Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 52

Liana POV

"No, no, no," Nina shakes her head wildly as she comes to an abrupt standstill and jerks free from my hold. "This... this is absurd and crazy and ... and I ..."

"Nina!" I say sharply and rest my hands on her shoulders. "Calm down, it will be fine."

"Fine?" She shrieks. "How can things possibly be fine? You heard Wilson, and we have no idea what he is capable of."

"I have a plan," I try to calm her, but she looks at me with tear-filled eyes.

"He... he broke my heart," she sobs. "Now he's going to break my neck."

"Oh, goddess," I roll my eyes and grab her by the arm. "Now is not the time to be hysterical. Come on."

"Where are we going?" She sniffs. "It doesn't matter where we hide, he'll replace us."

"We're not going to hide," I say adamantly as we walk down the street.

I turn a deaf ear to Nina's complaints as we walk to Silver Enterprises. Never in a million years did I think she will lose it like this. Trying to explain to her what I have in mind, will be a waste of time. She is too caught up in the drama in her head. The guard at Silver Enterprises gives Nina a questioning look but he does not say a word as we walk past him. I ignore the curious glances and head straight for the elevators.

"Liana," Juliana looks at me in surprise. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?"

"I was set free," I grin as I guide Nina to a chair and help her take a seat.

"I need a favour," I turn to Juliana. "Can you please keep an eye on her while I talk to Axel? And order her sweet tea. She got some ... uhm, shocking news."

"Sure," Juliana nods.

"Thanks," I smile and walk towards Axel's office.

Axel POV

I am sitting behind my desk while I rhythmically tap with my pen on the desk. Last night with Liana was spectacular but still, I cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong.

When we had coffee before I came to work, she was cheerful and talkative, but there was something in her silence that sets off alarms in my head. The restlessness in her fingers as she fumbled with the spoon and her cup. The faraway look in her eyes when the conversation stops.

Something is bothering her, and I do not know what it is or what I can do to show her that I am here for her and that I will support her - no matter what.

There is a soft knock on my door and my eyes widen in surprise when Liana enters.

"Why are you here?" I ask concerned and am instantly on my feet. I walk over and pull her into my embrace. "You're supposed to be at home resting." "I know, I know," her smile is strained as she looks up at me.

"We need to talk," the seriousness in her voice wakens an ominous feeling and I nod as we take a seat on the couch.

"It's Wilson," Liana sighs. "He came to see me in the hospital."

Intensely I listen to the story and the more Liana talks, the angrier I get. My mate is being blackmailed and threatened. Wilson will not survive this, I swear. "And you're telling me this now only?" I jump up and shove my balled fists into my pockets. It hurts that she does not trust me enough to have told me sooner. "I'm sorry," she mumbles and starts fumbling with her fingers. "I ... I didn't want to burden you with my family. You've done so much already."

"Dammit, Liana, why would you think that?" I close my eyes as exhaustion takes over. What have I done or said that gave her the idea that she is a burden to me?

"Because you don't owe me or my family anything," she stands up and walks to me with blazing eyes. "I get that you're mad at me for not telling you, but this is ultimately my problem and not yours. And I'm sorry that I'm running to you once again with my drama. I know you're busy and don't have time for me and my fucked-up family. The only reason I'm telling you now is because this involves Nina, a pack member, and I don't want to be responsible if something awful happens to her."

"Is that what you think?" My heart cramps painfully. "That you're a burden and that I don't have time for you?"

"Axel, I'm a rental remember?" She laughs humourlessly. "I don't expect anything."

"So, last night meant nothing to you?" It feels like she stabbed me straight through the heart. "All the things I said meant nothing?"

"You said those things in the heat of the moment," she blushes a little and avoids eye contact. "People say crazy things then and I'm not going to hold you to it."

"Oh, really," I squint my eyes and cross my arms in front of my chest. "And with how many men have you slept that made you come to that conclusion?"

"Only you," she mumbles as she turns beet red. "But in all the movies and books they always ..."

"You're more than a rental, Liana," I grunt. Liana is naïve and I get why she has a tough time trusting me but that does not mean her words did not hurt. "And you shouldn't believe everything you read and see. I meant every word I said last night." "Okay," she lowers her gaze. "I'm sorry."

"I still can't believe you confronted Wilson," I shake my head in disbelief. "Do you have any idea how dangerous and irresponsible that was?"

"I had to take a stand, Axel," she says irritated. "If I gave in to his demands now, he would come back for more. You and I both know my brother won't stop. I didn't act on the spur of the moment. I thought it through. That's why I arranged a meeting in public and not some dark alley. And that's why I'm here."

"He could've hurt you," I say urgently. "Do you have any idea how many ways there are to grab you before you could get to me?"

"I said I'm sorry, okay," she blurts out and glares at me. "And I will say it a thousand times more, but I cannot undo it."

"I'm not saying it to make you feel bad, Liana," I say angrily. "I need you to understand the repercussions of your actions."

"I get it," she shouts at me.

"No, you don't," I bellow beside myself with frustration. "I already had to pick up your lifeless body once, I won't survive it a second time."

"You don't get it," I take a step closer to her and her eyes widen. "You don't understand the fear and panic. You don't understand the helplessness and pain when the person you ..."

Abruptly I stop talking and close my eyes. I nearly said love and now is not the time.

"You just don't get it," I say softly as I walk to my desk and sit down.

"Axel, I..."

"Just leave it," I sigh heavily. I am done. I have done everything I could to make her love me. I made promises and reassured her over and over that I will be there. I gave her the space and freedom she asked for. I made love to her over and over and it did not work. Liana is not a wolf, and she does not feel the mate bond like I do. For her, love weighs heavier than the bond and she does not love me. It is time for me to accept it. I should reject her and set her free.

But just thinking of the words, makes my throat pulls close and it feels like I cannot breathe.

"So," I clear my throat. "There is more to this than your delinquent brother. It is about my pack members and their illegal activities. If Wilson can blackmail you, he will do it to others."

"Axel," Liana's eyes are insecure as she looks at me and takes a seat. "I ...

"Nina will be under my protection," I cut her off brusquely and look away. My heart is breaking and dealing with Wilson is a welcome distraction. "Where is she now?" "In the waiting room," Liana whispers.

"Please call her in," I lean back in my chair and watch as Liana gets up and walks to the door. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I mind-link the guards.

A moment later Liana and Nina enter and take a seat across from me. Nina's face is red and puffy from all the crying, and she looks at me with fear-filled eyes.

"You can relax," I smile to ease the tension. "You'll be safe. Guards will take you home. Pack what you need, you're going to stay on my property until this is resolved. You'll also have a bodyguard at all times, even at work. You're not alone and don't have anything to worry about, okay?"

"Thank you, Alpha," she smiles weakly.

"Axel, thank you," Liana smiles. "And I'm really sorry."

"One more thing," I force myself to smile for Nina's sake. "I'm sending you two to a spa for the weekend. I think it will be safer if you aren't within the borders for the weekend while my men and I start our investigation."

"Is that really necessary?" Liana asks quickly.

"Yes," I lie smoothly. Truth is I need time without her, and I know I will not be able to stay away when she is a few feet away in her cottage. "But don't worry, there will be guards accompanying you."

There is a rapid knock on my door and four warriors enter my office.

"Ladies," I look at the men. "Meet your guards. Nina, they will escort you home. Liana, Drew is waiting for you in the parking lot."

Liana opens her mouth as if she wants to say something but then she looks at me for only a second before she turns around and leaves the office.