Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 88

Axel POV

"Where is she?" I call out to Adele when I see her waiting in front of Michelle's office door. "What happened?"

"She got angry," Adele replies. "Liana said it feels like she's about to have a heart attack. Michelle is with her."

"Do you know why she got so angry?" My guts are in turmoil. I do not think it was a heart attack, I think she was about she shift.

"She and your mother had a fight," Adele replies uncomfortably. "I don't know what about, but you could hear them screaming at each other from miles away."

Her answer is like a punch in the gut. I am not blind to Mother's attitude towards Liana, but I never thought it would go this far. Secretly I hoped Mom would stop her nonsense when she sees how happy I am. "Good," Michelle says as she comes out of her office. "You're here, we need to talk."

"How is she?" I ask urgently.

"Asleep," her answer is abrupt as she looks from me to Adele. "I gave her wolf's tranquillizer."

"Are you insane?" I hiss as I fight panic and anguish. "How can you give her that without knowing if it is safe for her and the baby?"

"I don't need case studies anymore, Alpha," Michelle stands her ground. "Not after what I've just witnessed."

"We need to talk," I grunt and push my fingers through my hair.

"That's what I've said," she replies stiffly.

"Adele," I look at her. "Guard Liana until we get back."

"Yes, sir," she nods, and I follow Michelle to an empty examination room.

"She was about to shift, wasn't she?" I ask as she closes the door behind us.

"Without a doubt," she sighs heavily. "There was already fur on her arm when I injected her. Ten more minutes and it would've been too late."

"Are you sure the tranquillizer wouldn't harm her?" I ask concerned.

"Yes," she nods. "Its sole purpose is to keep the wolf dormant and human alive. Liana cannot shift, Axel. If she does, your son will die."

"We cannot possibly keep her sedated for another five months," I protest eagerly.

"I know that," she continues calmly. "And we won't. I'm going to give her a mild sedative that she should take daily. It contains a small amount of Wolfsbane. Her wolf will be calm and suppressed while she can go by her day as usual. It won't affect her, only her wolf." "And our baby?" My heart pulls painfully as I think of the damage that it could do to him. "How's it going to affect him?"

"It won't," she smiles reassuringly. "Thousands of she-wolves use it during pregnancy."

"Listen," I exhale deeply. "I know Liana can't shift, but is this absolutely necessary? Is it really worth risking her wolf and our baby? Liana didn't lose control, she got angry. This isn't a daily occurrence."

"It's necessary," Michelle exclaims frustrated. "You didn't see her, Axel, I did. And I'm telling you, Liana's wolf reflects her. You know her history better than anybody else. You know her demons and her determination to fight and survive. Her drive to protect, not only herself but others. Every time she feels threatened, or that somebody she cares for is threatened, she's going to have to fight the shift. You can thank your lucky stars she had enough sense to come to me when she did."

Speechless I stare at Michelle as her words sink in. Not only has she survived her parents' neglect, but she also survived Brad and Angela. Still, she is the one who fought me not to kill Angela and Wilson. She is the one who said we should help and support Gwen. She protects everyone. And when she was sick, she did not want to see Michelle, I had to force her. This time she went to Michelle out on her own.

"Axel," Michelle smiles softly as she looks at me. "Liana's wolf is an alpha. And not just by your blood, but by her personality. She's going to be one hell of a Luna."

"That's if she survives this," I croak as I fight the overwhelming emotions of despair and fear.

"Aren't you listening?" Michelle raises her eyebrows. "Liana's a survivor. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't help her and ease her way. She's going to make it, Axel. And we'll support her every step of the way." "How long until she wakes up?" I ask eagerly. I need to hold her and reassure myself she is fine.

"At least two more hours," she replies. "But I'm keeping her overnight for observation."

"Okay," I nod. "I'll be back with my stuff. I'm staying with her."

"I'll make the arrangements," Michelle smiles.

"And I'm not sleeping in a chair," I warn. "Get a double bed."

"Axel, you know I can't ..."

"That wasn't a request, Michelle," I grunt brusquely as I leave the room.

I mind-link Adele to stay with Liana before I hurry home.

