Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 82

Liana

POV

"Are you okay?" Axel asks softly and takes my hand as Drew parks in front of the mansion.

"I was," I inhale deeply and swallow the bile that is rising in my throat. After Jack stormed out of the office, I was relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the day. "I'm either experiencing a new symptom or I'm nervous. I have an overwhelming urge to be sick." "Here you go, sweetie," Drew turns towards us and hands me a packet of salt and vinegar chips. "This will help."

"Thanks," I mumble and gratefully open the packet.

"What?" Drew asks Axel when he stares at him in surprise. "Do you also want?"

"No," he snorts and looks at me with concern. "I'm impressed with your readiness."

"Well, of course, I'm going to be a grandpa," Drew snorts as if it is the most natural conclusion, and my heart melts. Drew and Carol are how I imagine parents should be. "I must be ready for everything."

"See?" He reaches into the glovebox and pulls out a cigar. "I even have you covered for when it's time."

"You're the man, Drew," Axel chuckles. "Or should I say gramps?"

"What if your parents don't like me?" I mumble as I devour the chips as if it is my last meal. As entertaining as their banter is, it does absolutely fuck all to calm my nerves.

"Then they're idiots," Drew blurts out and quickly looks at Axel. "No disrespect."

Axel only grins and shakes his head at Drew before he turns his attention to me.

"Liana, you're perfect and there's nothing not to like," he says patiently.

"I love you," I smile and tenderly stroke his cheek. "And I appreciate what you're trying to do, but let's cut the crap. Your parents like Angela, and they're going to hate me."

"No, they like Angela's parents," he pulls me into his embrace. "Huge difference."

"But..."

He smothers my protest with a kiss, and I participate eagerly.

"Liana," he murmurs against my lips after a moment. "Don't work yourself up about things you have no control over. If my parents don't like you, which I doubt, it would be their problem. I love you and I'm not going anywhere."

"I don't want to come between you and them," I sigh as I nestle closer to his chest. "I know how hard it is to lose parents."

"It will not come to that," he says urgently and cups my face. "And darling, there's no choice. You're my future."

"I don't want to interrupt," Drew whispers as he opens his door. "But we have company."

"Everything will be fine," he smiles reassuringly and kisses me quickly before Drew opens the door for us.

I step out and inhale deeply when I see his father waiting. I am doing my utmost best not to freak out and run for the hills. I want to be the strong and fearless Luna Axel deserves, but meeting the parents is harder than I imagined. Because I have a desperate need for them to like me. I already screwed it up with my parents, I do not want a repeat.

Axel takes my hand and I steel myself when he leads me towards his father.

"Hello, Dad," Axel pulls me close to his side. "Meet my mate, Liana."

"It's an honour, Alpha," I smile bravely.

Grant looks from Axel to me, and his eyes rest a moment on me before he swings around.

"My office, now," he barks and turns around.

"He likes you," Axel quickly whispers in my ear.

I do not say a word as we follow Grant. Are Axel and I even at the same place? His father did not even acknowledge my existence, how can he possibly think he likes me?

Axel POV

Liana's tension is tangible as we walk to Dad's office. I wish I could ease things for her but nothing that I can say will help. I did not lie when I said Dad likes her. She does not know him the way I do, and I saw it in his eyes.

"Where's Mother?" I ask as I put my arm protectively around her shoulder and pull her closer.

"Here," her voice is cold and her glare icy as she looks at us. "But not by choice."

With her head held high, she strides past us and sits down.

"So, what Jack said is true," she raises her eyebrows.

"Depends on what he told you," I snort. "But yes, I did replace my mate."

"Well," Mother huffs. "Speak, I don't have the whole day."

"You know what, Mother," I hiss as I fight my anger. "With that attitude, you can shove it."

"Axel Silvermann!" Dad bellows and Liana cowers closer to me. "You shall not talk to your mother that way."

"And I will not tolerate her dismissive behaviour towards my mate," I shout back as I hold on tighter to Liana. "Neither of you even had the decency to greet her. You're supposed to be the leading example for the pack, and this is how you behave. She is my true mate and I love her. Liana is your future daughter-in-law and mother of my child whether you like it or not. Your approval will not change anything. Either you accept her, or you'll lose me."

