it would be redundant," I reply as I sit across from her.

"I don't expect you to understand," she looks at me, and there is no anger or resentment in her eyes. Only pain. "I was there the day Angela was born. Jack was away on a business trip and couldn't make it in time. I was there with her in the delivery room, holding her hand. I never missed a birthday or a school recital or any milestones in her life. I'm not blind to her mistakes. I knew she was entitled and spoiled, but I didn't pay much attention to it. She was always respectful and loving towards me. So, yes, I would've loved for her to marry Axel, and when he proposed to her ... that's why I was so mad. We didn't know about you or any of the drama. We thought it was a real proposal and I got excited. When the truth came out, I was hurt and disappointed. And now she's dead. I mean, I knew this day would come, but I hoped and prayed so hard for a miracle. Angela might be a thorn in your side, but to me... I love her as if she's my own child."

The more she speaks, the sadder I get. She might have been horrible to me, but not more than my own mother. If I can forgive my mother, the woman that gave me life, I can forgive her.

"I actually do understand," I clear my throat. "My brother, Leon, was a flawed person and my mother overlooked it. For years, he has caused me so much pain and hardship, but I still loved him. He was my brother. When he died, my parents blamed me. The child my mother wanted and loved most, died and she was stuck with the one she didn't want. So yeah, I get it. I get that I'm the person you didn't want, and I get mourning a person that caused more havoc than good. You should mourn her because you loved her and knew her good side."

For a long time, she only looks at me before she shakes her head and looks down at her hands.

"I hate it," she finally says as she looks at me. "I hate that you're so understanding and kind towards me. It makes it hard to dislike you. And if I like you, it means I was wrong about you and I hate being wrong."

She smiles at me through her tears, and I smile back at her.

"Don't worry, we all make mistakes," I tease, and she rolls her eyes.

"And to be fair, it was a lot meeting me and learning you're going to be a grandmother in one day," I take her hands in mine. "But you should also know that I really do love your son and I'm sorry it took us so long to tell you." "Thank you," she squeezes my hands.

Axel POV

"Have you spoken to Jack?" I ask as Dad and I walk to Connor's room.

"No," he sighs. "Our friendship died when Angela went into a coma. Actually, all his relationships died that day. According to Mary, he does nothing but eat, sleep and overindulge in alcohol."

"But things between Mom and Mary returned to normal?" I take Connor from Dad and lay him down in his crib.

"More or less," Dad sighs. "Mary still blames you and it's hard for her to separate her feelings between you and your mother."

"Then I think it's best if I skip the funeral," I look at my sleeping son. I remember my fight with Liana about life and death. And I remember thinking her human heart makes her weak. I remember thinking Jack was weak when he broke down when Angela was injured. All of that changed when Connor was born. I did not like Angela, nor am I fond of her parents, but I do get the bond between a parent and a child. "I don't want to make things harder on Jack and Mary with my presence."

"As noble as that is, you should go," Dad rests his hand on my shoulder. "You're the alpha, son. It's your responsibility to represent the pack. Not to mention, you were engaged to her. It might've been fake, but the pack don't know that."

"It's going to suck," I sigh as I rest my hands on the crib. "For me and them."

"Trust me," Dad pats me on the back. "It's going to be much worse for them."

I sigh heavily and sit down in the rocking chair.

"How are Gwen and her kids doing?" I change the subject.

"Just fine," Dad's face lightens up. "After Gwen heard the news, she poured all her energy into getting healthy. And don't let me get started on Carol. Man, she loves taking care of the kids. It's going to be tough on her when they leave."

"We should renovate the cottage next to Drew and Carol," I smile, relieved that there is something that I can fix. "Gwen and the children can live there, and Carol gets to see them every day. It will also help Gwen. If things get too intense for her, help is right next door."

"First discuss it with Carol," Dad warns subtly. "It could be something she doesn't want to sign up for."

"I know, I know," I mumble as I reach for my phone when it chimes.

"It's an email from Michelle," I smile as I read it. "She got a place for Liana's mother at a hospice. She'll be transported there tomorrow, and I will have her dad come and live in Liana's old cottage."

"I still can't believe Liana wants to help her after everything you told me," Dad shakes his head.

"That's Liana," I grin as I put my phone away. "I learned a lot from her about compassion."

"Does she know that she's starting to train this week?" Dad asks cautiously.

"Dad, I'm not keeping anything from her," I smirk. "By now I know I can't win a fight with her. Since you asked, she's extremely excited about it. She wants to explore her wolf side. And wow, her wolf is the most majestic and beautiful creature I've seen in my entire life."

"I can't wait to see her in action," Dad smiles. "I'm so grateful you're happy, Axel."

"I am, Dad," I smile. "I am."