Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 99

Axel POV

Liana and I are lovestruck imbeciles looking down on the tiny mouth feeding on her. To say that I am in awe of this perfection, this pure love, would be an understatement. People always tell you how beautiful the miracle of life is, but no one can comprehend it until it happens to you.

I knew I was going to be a father and I knew that I love him but I never knew that the reality would be so overwhelming. My heart simply is not big enough to contain all these feelings of love and contentment. "I'll take him," I offer as I stand up when Connor is finished drinking.

I throw a towel over my shoulder and place him upright against my chest as I pace up and down in the room while rubbing his back. Less than a minute later, he softly burbs.

"Nice moves, Alpha," Liana yawns as she makes herself comfortable in the bed. "I'm impressed."

"Why do you sound so surprised?" I pretend to be offended. "I know how to google."

"Well, congratulations on reading the instructions," she laughs softly. "Let's hope you're just as successful with diapers."

"You're not going to poop, are you?" I look at Connor as I talk to him in a ridiculous voice like most people do when they talk to babies and cute animals. "No, you're a good boy." "He'll also be a constipated and crying boy," Liana snorts.

"He's sleeping," I whisper as I look at him in wonder.

Gently, I kiss him on the forehead and lay him down on the bassinet next to Liana.

"He's prettier than you," Liana looks at me with a twinkle in her eye.

"I know," I mumble as I lean over and kiss her. "But not prettier than you."

"It's compliments like that which got me pregnant," she grins.

"You should get some rest," I sit down next to her on the bed. "You can bet that you'll be swamped by visitors later tonight. Nina already tried to come, and my parents haven't had nearly enough time earlier." "Will you go check in on Wyatt's son?" She asks.

"Yes," I smile. "But I'll be back before you wake up, promise."

"I love you," she cups my face.

"I love you more," I kiss her once more before I leave with a heavy heart.

Liana POV

A shuffling noise wakes me. I open my eyes and for a moment I have no idea where I am. I do not move or make a sound until I remember. Wolfie was born. Happiness and love spread through me.

As Axel predicted, my room was filled with people during visiting hours. Michelle tried her best to enforce hospital procedures which allow only two visitors at a time, but both Axel and Grant overruled her. At eight o'clock, Michelle put her foot down and chased everyone out besides Axel.

He did an exceptional job helping me to bath and dress Connor. After I fed Connor, Axel put him to bed and went home for a shower.

Fussing noises are coming from Connor's bassinet behind me and I am about to turn around when alarms go off in my head. Something is not right.

My body is in sensory overload when I pick up a strange scent and deep breathing.

Axel, are you back? I mind-link him.

No, I'm closing a deal. Do you need something? He replies.

Give me a moment, I link back.

This could be my imagination and I do not want to alarm him without reason. But I know somebody is in this room and it is not a nurse. She would have turned on the light.

My heart starts beating faster as I slowly and quietly turn around.

"Get away from my son," my voice is surprisingly calm and stable as I look at Gwen. The bassinet is between us and her hands are stretched out as if she is about to pick him up.

"I'm only admiring the new alpha," she smirks and pulls her hands back.

"What are you doing here?" I sit upright and pull the bassinet closer to me.

"I told you," she shrugs. "Admiring your son."

"Are you even allowed to leave your room?" I ask suspiciously. "Aren't you supposed to be on suicide watch?"

"I gave them the slip," she giggles and the sound gives me goosebumps. Gwen has completely lost her mind.

"I would like you to leave now," I say sternly.

"We used to be friends," she pouts as she looks at Connor. "Now I'm not even allowed to see your baby. It's not fair."

Axel, you better get here, I mind-link him.

I'm on my way, he replies.

"Why don't you come back in the morning?" I ask sweetly. "It's late and we both need sleep."

"No," her eyes blaze into mine. "I want to look at the baby before they take him away."

"Who's going to take him, Gwen?" I ask softly as an ominous feeling settles in my gut.

"His grandparents, of course," she shrugs. "That's what they do, you know? They took Peter. They said it's better for him. They want to take my baby as well, but I put a stop to that. My baby's dead. They can't take her anymore."

"I will talk to them," I stand up slowly. "I will tell them to give Peter back to you."

"They won't listen," her laughter is that of a madman. "They always get what they want."

"I will help you," she looks at me with bright, shiny eyes. "I will take your baby and then they can't replace him."

"Gwen ..."

"No," she shakes her head. "I must help you. You were my friend, I must help."

She reaches for Connor and I jump up and place myself between her and him.

"Get away," she shoves me aside.

I land hard on the floor and quickly turn around. In horror I watch her reaching for Connor and I completely lose it. Without thinking, I jump up and leap towards her. A deafening growl fills the room, followed by Gwen's ear-piercing scream. Pain surges through my body but I do not pay attention to it. I must keep Gwen away from my son. I jump onto her and she falls. Connor starts crying at the top of his lungs but I cannot attend to him now. I must protect him.

In utter disbelief, I look at the paw that is pressing on Gwen's chest and I realize I have just shifted. For a split second, I want to panic, but I suppress it as I bare my teeth at a terrified Gwen. "Kill me," she starts crying. "Kill me and get it over with. I have nothing to live for. Put me out of my misery."

"What's going... oh, dear goddess," a nurse mumbles before she runs off.

"Kill me, please," Gwen begs softly.

Alarms start blaring as Code Green is announced. People are swarming to my room but I do not move. Not only am I protecting Connor against Gwen, I am protecting her against herself. "Liana," Axel says flabbergasted.

Connor, get Connor, I mind-link him.

"Are you okay?" He asks softly as he comforts our son.

She needs help, I mind-link him.

"Sedate her," Axel commands a stupefied nurse and she scurries away.

"And silence that alarm," he says angrily.

The nurse comes back with a needle and looks doubtfully at me before she carefully kneels next to me. Gwen starts squirming and I pin her down harder. I keep the pressure until the nurse has injected her. Patiently I wait until Gwen is unconscious before I sit back and look at the people. Everyone is staring at me with wide eyes. Carefully I turn to Axel and he smiles.

You're beautiful, he mind-links.

"I came as quickly as I could," Michelle says hastily as she bursts into the room. She comes to an abrupt halt when she sees me.

"Dear goddess, now I have seen everything," she mumbles as she kneels by my side. "Are you okay?"

How should I know? I've never been a wolf before, I mind-link.

"You're fine," she chuckles and turns to a nurse. "Remove sleeping beauty over there and don't leave her alone. And make no mistake, heads will roll. This patient is supposed to be under surveillance."

Two nurses step forward and pick up Gwen before placing her on a gurney to take her away.

"Alpha," Michelle turns to Axel. "I'll take Connor while you help her shift back."

I growl softly as Michelle takes our baby.

"Relax, Mom," she smiles at me. "We'll be right outside."

"Liana," Axel kneels next to me as my eyes follow Michelle leaving the room. "Look at me."

Reluctantly, I obey but I hate not being able to see Connor.

"Your wolf is magnificent," he whispers as he strokes my fur. "It's the same gold as your hair. I cannot wait to see you in daylight."

Now what? I mind-link.

"Now I'll help you shift back so that you can hold Connor," he replies gently.