Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 59

Liana POV

I grab my handbag and storm towards the elevator. So much for my progress. I tried so hard not to get angry, not to cry and not to care. And I failed miserably on all accounts. Kill her! What the f**k?

I stop at reception and report to Shelly that I am leaving and that she should handle Axel's calls before I walk to the bus stop and go home.

Today I was supposed to prove to myself that I can live without Axel but then I saw him ... I wanted to strip off his clothes, have my dirty, nasty way with him and then kill him for putting me through hell.

Goddess knows I missed that man. It was painfully good to see him again. And I accept his explanation about the engagement. I am not sure if I am an idiot, but I believe him. He did what he could to keep me safe. My anger already subsided when I was leaving the office. I was going to make him stew on it for the rest of today and then tonight ... for f**k's sake! Why did he have to go and spoil it - again - by talking about killing Angela?

How can one man be so kind, so caring and so compassionate just to turn around and murder a person? Granted, Angela is a cow and death becomes her, but still.

I drop my coat and handbag on the couch before I kick off my shoes and fall face-first into the pillows. I scream and scream into the pillows until my screams turn into tears. Why? I sob into my pillow. Why did I have to fall in love with him?

Axel POV

I am speechless. For the first time in my entire life, I am numb and gobsmacked. By a human! I am supposed to be a mighty alpha and a tiny human ripped me to shreds. I am in uncharted waters, and I suspect that I am drowning.

Do I really want her as my mate? I wonder as I rub my mark. A lifetime with a maneater? Hell, yeah, I smile as I get up. She keeps me honest and on my toes. I need her in my life.

Determined to get her back, I grab my phone and keys to head to her place.

**

It is eerily quiet as I enter her cottage. For a split second, I thought she is not home but then I see her coat and handbag. Silently I tiptoe to her room and replace her sleeping.

My heart cramps when I see the tearstains on her cheeks. I am responsible for that. Nobody else. I do not want to make her cry. I want her to be happy.

Softly I sit down next to her and lean forward. She moans in her sleep when I tenderly kiss her on the lips.

Through a haze, she looks at me lovingly for a moment, but her eyes start blazing when she realizes I am sitting next to her.

"Do you visit all your employees when they are on sick leave?" She groans as she sits up.

"Only when they're faking it," I smile.

She moans softly as she places her fingers in front of her mouth.

"Are you okay?" I frown when I notice she is paler than a moment ago.

"I am sick," she stands up and walks to the bathroom. "I'm sick of your shit."

"I'm sorry I'm such a jerk," I stand up and follow her. "And I'm here to make it up to you."

"I need privacy," she looks me dead in the eyes before she shuts the door and I lean against the wall.

"Liana, I'm serious," I shout at the door. "We need to talk."

But the only response I get is unearthly sounds.

"Liana?" I ask urgently but the sounds continue.

Worried out of my mind, I open the door and stare in horror at Liana that is bent over the toilet.

"You are sick," I rush to her side. I did not think she was serious. I thought she was only trying to get rid of me.

"Go away," she croaks before a fresh wave of nausea overcomes her.

"I'm taking you to the doctor," I say adamantly.

"There's no need," she grunts as she flushes the toilet and rinses her mouth.

"I'm fine," she takes out her toothbrush. "It's just stress."

"You're not fine," I protest as I look at her - really look at her. "You've lost weight and you're pale. You need a doctor."

"I said no," she mumbles with a mouth full of toothpaste.

"I don't care..."

"Dammit, Axel," she cuts me off and rinses her mouth before she turns to me. "Give it a rest. Tomorrow is the due date with Wilson, and I'm stressed out about it, okay? I don't need a doctor." "I don't like this," I frown. I am still not convinced that she is simply stressed out.

"Neither do I," she pushes past me and walks to the kitchen. "Throwing up is my least fun activity."

"What can I do to make it better?" I ask as I take a seat at the kitchen counter.

"Nothing," she smiles weakly as she pours water into the kettle. "You're doing everything you can to keep me and Nina safe."

"David is taking Nina to a hotel tonight," I inform her as I watch her making tea. "He will stay with her until we catch Wilson."

