Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 62

Axel POV

"Remember what we talked about," I look at Liana when we park in front of the pharmacy. "Keep your head down and all of you will enter and exit at the same time." "Do you really think we're being followed?" She asks with eyes full of concern.

"Not at the moment, no, but we're not taking any changes," I explain gently. "All of these are precautions."

"Okay," she nods as she takes her purse and watches as the other cars park next to us. "Why are there six cars? There were only three when we left."

"It's Nina and her replicas," I chuckle. "They're waiting for us. We're leaving the border at the same time."

"And nobody replaces it suspicious?" She turns to me. "I mean, a convoy of SUVS isn't an everyday occurrence."

"Except for Alphas," I smile patiently. "We often travel like this."

I mind-link the other Lianas and lean over Liana to open her door once they confirm they are ready. She quickly gets out and I watch her walk into the pharmacy.

That should have been me, I groan inwardly. It does not feel right to let her out of my sight. The she-wolves are highly trained and are more than capable of keeping her safe, but I want to be with my mate. The twenty minutes it takes her to get the prescription feels like an eternity and I only relax when she gets into the car again.

"Done," she smiles at me as she puts her parcel in her backpack.

On my command, all vehicles head for the highway.

"Are all of those pills?" I frown when I look at the size of the bag.

"No," she chuckles softly as she holds up a bottle. "I don't know how long the drive is, so I bought snacks. Gatorade and ginger cookies."

"Are you hungry?" I ask quickly and I want to kick myself for not thinking about food sooner. I was there when she emptied her stomach, and she must be starving. "We have a basket filled with drinks and ..." "No," she interrupts me. "I'm not hungry, but Michelle threatened me with the hospital if I don't eat."

"But that's not food," I argue flabbergasted.

"It's electrolytes and carbs, Axel," she rolls her eyes as she opens the cookies. "My stomach won't be able to tolerate much else."

She reaches between the seats and offers the driver a cookie which he accepts before she sits back and turns to face me.

"Cookie?" She smiles brightly at me.

"Thanks," I take one. "But you didn't have to buy stuff, I brought everything. Including Gatorade."

"But did you bring ginger cookies?" She wiggles her eyebrows.

"No," I laugh defeated. "Next time I'll know better."

The last of the sun's rays disappear on the horizon when we get onto the highway and soon, we are surrounded by darkness and passing headlights.

"So," she sits back and makes herself comfortable. "How long before we get to wherever?"

"We should be there around eight," I reply.

"Are we all going to the same place?" She looks curiously at me as she opens her drink.

"You and Nina, yes," I nod. "The other vehicles will separate from us when we exit the highway."

"Okay," she tries to hide a yawn, but I can clearly hear it in her voice. "I hope Nina's not too disappointed. I mean, she was hoping for some alone time with ... you know."

"There will be other opportunities," I chuckle as I watch her putting away the cookies and Gatorade.

"Are you okay?" I ask as she takes deep breaths.

"I think I was too eager with the cookies," she tries to smile but instead swallows hard.

"Should we pull over?" I ask concerned.

"No," she shakes her head. "It'll pass."

"Come here," I pull her onto my lap and turn her towards the window. "Do you see that sign over there?"

I point to the big, bright neon advertisement for a motel, and she nods.

"Keep your eyes on that," I wrap my arms around her and pull her head against my shoulder. "Don't look at the passing cars or lights. Fixate on the sign in the distance." A comfortable silence fills the car as she relaxes in my arms.

"Thanks," she whispers after a moment. "It worked."

I smile down at her as I cup her cheek and kiss her slowly and silently. It is not a kiss with desire and passion. It is a tender, heartfelt kiss. A kiss filled with love and serenity.

At least, it is for me, I sigh inwardly when I let her go and she nestles closer to my chest. I lean back against the seat and close my eyes as I listen to her steady breathing.

