Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 95

Axel POV

"Hey, David," I stand next to him at the bar. "How are things with Nina? Have you told her yet?"

"Ten minutes ago," he sighs heavily before finishing his drink in one swallow.

"That bad?" I ask concerned.

"Seems I won't be your beta after all," he smirks sadly. "I need my true mate, and she's leaning towards rejecting me."

"Are you sure?" I frown. "Nina told Liana she's in love with you. I don't think she ..."

"She walked away," David interrupts me. "She gave me a look, turned around and walked away. So, thank you for the offer, Alpha, but my mate's not interested."

"David," I try to stop him when he turns around, but he keeps on walking, and I turn back to the bar.

It would be a shame if David declined the position. Nick has already handed in his resignation, and I don't want anybody other than David.

"Axel!" Dad calls and I turn around.

He is at his table waving at me and I nod. I order my drink and walk to him and Mother.

"Where's your beautiful bride?" Dad asks jovially as I take a seat at their table.

"Bridesmaid business," I smile, and suddenly it hits me why Nina wanted to talk to Liana so urgently. It is about David confessing he is her mate. Well, at least I know there is no one better to advise Nina on the subject than Liana. She would know exactly what to say and I am sure David will be my beta, after all.

"I had my doubts," Mother says through tight lips. "But everything is tasteful and beautiful. She did a good job."

"Mom," I rest my hand on hers. "You should tell her that. It would mean the world to her."

"I'm afraid I'm not there yet," Mother admits. "But I'm getting there."

"This is a start," I sigh. Pressuring her is not going to speed things up. It might only make things worse. It would be best if I allow her the time she needs. "Thank you."

"Sorry for interrupting," Mary and Jack stand next to us. "But we're on our way."

"Thanks for coming," Dad jumps up and shakes Jack's hand before he walks away in the direction of the bar. Since the incident with Angela, Dad has very little to say to them.

"So soon?" Mother protests. "Dessert has not even been served."

"I'm afraid so," Mary looks at Mom and avoids me. "We had enough of this ... event for one night."

"I was hoping you'd spend the night," Mother stands up and hugs Mary. "Are you sure there's nothing I can say to change your mind?"

"No," Mary smiles sadly. "We don't like being away from home. We don't want Angela to be alone when she wakes up."

I ignore the glare she directs my way and take a huge gulp from my Whiskey. Mary and Jack are in denial. Angela is never going to wake up. Not after crashing her head twice against a wall and once on a solid wooden table.

"I understand," Mom says sympathetically. "Thanks for coming."

"You're welcome," Mary nods. "And good luck with ... you know."

"Good luck with what?" The words blurt out before I could stop myself. I am not an idiot. I know she is referring to Liana and I will not stand for it.

"The disappointment," Mary's glare is cold as she replies through tight lips. "And having a human as a Luna. Goddess knows what deficiencies your child's going to have."

"Disappointment?" My voice is deceitfully calm as I rise out of my chair and walk to her.

"Are you deaf or slow?" Mary sneers. "You're a disappointment to your parents. You broke down everything your father has worked for. You're going to run this pack and the business into the ground within five years."

"Mary, enough!" Mother snaps before I can respond. "Axel is doing an excellent job. I understand you're heartbroken about Angela, but you can't blame him for her condition. He found his mate and respected our laws. That isn't his fault and what happened to Angela was an accident."

"Where you there?" Mary looks cooly at Mother. "Because Angela can't defend herself and all we have is his account of events."

"Jack was there," I growl and glare at him, but Jack only looks at me with empty eyes. "And so was my dad and an Omega. She attacked me."

"Because you provoked her," Mary spits the words. "My daughter wouldn't harm a fly."

"She's a cold-blooded killer," I hiss furiously. "She..."

"She's too much of a coward to harm a fly," Liana growls behind me and everybody goes quiet. "She locks you up in a bathroom and then leaves you to die."

My heart nearly stops as I look into her fiery blue eyes. She just growled! Instantly I am at her side and take her wrist.

"Don't worry," her words are soft while her eyes are fixated on Mary. "I'm not about to shift. It's under control."

"Oh, please," Mary's laugh is humourless and ugly. "You don't have anything under control. You'll die with your first shift, you're too weak."

"You think you're superior because you're a born wolf," Liana walks closer to Mary, and she takes a step backwards. "You're stronger and faster than humans and you got comfortable. Angela hasn't worked a day in her life. What she wanted; you gave to her. And when she couldn't get it, she took it by any means necessary. I was born a human and grew up poor and I'm grateful for that. It made me strong, and it taught me to fight. Not only am I controlling my own alpha wolf, but I'm growing one as well. And not once did I have to kill, manipulate or oppress somebody else to get here. What you call weak, I call self-control."

"You're an abomination," Mary looks at Liana in disgust.

"Woman, I will rip your head off," I growl and take a step forward, but Liana takes my hand and I look at her.

"Let her be," Liana says softly. "She's entitled to her opinion, and I couldn't care less what she thinks of me. Her opinion won't change the fact that we're going home as a family while she has to return home where sorrow lives."

"That was a cruel thing to say," Mary looks at Liana with hatred. "You're going to be a mother soon and you better start praying that you never have to experience such a loss."

"Are you threatening her or my grandchild?" The fire in Mother's voice surprises me. "Because neither is acceptable."

"Neither," Mary looks at Mom. "But now I know I've lost my best friend's support. Come on, Jack, we overstayed our welcome."

Mary takes Jake's arm and together they walk away. I mind-link security to ensure that they leave our premises before I turn to Liana.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I gently rub up and down her arms.

"Feel my heart rate," she takes my hand and presses it against her pulse. "I'm fine."

"I'm not," Mother sighs. "I need a drink."

"Mrs Silvermann, I'm..."

"No, Liana," Mother cuts her off. "This time you don't apologize. This time I'm on your side."

Mother smiles stiffly at Liana before she walks towards the bar.

"Are all wolf weddings this dramatic?" Liana looks flabbergasted at me.

"You have a room filled with alphas, what did you expect?" I laugh as I pull her into my embrace.

"At least we got married in peace," she smiles as her arms go around my waist. "My dad was here."

"What?" I look down at her in astonishment. "Why didn't you mind-link me? I would've been there in a heartbeat."

"I wasn't in any danger," she looks up at me. "He's an old and broken man."

"Emotional support, love," I lean over and kiss her. "I wouldn't have kicked him out or beaten him up, but I could have at least been there if you needed a hand to hold on to."

"I know," she smiles sadly. "I wanted to face him alone, Axel. I needed to figure out if I could stand my ground without backup."

"I get it," I smile. "Just remember I'm here for you, always."

"My mother's dying," she sighs against my chest and holds on tighter to me as she tells me what happened. "I should see her."

"I'll go with you," I kiss her on the top of her head.

"You don't have to," she replies softly. "I can handle it."

"Liana," I sit down and pull her onto my lap. "I don't doubt your abilities, but I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you or Wolfie. I'll stay out of your way if you need me to, but please don't go without me." "You're a good husband, Alpha Silvermann," she cups my face and kisses me lovingly.