Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 103

Axel POV

"You're not even up," Liana rolls her eyes as she puts on her earrings. "We're going to be late for the funeral, Axel. Get up and get into that shower."

"But look at him," I pout as I look at Connor sleeping next to me in the bed. Liana wanted to take him back to his crib after she fed him, but I highjacked him for a cuddle. "How can we leave him?"

"It's only for a couple of hours," she sighs as she takes a seat in front of her dresser. "Believe me, I hate it just as much, but we can't take him with us. There's going to be crying and sadness. He'll be safer and more comfortable here." "I'll be more comfortable here," I grunt as I reluctantly get out of bed and walk to the shower.

She only smiles at me as she touches up her lipstick. I know she agrees with me. Both of us would much rather stay, but we are doing this not only because it is our duty as Alpha and Luna, but we are also supporting Mother.

"Are you sure Nina and your dad will be fine watching Connor?" I ask as I get out of the shower.

"You also hired a paediatric nurse for the day," she says patiently. "They'll be more than fine."

"Can you think of any other excuse to get out of this?" I give her a pained look.

"You're a big, strong Alpha," she smiles as she walks to me and cups my face. "You don't back out from a challenge."

"Keep it up," my arms go around her waist, and I kiss her mark. "Then we'll really be late."

"Thanks for the warning," she laughs as she wiggles out of my arms and picks up Connor. "I'm going to freshen up this little man for his grandfather while you finish dressing."

"Yes, dear," I sigh theatrically and reach for my shirt.

Liana POV

I cling to Axel's arm as we walk through the private cemetery towards the tents that have been set up for the occasion. It felt like all eyes were on us but once we sat down and I looked around I knew it was my imagination. Nobody cares that we are here. I do replace it a little odd. Angela might have attacked Axel, but it was his hands that placed her in a coma. Knowing Jack and Mary, they would have twisted the truth to suit them. How is it that nobody even blinks that Angela's 'killer' is at her funeral?

I pretend to look around absentmindedly, but I survey everything and everyone. The security present is overwhelming. This is understandable, there are numerous Alphas present. David, Adele and Mike are also among them.

I lock eyes with a beast of a man, and he stares at me with cold black eyes before he turns away. I shudder involuntarily. It might be my imagination, but it was creepy as fuck.

"What's wrong?" Axel whispers in my ear.

"Nothing," I reply softly. "Just eery vibes."

"Well, we are sending Satan's sister back to the underground, it's to be expected," he replies dryly.

"Axel," I pump him in the ribs. "You're going to make me laugh and it's inappropriate."

Bagpipes start playing loudly and I slightly jump in my seat from the sudden noise.

"Are they Scottish?" I ask as we stand up along with the other guests.

"No, they're pretentious," he whispers. "It's a different country."

I bite my tongue and lower my gaze as six men carry the coffin towards us, followed by Jack and Mary. The humour that Axel stirred inside me dies a quick death when I look at Jack. I remember how devastated Dad was when Leon died but that was nothing in comparison to Jack.

I have only seen him once when he visited Axel's office, but that man no longer exists. Jack is a skeleton. His eyes are sunken deep into his face, and he looks rundown. Instantly, my heart goes out to him. There is no grief bigger than the loss of a child. Mary is pale, but she holds her head high. As grief-stricken as Jack is, so angry is she. It radiates from her blazing eyes to the tension in her shoulders and hands.

These people need counselling, I sigh inwardly. Neither of them can deal with the loss of their daughter and both are on a path of self-destruction.

We take our seats once the coffin is placed in front. A man in a deep, dark purple robe steps forward and starts talking. But I cannot bring myself to listen. My eyes are fixated on Jack and Mary.

They are not innocent in all of this. They gave Angela everything she wanted but not what she needed. Lack of discipline and guidance created a monster with no regard for authority and other people's feelings. And it will never be proven, but I suspect Angela had a mental disability and she needed medication. Even with all of that, I cannot help but pity them. They are feeling the loss of their child.

The ceremony finishes and people around me are crying and sniffing as we stand up and follow the family and coffin to the burial spot.

Jack wails like a wounded animal as the coffin descends and falls into the dirt. Mary does not even look at him. She simply stares dry-eyed at the coffin, but she is biting so hard on her bottom lip that I can smell blood.

The moment we are allowed to, we turn around and walk to the house for the wake.

"I tried," Axel says next to me. "I really tried but I have no sympathy for them."

"That's okay," I take his hand. "I don't think they're interested in your sympathy. Just as they're not interested in my pity."

"I'm surprised they didn't kick us out," he frowns. "If I were them, I wouldn't have even told us about the funeral."

"I think it's more about your parents than us," I reason. "Your mother and Mary are holding on to what they used to have. I thought that it would be over after our wedding, but I guess I was wrong." "Well, we were here and thank goddess it's over," he sighs relieved. "We will pay our respects and get out of here as soon as it's appropriate."

Axel introduces me to neighbouring Alphas and their Lunas. I can feel Mary's eyes on us as we socialize with them, and this time it is not my imagination. Every time I look her way, she glares at us. "Mary is creeping me out," I whisper to Axel when I cannot take it any longer. "When can we leave?"

"Right now," he smiles at me. "Let's get my parents and say goodbye."

I inhale deeply as I follow him towards his parents who are talking to Mary.

"Mary," I say politely as I intertwine my fingers. "Our deepest condolences and thank you for having us. Unfortunately, we have to go."

"So soon?" Her voice is emotionless as she looks from me to Mary. "I was hoping we could talk some more once we are alone."

"We can stay," Grant says quickly as his arm goes around his wife's shoulders. "But I think Axel and Liana are eager to get back to Connor." "Right," Mary smiles stiffly. "I was hoping to meet the little guy today."

"We did not feel it would be appropriate to bring a three-week-old baby to a funeral," Axel replies coldly.

"Then I won't keep you," she replies. "Thank you for coming. I mean, it's the least you could do after you killed her."

Axel stiffens next to me, and I grab his hand.

"He didn't kill her," Grant hisses. "She had a death wish when she attacked our son."

"Oh please," Mary sneers. "Keep telling...

"The pleasure was ours," my words are icy as I interrupt her. Mary's cheeks turn red and her eyes blaze at me. "Good luck for the future."

"We should go as well," Grant growls. "I don't think you and my wife have anything to talk about anymore."

I turn around and drag a fuming Axel with me.

"I know you want to rip her head off," I say softly as we walk to the car. "So, do I, but we will not give her that satisfaction, okay? She deliberately said that to provoke you. If you lashed out at her right now, she would've had witnesses." "You're right," Axel grunts. "But I would've felt so much better."

"You know what else would make you feel better?" I smile at him. "To go home and hold your baby."

"And smell his head," Axel grins sheepishly.

"Let's go," I laugh as I take his hand and continue towards the car.

"Is Drew sleeping?" I frown as we get closer.

"That would be a first," Axel chuckles.

"Hey, Drew," Axel taps against the window, but he does not move. "Wake up, old man."

"Axel," I mumble as I feel the blood drain from my face. "He's not sleeping."

"Look," I point to the blood on his collar, and frantically I start looking around. "Where are your parents?"