Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 74

Liana POV

I take a deep breath as I stroke the imaginary wrinkles out of my black jacket before I walk to the car. Today is Leon's funeral and my nerves are shattered.

If not for Stanley, I would not have known the funeral is today. My parents are still ignoring my calls, and I have stopped trying. I know I am not welcome, but I am still going. He was my brother, after all.

Axel has been my rock. For hours, he listened to me whining, crying and complaining. He wiped my tears and encouraged me. He made me feel loved and wanted when my parents tossed me aside. In the days that passed, I opened up to him and shared all my insecurities and beliefs. Not once did he look at me like I am a moron or uneducated, even though we did not always agree.

Drew smiles kindly at me as he holds open the car door for me.

"Thanks, Drew," I say as I get in and immediately snuggle closer to Axel.

"You smell nice," Axel takes my hand.

"Thank you," I squeeze his hand. "And you should like it, you bought it."

"Man, I have the best taste," he grins at me, and I laugh softly.

"I've been thinking a lot about what you said yesterday," I turn to look at him. "And you're right, I need a backbone."

"That's not what I've said," he protests.

"You might as well," I laugh. "I have allowed my family to walk over me for too long. Even when I told them no, I would give in eventually. I have no backbone." "You'll grow one," he smirks. "With time."

"I would've done so many things differently if I had one," I sigh. "For starters, I wouldn't have been so indecisive and second-guessing everything.".

"And you would've confessed your love for me sooner," he bats his eyes ridiculously at me.

"That's supposed to be the man's job," I bump his shoulder.

"Please," he rolls his eyes at me. "Your kind burned bras for the privilege to say it first."

"Because your kind sucked at it," I smirk.

"Oh, really," he leans over and gently caress my neck with his lips. "We'll have to revisit this conversation next week when you're cleared for duty."

"Duty?" I gasp pretentiously. "Keep it up, mister. I will develop a headache in a heartbeat."

"You were so much easier to seduce before you started growing a backbone," he growls theatrically.

**

Axel and I are standing silently next to each other while watching from a distance. No matter how much I fought it, insecurities and fear found their way into my heart. For more than two decades, I was moulded by my family and breaking the chains is harder than I thought it would be. It is easy to say I am going to do it, but the reality is much harder.

Today is going to be hard enough on my parents, I do not need to make it harder for them. And it has nothing to do with my feelings but out of respect for theirs. Leon was my blood, but we were never close. I am here - regardless of the distance - and that is enough.

Mother's cries echo around me as the coffin lowers and my nails dig into Axel's skin. Dad bows his head, and his shoulders are shaking as he sobs. I bite hard onto my quivering bottom lip. My biggest loss is my father. I would give anything to comfort him at this

moment.

"We should go," I croak as I turn away.

"Okay," Axel drapes his arm around my shoulder and leads me back to the car.

**

Two weeks! The thought shoots through my mind and I jump out of bed. I do not have words to describe how much I have been looking forward to this moment. Returning to work on a Friday is ridiculous, but I have been homebound long enough. To make things worse, Axel left for Dallas a day after the funeral.

But today everything will return to normal. Axel is coming home, and I am cleared for work and other activities.

It is the other activities that have my heart racing. I am sexually frustrated, there is no denying it. Axel has arranged a special night for us, and I cannot wait to be marked by him. Plus, I have finally finished Axel's surprise to announce my pregnancy.

In record time, I shower and dress before enjoying a huge breakfast. I managed to pick up some of the weight I have lost, and Michelle is satisfied with the baby's development. I have a standing appointment with her every week to check on the baby. I do not want to screw it up.

There is a bounce in my step as I grab my handbag and leave for the office.

**

By the time the elevator door pings, Juliana and I have caught up on gossip and enjoyed our morning break. I look up eagerly in anticipation to see Axel but my heart drops to my feet when Angela walks towards us.

"Of, for fuck's sake," I grunt as I lower my gaze and ignore her. Which god in what universe did I piss off that my perfect day must be spoiled by her?

"Good morning," Angela's voice is sweet and friendly, and I nearly choke. I have no idea how to handle a friendly Angela.