"I didn't raise you ..."

"Enough!" Dad snaps and silences Mother. "Both of you. We're all adults here."

I look Mother in the eyes until she breaks eye contact.

"Now," Dad continues calmly. "Let's all have a seat."

Liana's hands are trembling as we take a seat next to each other on the couch.

"I'm sorry you had to replace out this way," my words are steady and clear. "But I had no choice."

"There's always a choice," Mother sneers.

"Not when you're being manipulated, Mom," I look at her. "The four of you were so eager to marry me and Angela that you made it impossible for me to tell you the truth."

"Son, that's not fair," Dad frowns. "We only suggested Angela because you didn't have a mate."

"Should I remind you about our fight?" I squint my eyes at him. "You were ready to disown me if I didn't agree to marry Angela."

"Because you didn't have a mate then," he sighs tiredly.

"I did," I admit, and Dad's eyes widen. "I already found Liana, but I couldn't tell you because Angela tried to kill her."

"That's preposterous," Mom yells.

"Bullshit!" Dad explodes.

"See?" I smirk at them. "Right there, that's the reason why I didn't come to you. You were so impressed with yourselves and the solution that I should marry Angela, that you're blind to the truth. It didn't matter to you that I said no. Or that I'm not attracted to Angela or even like her. All that mattered to you was your plan and your ideals. For fuck's sake, it wasn't even a private discussion. You bombarded me right there in front of Angela and her parents."

"Why are you saying such hurtful things?" Mom starts crying. "We've known Angela her entire life. She's sweet and kind."

"She's unstable and needs professional help," I insist.

"I need a drink," Dad grunts as he gets up and pours himself a stiff one.

"This is your fault," Mother glares at Liana. "You're poisoning Axel with lies."

"Mom," I warn her. "I swear to the goddess, I will pack my stuff and leave. I would rather be a rogue with Liana than an alpha without her."

"How did you expect me to react, Axel?" Mother explodes. "You banned our friends from our territory and rejected the perfect candidate for a Luna. Who, I should add, we've known since birth. Now you waltz in here with this... this human girl as a mate and throw accusations of manipulation and instability. We know and trust Angela's family. Of course, it makes sense that this human is spreading toxic lies."

"I'm your son!" I lose my temper and jump up. "How about you give me the benefit of the doubt and trust what I have to say? You're so concerned about your friends, that you're deaf for your own child."

"Your father and I..."

"Wife, shut up," Dad huffs as he slumps down in his chair.

"Excuse me?" Mom gasps indignantly.

"You heard me," Dad sighs like an old man. "Axel is right. We made it impossible for him to come to us with the truth. If we'd listened to him, all of this ugliness could've been avoided. Suck it up and apologize."

"I will do no such thing," Mom screams.

"Then get out," Dad shrugs.

"Grant Silvermann," Mom hisses. "You better ..."

"Get out of my office!" Dad looks at her with blazing eyes. "If you can't face the facts, go be hysterical elsewhere."

"You're not sleeping in the bed tonight," Mother huffs as she storms out of the office.

"It won't be the first time," Dad shouts after her.

"Wow, Dad," I look at him with concern. "I appreciate the support but she's still your wife."

"Son, you're a grown-ass man and about to get married," he sighs. "Here's a tip - couples fight. Which is normal and healthy and it's all good as long as you make up. If you can't make up or don't care to fight, your marriage is in trouble." "I know, but you threw her out of your office," I argue.

"And I threw you with a tomato," Liana chimes in and Dad bursts out laughing.

"See?" He laughs. "She gets it. You didn't leave her because of that. You're here fighting for your mate."

"Alpha," Liana clears her throat. "I'm sorry for causing trouble."

"Nah," he waves at her. "We owe you and Axel an apology. All of this could've been avoided if we created an environment where Axel could come to us. I'm sorry, son."

"Thanks, Dad," I say flabbergasted as I sit down next to Liana. Father has never apologized to me before in his life.

"Tell me everything," Dad gets up and pours himself another drink.

Liana gives me an encouraging smile and I take her hand before I start talking.