Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 14

Liana

I stretch out lazily like a cat when I wake up. The last time I slept this well, was when I was engaged to Wyatt. And that was all thanks to his wolf, so I do not know if it counts.

I throw the covers off me and am about to get up when my eye catches the contract that is laying on the bedside table. With a heavy sigh, I pick it up and read it for the hundredth time.

I battled an internal fight the entire night until I fell asleep from exhaustion. Arguing the pros and cons is like riding a roller coaster. In the end, I could not truthfully answer if I could live with myself if I sign it.

It is deceitfully easy to convince myself the good outweighs the bad. But will I be able to look at myself in the mirror for the rest of my days when the six months are over?

I get up, take a shower and get dressed. I fix myself a quick breakfast of muesli and yoghurt before I clean up.

I grab my purse and the contract and go sit outside on the basket swing chair. With my eyes closed, I swing myself and listen to the sounds of nature. More than half an hour is left before Drew picks me up to take me to Axel.

I wish I had my art supplies with me. Drawing always helps to clear my mind and I could use that to make the right decision. But everything I own is still at Wyatt's house. I know I should fetch it before he throws it out, but up to now, I did not have the guts to do it. I look up in surprise when I hear a car approach and sit straight when I recognise Drew.

"You're early," I smile when he walks up to me.

"I know," he shrugs. "But I have nothing else to do. So, I figured we can pass the time together."

"Are you free this afternoon?" I look at him hopefully.

"Yeah, do you need a lift?" He looks at me curiously.

"I need to pick up some of my personal belongings at ... uhm, a friend's house," I say as I stand up. "But I don't want to go alone."

"Sure," he shrugs and together we walk to the car.

He opens the back door for me, but I shake my head.

"Can't I sit in front?" I ask pleadingly. "It's lonely in the back."

"Suit yourself," he laughs as he opens the door for me, and I get in.

I strap myself in as he gets behind the wheel. We do not speak a word as he steers through traffic. My mind is running in circles about whether or not I should sign, and the closer we get the more tense I become. "Ah, hell," Drew grunts next to me as we approach Silver Enterprises, and I look at him curiously.

"See that blond crossing the street," he points to a gorgeous woman, and I nod. "That's Angela. I cannot stand her."

"Ex-girlfriend?" I tease.

"Not in this life," he snorts indignantly. "She's spoiled and entitled. Not to mention a fucking nuisance. But you'll learn that soon enough."

"Why would I get to know her?" I frown confused.

"Because she's in love with Axel," he sighs. "And whenever she's in town, she buries her fangs into him and bites like a tick. As his assistant, the two of you are bound to cross paths."

"So, she doesn't live here?" I look at him. "You said whenever she's in town."

"She's the alpha's daughter from a neighbouring pack," Drew explains as he enters the under-roof parking. "And she only comes here to see Axel. She has it in her head that they belong together since she was sixteen." "And Axel isn't interested?" I raise my eyebrows. I replace it hard to believe that any man with blood in his veins can resist a beauty like Angela. "Like at all?"

"The last time he looked her way, was when he was still in school," Drew replies as he parks.

"Got it," I nod. "Now it makes sense."

"What do you mean?" Drew frowns.

"Let me guess," I turn in my seat to face him. "Angela was sixteen and a virgin when they dated."

"Yeah, so?" he shrugs.

"So, obviously Axel was her first," I grin. "And I am pretty certain also her last. She fell in love with him as a young girl and thought it was true love when they slept together. She wants to be his Luna." "But she's clinically insane," Drew protests.

"Is that your opinion or has she been diagnosed?" I laugh as we get out of the car and walk to the elevators.

"You don't understand," he gives me a painful look. "I saw her in action. Axel was still in school when I was appointed as his driver. I witnessed that relationship bloom and burn. Angela is deceitful and dangerous." "And as an Omega, you must keep your mouth shut," I look at him sympathetically.

"Thank you," he throws his hands in the air. "Somebody gets it."

"Drew, I'm lower as an Omega," I roll my eyes. "Believe me, I do understand."

"About that," he looks at me curiously as the elevator door closes. "Will you tell me how you ended up here? I mean, it's rather unusual for a human to work for the Alpha."

"I'll tell you everything this afternoon," I say as the elevators open, and we step into the lobby. "But first I must see Axel."

"I'll wait at the car," Drew grunts and steps back into the elevator. "Angela is at reception, and I don't want to see her."

I shake my head laughing as I walk to reception. Whether I sign this or not, I know I made a new friend. Someone honest that I can trust.

"Come on, Shelly," Angela pouts. "Don't announce me, please? I want to surprise him."

"I'm really sorry," Shelly, the woman at reception, replies. "It's against policy and I can lose my job."

"Fine," Angela sneers and all friendliness evaporates from her voice. "But I'll remember this. I promise you that."

Hearing the threat, I raise my eyebrows, ignore Angela, and stand in front of the desk. Shelly recognises me and hands me a visitor's card without me asking for it. "Why do you let her through and not me?" Angela shrieks as I take the card and walk to the elevator.

"She has an appointment," Shelly patiently explains.

"Just give me a damn pass, Shelly," Angela grunts.

Behind me, I can hear the click-clack of Angela's heels as she marches to the elevator. Drew was right; she is not pleasant, and I have not even met her.

"Move," Angela orders me as I wait for the elevator. "You're at the wrong elevator. This one is for private use only."

"That's not what my pass says," triumphantly I hold up my card for her to see.