"How can I help?" Juliana rescues me and I could kiss her feet out of gratitude.

"I'm here to surprise my fiancé," Angela pouts as she holds her ring up high and I roll my eyes.

"He hasn't returned yet," Juliana informs her. "He's been in Dallas the whole week."

"I know," Angela snaps fiercely. "He's my fiancé."

There she is, I grin inwardly. The real Angela and it only took her three minutes to surface.

"Anyway," she pouts as she admires her ring. "I'll just wait for him in his office. I'm wearing something special."

"Would you like something to drink while you wait?" Juliana offers.

"Arsenic," I mumble under my breath.

"Excuse me?" Her head jerks my way.

"Apple juice," I smile. "We have fresh apple juice."

"Urgh," she rolls her eyes at me and turns back to Juliana. "As I was saying, I simply cannot forget our last night together. Being pinned to the wall while he pleased me. It was so hot."

My fingers cramp around my pen as my ears start ringing. This cannot be true. She is lying. Axel assured me he had not slept with her, and I believed him. He is not a psycho like Angela, and I choose to believe him. But that does not make it easier to hear her say the words.

"I need apple juice," I announce as I get up. The faster I get away from this conversation the better. I am fighting really hard to keep this day disaster-free.

At that moment Axel walks in and our eyes lock for a moment.

"Baby," Angela squeals and splinters the moment she runs into his arms. "You're home, I've missed you so much."

"What are you doing here?" Axel scoffs as he pushes her away.

"Surprising you," she pouts. "You've been so busy lately and we have a wedding to arrange."

"Not now," he brushes her off. "I have work to do."

"I'll wait," she chirps and takes a seat on the couch by Juliana's desk. "It's the weekend, baby. Once you're done here, you're all mine."

"Ladies, my office please," Axel looks at me and Juliana before he turns to Angela. "Not you, you stay."

Angela's eyes harden but she only nods, and I can feel her eyes on me as we walk into Axel's office.

"How long has she been here?" Axel asks as he closes the door and turns to us.

"About ten minutes, I guess," Juliana replies and looks at me for confirmation.

"Long enough to brag about her orgasm against the wall," I say dryly as I cross my arms in front of my chest, and I notice how Axel pales.

"Juliana," Axel takes his wallet out. "I'll give you ten thousand dollars right now if you get that woman off my back."

"Ex ... excuse me?" She gapes at him.

"Here," Axel takes out a platinum card and hands it over to her. "Take her shopping or whatever. Just keep her occupied long enough so I can get out of town, please." "You're serious," her fingers are slightly trembling as she takes the card.

"Yes," Axel says adamantly. "I'll transfer ten thousand into your account tonight. Use that card to entertain Angela."

"Okay," she beams and dashes out of the door.

"I can explain," Axel looks at me pleadingly. "It's not how it sounds like."

"Please don't," I hold my hand up and close my eyes for a moment before I look at him. "I don't think I'm ready to hear it, Axel. This day started so good; I don't want to ruin it."

"Liana, I didn't sleep with her, I swear," he continues, and I can hear the desperation in his voice.

"I believe you," I plaster a smile on my face. "But I'm on the verge of losing my shit, Axel. I need a moment to calm down before you tell me your version of pinning her against the wall while you pleasure her. And it was so hot. Her words, not mine." "But what about us?" Axel calls as I walk to the door.

"What about us?" I frown as I turn around.

"We had plans," he walks towards me. "I made reservations."

us."

"Axel, if you think that I'm going to allow that bitch to ruin my day, you should think again," I say determinately. "She nearly killed me, and I had to lose everything to finally grow up and learn what's important. You might not have marked me, but I'm committed to "So, you're not mad?" He asks cautiously.

"I'm not mad," I look him in the eyes. "I'm fucking furious. But I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt because you're my mate and she's certifiable. So, I'm going to walk out of here to the coffee shop across the street. I'm going to order a delicious slice of cheesecake and I'm going to eat it with a spoon. Because if they give me a fork, I might stab Angela in the eye."

"I love you," Axel says softly.

"I love you too," I turn around and leave the office with long strides.