Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 121

Luther

POV

"I want to thank you," I say as we drive back home. "All of you. I know you all have much more important things to do than helping me fight my demons." "Your demons are my demons," Adele smiles at me.

"We might not belong to the same pack anymore, but we will always be connected," Liana softly squeezes my shoulder. "We stick together and support each other. We're here to help."

"Well, thank you," I smile emotionally. Truth is, I would have carried this with me for the rest of my life. Even if I do not replace my sister, this opened my eyes to what I have. True friends. Friends that are willing to put their lives on hold to help me. "How do you want to proceed?" Axel looks at me.

"With the only lead I have," I sigh. "The Red Ox. Not that I'm hopeful that they would still have records of twenty-five years ago."

"The Red Ox?" Liana croaks and I look at her frowning.

"Yes, do you know the place?" I ask curiously.

"I worked there," she clears her throat.

"I didn't know that," I smile. "But first, Adele needs to get back and pick a Beta."

"I'll be fine," Adele reassures me. "You guys can go."

"No," I shake my head adamantly. "This is not a priority.

Your Beta is."

Liana POV

I intertwine my fingers and look out of the window. I have stopped listening to Luther and Adele's conversation. The Red Ox. The restaurant I used to work at. The place where Brad attacked and assaulted me.

I did not think I would ever have to go back there. But Brad is dead, and this is not about me. This is important to Luther, and I want him to be happy. I am not doing this out of boredom, I understand what it is to deal with the damage parents inflicted. "Will that be in order with you, Liana?" Axel pulls me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry," I smile apologetically. "I was daydreaming, and not listening."

"I said I'm going to help Adele with picking a Beta," Axel explains. "Luther will take you home."

"Fine by me," I agree. "Then I'll be home for Connor's nap." Axel POV

I smile satisfied by Liana's answer. I did not forget that she worked at Red Ox. It might feel that her attack happened in another lifetime, but I do not want her to relive that day. The visit to Red Ox is something Luther and I will take care of. Luther and Adele get out of the car once I have parked, but Liana does not attempt to get out.

"Are you thinking about Brad?" I ask softly.

"Yes," she admits softly.

"You don't have to go back, Liana," I reach over and take her hand. "I'll do it."

"I know," she smiles bravely and opens the door.

I sigh softly as I get out. Liana does not carry that night with her, but the memory will always be there.

"Do you want to go home immediately?" Luther looks at

Liana. "Or do you have time to look at the new piece I started?"

"I would love to see your work," Liana immediately brightens up. "I have so little time for anything art since Connor was born."

"Right this way," Luther smiles as he rests his hand on Liana's back and leads her towards the house.

"I cannot tell you how happy I am Liana shares that passion with him," Adele mumbles softly when she stands next to me. "For me, a painting is either pretty or not. At least she can satisfy his need to discuss colour palettes and whatever."

"I know the feeling," I chuckle as we walk towards the training grounds. "Except for Liana's drawings. Those I get."

"Because they're black and white," Adele laughs heartedly.

There is already a line of hopeful candidates when we arrive. It is not every day that the position of Beta is available.

"Remember," I say softly. "Don't focus on strength alone. It's also about speed and technique."

"And loyalty," I add. "If only there were a physical test for that."

"Even if we had one, they could still stab you in the back," I shake my head.

Adele POV

It has been hours, and it feels as if I am looking cross-eyed by the time everyone has an opportunity to show what they have.

"Here are my picks," Axel hands me a piece of paper.

"Hey," I chuckle. "It's the same as mine."

"Then we have the correct five," Axel laughs and calls the candidates over.

I thank the rest for participating before I look at the people in front of me. The two women are strong and fierce. And when I look them in the eye, they look back with confidence. The three men are the same - except for one. He is just as muscular, but when I look him in the eyes, his gaze is not as arrogant as the others.

"You look familiar," I frown at him. "Have we met before?"

"No, Alpha," he replies firmly but politely. "But you could've seen me when I visited my mate at Clear Moon."

"Who's your mate?" I ask curiously

"Gwen, Alpha," he replies and lowers his gaze.

With renewed interest, I look at him. This man is brave, I realize. He knows very well that Axel and I are aware of the things Gwen has done, and still, he admits she is his mate.

This speaks volumes to me. He is not ashamed of Gwen. A lot of people might even hold his mate against him.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Neal," he replies as he looks up.

"Congratulations, Neal," I smile. "You are my Beta."

"Th... thank you, Alpha," he looks at me in surprise, and the others frown.

"The rest of you, report to me tomorrow morning," I order. " You did well and impressed me. I still need a Delta. The remaining three will also be part of my personal security. You're dismissed."

"Interesting choice," Axel smiles as we watch them leave.

"He will be loyal," I smile. "And fair. He accepted Gwen despite her past. He found his mate because Liana gave her a second chance. Not only will he be loyal to this pack, but to yours. Which is important to me because that's where I come from. A lot of members still might perceive me as an intruder."

"Let me rephrase," Axel smirks. "Wise choice."

"Thanks for the help today," I say as we walk back home. "It helped a lot."

"Anytime," he grins. "But you're a natural, Adele, you don't really need my help. Liana was right about you."

"I learned a lot from Liana while protecting her," I reply. "In the beginning, I didn't always agree with her and at times I thought she was too compassionate. Especially when she told me to send people to keep an eye out for Ven. But with time, it started making sense to me. Like this thing with Luther's sister. I didn't even think to suggest replaceing her. Not because I didn't care, but because I didn't think it mattered that much. But Liana and Luther are different in that way. They feel more than you and me. With Liana's past, she understands the need to forgive. Liana kept on carrying the blame for what her brother had done, and Luther was carrying the blame for what his parents did.

Luther needs this, Axel. I pray that his sister had a good life and is in good health. Otherwise, I fear that he might never forgive his parents."

"And he will keep on punishing himself the way Liana did,"

Axel nods in understanding. "You're right, we're different from them. I don't think I would ever complicate my life because of other people."

"Most people are like them," I sigh. "Look at the world, everybody is carrying somebody else's guilt. And it's ridiculous. You can't undo the past, let alone your ancestors' sins."

"Except for us," Axel smiles mischievously. "That's why we sleep better at night."

"Yes," I laugh heartedly.

"Something else," I continue once my laughter dies down."

Who put a stick up Alpha Philip's a*s?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Axel sighs. "I reviewed his contract with Jack, and it was pretty standard. In fact, he would benefit more from doing business with Austin. I don't know why hes so stubbornly loyal towards Jack." "Do you think it's wise to continue doing business with him after last night?" I frown.

"Not even almost," Axel laughs. "But we offered him the same deal as we did with Jacks other business partners, and we can't back down now."

"In other words, keep a close eye on Philip," I nod in understanding.

"A very close eye" Axel emphasizes.

"This is going to get interesting," I sigh theatrically.

"At least it's not going to be boring," Axel chuckles.