Liana is so outspoken about her emotions but still, I have no idea how she feels. She has the ability to tell me in very colourful words why she is mad at me and what makes her happy but when it comes to matters of her heart, she does not give me so much as a glimpse. And it is frustrating as f**k.

**

Liana POV

"Wake up," Axel murmurs in my ear and I slowly open my eyes. "We're here."

"Where's here?" I groan as I sit up and curiously look at the moonlight shining brightly on a lake.

"My parents' lake house," he replies as the driver opens the door and I climb out with stiff limbs.

I turn and look at the huge wooden cabin. It has a beautiful porch facing the lake and I can only imagine how peaceful and scenic it must be to sit there and watch a sunrise.

"This is a gorgeous place," I say when Axel comes to stand next to me. "Do you come here often?"

"My mother comes here when she needs space when my dad upsets her," Axel chuckles. "So, yes, she does."

"I bet she picks fights with him just to come here," I laugh heartedly as two cars park next to ours. "That's what I would've done."

"I wouldn't put that past her," Axel laughs as Nina and the guards get out of the car and walk towards us.

"David," Axel's playful mood shifts to business. "Please escort the ladies inside and show them their rooms."

David nods and places his hand on Nina's lower back. I grab my backpack from the car before I follow them into the house. Michelle's medication has worked but I do not feel so well right now.

And I know why. Seeing all the guards and listening to Axel's serious voice has my guts in turmoil again. I know he is downplaying the seriousness of the situation. All these arrangements have been made in haste.

The cabin is spacious and luxurious, and I follow David in awe to my room. These people simply have a different way of life. People like me must work and save for years to hopefully spend a week at such an establishment. This is merely a second home to them. I place my backpack on the bed, close the door behind David and go stand in front of the window to admire the lake. Carefully I rest my hand on my abdomen and my forehead against the cold glass.

I know that the blood test will confirm that I am pregnant. Denying it will not change the fact and I honestly do not know how I feel about it.

What if he wants the baby and not me? I know myself; I will never give up my child - regardless of who the father is. I do love Axel, but I do not know if it would be wise to spend the rest of my life with him and raise a child together. I do not belong in his world. What does an ordinary girl like me know about wealth? Not to mention the dark cloud of shame my family will bring. How can we possibly see eye to eye when raising a child together?

"How are you feeling?" Axel asks as he enters the room and I turn around to face him.

"I'm fine," I smile. "This place is magnificent."

"You seem pale," he frowns as he walks to me. "Are you sure..."

"I don't feel sick, Axel," I cut him off. "Stop worrying."

"I ordered you chicken soup," he continues as if I have not said a word. "They'll bring it to your room once it's ready."

"Honestly, that's not necessary," I roll my eyes. "I am more than capable of replaceing the kitchen and feeding myself when I'm hungry."

"Well, it's done," he shrugs. "You might as well accept it."

My cell phone rings in my bag, and I walk to the bed to get it. I frown when I look at the unfamiliar number as I answer it.

"Hello, Liana," Wilson greets me in a creepy voice and ominous tendrils curl around my heart. Without saying a word, I look at Axel and turn the speakerphone on.

"I trust you have the money," he continues when I do not reply.

"I told you I'm not playing this game," I say and wish I did not sound as scared as I am. Axel takes my hand as his face turns to cold hard granite.

"And I told you what would happen if you don't," he snarls. "Are you really going to risk Nina's neck for your principals?"

It is on the tip of my tongue to send him to hell, but Axel shakes his head and quickly whispers into my ear.

"Fine, you win," I sigh into the phone after I listened to Axel's instruction. "I'll go to the bank tomorrow and try ..."

"Not try, Liana," he cuts me off sharply. "You had three weeks to try, now you must do."

"I'll do my best," I bite off the words.

"Good girl," he snarls. "You shouldn't be so stubborn, it's very unbecoming and you're wasting time. Meet me in the park tomorrow at noon. And Liana, if I so much as sniff the Alpha or his men, Nina will pay. That's a promise."