"Well, I'm not sharing it with you," she looks down at me over her nose as the doors open. "You can go after me."

"No, I can't," I step into the elevator and Angela gasps loudly. "I have an appointment and I refuse to be late. Either you join me, or you wait."

She gapes at me for a moment, and I smile sweetly at her as the door closes in her face. What a conceited bitch! She reminds me of every rich, mean girl that treated me like crap during high school just because they have money. Well, I had enough, I decide as I take out the contract.

I get a pen, press the contract against the wall and write clearly underneath the section that I shall not engage in s****l encounters with other men for the next six months.

Satisfied with my decision, I step out of the elevator and walk to Axel's secretary.

"Juliana," I read her name tag and smile extra friendly at her. "Just a friendly heads-up that Angela is on her way."

"Are you serious?" Juliana groans in pain. "Why hasn't Shelly called ahead?"

"Because Angela is a bitch and threatened her," I reply.

"It's official," Juliana sighs. "My day is ruined. You can go through, he's expecting you."

"Thanks," I smile. "And please note that I will lock the door so that he and I can conclude business and as a bonus, piss off Angela."

"She's going to hate that," Juliana giggles. "Good luck."

"Thanks," I laugh as I walk past her to Axel's office.

I knock quickly and wait for his reply before I enter.

Axel

The second Liana steps into the office my heart starts beating dangerously fast. Since I left her cottage last night, I have been counting the seconds until I could see her again. I do not have words to describe how much I enjoyed last night. I was at peace and relaxed. It was like replaceing sanctuary after running for years. I never understood why people were so taken with the mate bond, but now I do. It is indescribable.

I was about to say something but when I saw the look on her face, I bite my tongue and watch her march to my desk and plant the contract in front of me.

"I added a clause," she announces with fire in her eyes. "Either accept it or the deal is off."

"Good morning to you as well," I say sarcastically as I pick up the contract.

"That's still debatable," she snorts as she takes a seat.

"Bad night?" I ask.

"Bad just now," she grunts.

I grind my teeth to keep myself from smiling as I read her clause.

"So, I'm not allowed to engage in s****l encounters with other females?" I ask and look up at her.

"That's right," she nods. "What's good for the goose, is good for the gander."

"Hmm," I mumble, wiping my fingers over my mouth to conceal my smile. This is downright adorable to me. Sleeping with another woman has not even crossed my mind since I realized she is my mate, but I cannot tell her that. To her, I must remain the sex-craved beast she takes me for. When she learns I am nothing more than a lovesick mate, I will be putty in her hands.

"How firm are you on this?" I cannot help but tease her, and she nearly levitates angrily in her chair.

"Either you sign that right in front of me or you can tear the contract up and we're done," she hisses furiously.

"I see," I pretend to think, but my enjoyment is short-lived when there is a banging on my door.

"Axel, it's me," Angela's voice comes from the other side, and my wolf starts growling instantly. "Axel, why's the door locked?"

"I knew she was coming, so I locked it," Liana says, and I look at her in surprise. When and how did the two of them meet? For fuck's sake, I did not even know Angela was in town.

"I'm busy, Angela," I shout. I know it is unprofessional, but I am too angry to care. She just spoiled a very entertaining moment with Liana. "Wait your turn."

Irritated with the situation, I sign Liana's clause and push the contract over to her. She smiles victoriously at me as she picks up the pen and signs.

"Fuck it," I grunt as Angela starts banging on the door again and I get up to unlock it. But when I pass Liana, I change my mind and turn to her.

"You're mine now," I smile, resting my palm against her cheek, and I lean in for a kiss.

She does not resist me, and I revel in the sparks that ignite when our lips touch. I put my arms around her to pull her closer and intensify the kiss. But Angela's persistent hammering ruined the moment completely and I reluctantly let go of Liana. "I'll see you tonight," I whisper as I kiss her once more.

"Do you want dinner?" She surprises me.

"No," I shake my head. "We will not be eating."

She blushes slightly and picks up her handbag as I march to the door and unlocks it.

"Darling," Angela's cheeks are two red coals from anger. "Why's your door locked?"

She glares at Liana suspiciously and I must master all my self-control not to throw Angela out of the window. I am not her darling.

"Because I'm working and you're a disturbance," I say brusquely but she does not even register my words. She is too focused on Liana, and I do not like it one bit.

"Bye, Axel," Liana says, and Angela's eyes widen.

"You cannot talk to him like that," Angela snaps. "He is not your equal."

"Your Highness," Liana gives me a wicked smile as she bows at me, and I burst out laughing.

"This is unacceptable and inappropriate," Angela loses it.

"Angela, shut up," I snap at her, and she looks at me with hurt in her eyes.

"But she's a human," Angela's bottom lip starts quivering.

"And my employee," I say firmly. "And even if she was a half-raccoon, this is none of your business."

"And that's my cue," Liana looks at me with dancing devils in her eyes. "I want to go dumpster diving."

"Liana, wait," quickly I walk to my desk. "We were so rudely interrupted that I nearly forgot to give you this."

I take out an envelope and hold it out to her. She quickly looks at me before accepting it and places it in her handbag.

"Shall we meet for lunch?" I ask.

"Sorry, I can't," she smiles at me. "I already have plans."

"With whom?" I ask as jealousy manifests.

"Just a friend," she shrugs and walks out.

I take a deep breath to calm myself. Tonight, I will make sure she understands our contract. It clearly stipulates that she should be available to me at any time. The ink on the paper is not even dry and already she dismisses me. I want to know who she is meeting, and I want to know now.