"I know," she nods. "Nina told me and she's excited about it."

"Between me and you," Liana gives me a mischievous look. "I think Nina has a huge crush on David."

"Between me and you, David is her mate," I grin.

"Seriously?" Liana nearly spills the tea as she sits down and gapes at me.

"Yup," I reach over and take my cup. "David told me."

"But she hasn't said a word to me," Liana pouts.

"He hasn't told her yet," I take a sip. "He's waiting for her to recover from Wilson."

"But why?" She frowns. "That's wasting time."

For a moment I look at my tea for answers. Now is the perfect time to tell her that she is my mate. But she is literally sick with worry, and I do not know if she can handle more. "What would you have said if I told you I'm your mate after you rejected Wyatt?" I ask as I look her dead in the eyes.

"Let's see," she taps her finger against her chin as she thinks. "Yeah, you're right. David should give her time. Because I would've rejected you on the spot. Once burned, twice shy."

I slowly nod as I inhale deeply. Knowing that I was right does not make it any better. It only confirms my fear that I might lose her.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" I change the subject and reprimand myself for being a coward. I am not ready for her rejection.

"As ready as I can be," she chuckles nervously.

"You won't be alone," I reach over and take her hand in mine. "I promise. I will be with you the entire time."

"I know," she swallows and pulls her hand away. "It's just... this is new to me. All this drama. My life used to be delightfully boring and predictable."

"I'm sorry for adding stress to your life," I say sincerely.

"Please," she rolls her eyes. "This thing with Wilson would've happened with or without you."

"I'm talking about Angela," I say softly.

"You can't control crazy," she chuckles awkwardly. "It's not your fault."

"I'm so sorry..."

"Listen, Axel," she looks at me with sincerity. "I came to you, not the other way around. You don't owe me an apology. I owe you. I call you an asshole and that's unfair. You helped with my dad and now with Nina. You gave me a job and are paying for my education. You have been nothing but kind and helpful. I wouldn't have survived these past months if it weren't for you."

But before I can say a word, her eyes widen, and she jumps up and runs away. Hastily, I follow her and replace her in the bathroom next to the toilet.

"That's it," I growl as I pick her up when she is done being sick. "This is not normal. You're going to the doctor."

"I'm fine," she starts crying and I gently lay her down on the bed.

"Okay, okay," I soothe as I sit next to her and stroke her hair. "The doctor will come here."

"I don't need a doctor," she sniffs as she pulls a pillow over her head. "Go away, this is embarrassing."

"Liana, how long has this been going on?" I ignore her plea.

"It started yesterday," she mumbles.

"I don't believe you," I say patiently. "You've lost too much weight."

"I lost weight because I haven't eaten okay," she says furiously as she jerks the pillow from her face. "I missed you and I couldn't eat. Happy now?"

"Not at all," I chuckle as I pick her up and cradle her against my chest.

"Let me go," she starts wiggling. "I was sick, and I smell."

"Shut up," I hold her tighter. "I'm not kissing you."

"I missed you so much," she throws her arms around my neck and starts crying.

"I missed you too," I bury my face in her neck and hold her tightly. When I came here, I expected to grovel for another chance. I did not expect an apology and a confession.

But the joy and happiness I feel are overshadowed by worry as I stroke her back. I can feel her bones underneath my fingers. I do not care how much she fights me on this, but she will see a doctor today. She neglected herself by not eating for three weeks and now she cannot even hold down a cup of tea.

I close my eyes and mind-link Michelle to get here immediately.

"Can I get you anything?" I ask when her crying stops.

"A breath mint," she groans.

"I'm not a woman with a magic handbag full of tricks," I say jokingly, and she laughs softly.

"Fine," she wiggles out of my arms. "I'll go brush my teeth."

"Stop worrying," she makes her eyes big at me when I follow her to the bathroom. "This will pass once Wilson is out of the picture."

"The doctor is on her way," I cross my arms in front of my chest as I lean against the frame.

"So unnecessary," she rolls her eyes.

"Better safe than sorry," I reply and push myself upright when there is a knock on the door. "Finish up, I'll answer the door."