**

"Mother!" I bellow as I burst through the front door and storm towards Dad's office. I have no idea what happened and who is at fault, but I am sure she is already stating her case with him. Mom is sitting on the couch, sobbing her eyes out while Dad comforts her.

"Axel," Dad looks confused and hurt when he looks at me. "We need to talk, son."

"Damn right, we should," I snort as I take a seat opposite them. "What have you done, Mother?"

"Me?" Mother sniffs distraught before she turns to Dad. "See what I mean? She has turned him against me. Me! His mother."

"Axel," Dad says patiently. "Please take a moment and listen to her before you decide it's her fault."

"Okay," I nod and plaster a smile on my face. If this is how Mom wants to play it, I will play along. Dad smiles appreciatively at me and Mother's shoulders relax. "I'm listening."

"It was horrible, Axel," tears stream down her face as she looks at me. "Her direct words were, f**k you and your title. She has no respect for me."

"Yeah," I chuckle. "That sounds like her."

"How can you laugh about it?" Father growls. "She has no right talking to your mother like that. I don't care that she's your mate and future Luna. There are boundaries."

"I couldn't agree more," my laughter disappears, and I look at Mother in anger. "I also know Liana would only say such a thing when provoked. So, Mother, what have you done?" "Nothing to deserve such an outburst," Mother shouts defensively. "I told her she turned you against me and this just proves it. I don't know what she told you ..."

"Nothing," I jump up and her tears dry up. "Liana hasn't told me anything because she's sedated and in the hospital."

"Is she okay?" Dad asks concerned. "Why is she sedated?"

"Because she's weak," Mother snorts. "Just like I've been saying the entire time. One argument and she's hospitalised. How on earth do you want to run a pack with a weak human?" "Mother," I close my eyes and take deep breaths as I open and close my fists to keep calm. "You don't know what you're talking about. So, I advise you to keep your mouth shut." "Axel," she gasps.

"Son," Dad warns softly. "Don't say things you could regret."

"Liana has a wolf," I glare at Mother, and she visibly pales. "If you took a minute to get to know her or show an ounce of interest in her and our baby, you would've known that. She's not in the hospital because she's weak. She's there because she's strong enough to fight the shift and keep our baby alive. So, I'm asking you again, Mother. What did you say to her that made her so angry that she was about to shift? What did you do that nearly cost me my mate and child?"

"That's rich," Mother sneers. "Because she can't control her wolf, I must walk on eggshells in my own home?"

"She did control her wolf!" I yell. "Because if she didn't, you'd be dead along with my child. Stop avoiding my questions and answer me before I humiliate you and call in the Omegas to report."

"I told her to leave," Mother jumps up and her eyes do not waver from mine. "If she really loves you, she will leave the baby and disappear. She doesn't belong here, and I told her so."

"You said what?" Dad mumbles before I can replace the words.

"I was simply being truthful," Mother defends herself. "The two of you are so smitten with her, that you can't see what's right in front of you."

"And what's that, Mom?" My words are a mere whisper.

"A lowlife, trailer trash girl whose parents couldn't love her," she snorts in disgust. "And now she found a way to worm herself into wolf royalty."

"You know what, Mother," I crank my neck to relieve the tension. "Liana was right. F**k you and your title."

"Axel, please," Dad intervenes. "Your mother made a mistake, but can we please talk about this?"

"I'm not mistaken," Mother explodes. "You're blind to the truth."

"That's enough," Dad warns her, and she goes quiet, but I do not miss the challenging pullback of her shoulders. "I'm trying to salvage this and you're making it worse every time you open your mouth."

"Don't bother, Dad," I smile sadly at him before I look Mother in the eyes. "She's entitled to her opinions. But so am I. Liana and I won't be staying here any longer. This is the alpha's house. Once I take over, my Luna and I will move in. You're welcome to stay, Dad, but Mother's no longer welcome in my house or near my mate and child."

"Axel, please," Dad begs. "Don't decide in anger."

"Father, I respect that you're fighting for your mate," I rest my hand on his shoulder, and he suddenly looks ten years older. "And it should be like that. The same way I'm standing up for mine. But until Mother apologizes to Liana, I do not want to see her." Dad's eyes fill with tears, as I turn around and walk away.