Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 75

Liana POV Adamantly I march to the coffee shop. I need to distance myself from the situation before I do or say something I regret later.

I meant it when I told Axel I believed him. He has proven himself to me over the months. But my blood is boiling, and my fingers are itching for Angela's throat. Taking it out on Axel would be unfair.

I pick out two slices of cheesecake - one for me and one for Wolfie. That is what I have decided to call our baby for now. One, because he is a wolf and two, it is because of him that I am hungry like a wolf. Constantly.

I close my eyes in ecstasy when the first sugary bite hits my tastebuds. Now, this is what I needed. At least I do not have to worry about my figure. Wolfie takes care of that. "Nice meeting you here."

I open my eyes in surprise and look up at a grinning Luther.

"May I join you?" He asks politely.

"You may sit, but you're not touching this," I point to the cheesecake, and he bursts out laughing.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he sits down. "What are you doing here?"

"You mean besides the obvious?" I raise my eyebrows. "I work across the street, remember? I'm either taking a late tea break or an early lunch. What are you doing here?"

"I saw you cross the street and decided to follow you," he admits sheepishly. "It feels like I haven't seen you in years."

"Oh, please," I take another bite. "You saw me last night at class."

"That's not the same or what I meant, and you know it," his voice is soft and smooth as he looks at me longingly. "If you weren't responding to my texts, I would've thought you were ignoring me."

"Not this again," I groan and shift uncomfortably in my chair. I wish I could tell him Axel is my mate, but I cannot risk it. Axel and I agreed to keep it to ourselves until he could talk to Angela. "We've been over this, Luther, you're wasting your time with me. I'm in love with another man."

"But does he deserve you?" Luther hisses urgently. "If he appreciated and understood you, he'd rush you down the aisle."

"He does love me," I push my cheesecake aside. Luther has spoiled it for me. "Things are a little complicated but we're working on it."

"That's the thing," Luther insists. "With me, it won't be complicated. I will propose to you here right now if you allow me."

"Even if I'm pregnant with another man's child?" I blurt out before I can stop myself.

"Are you?" He gapes at me before he pulls himself together. "Yes, Liana. Even then. Just say the word. I'll be happy to be the father."

"You're sweet," I smile and squeeze his hand. "But I'm not your mate, Luther. One day you'll meet her and then everything will change for you."

"Liana, I'm serious," he clamps my hand tightly. "Marry me, please? Baby and all."

"I'm not pregnant," I pull my hand free and stand up. "I said it to discourage you from pursuing me. I'm sorry, Luther, but we cannot be friends any longer. Not if you feel like this. It would be unfair to both of us. As long as we're friends, you're going to hope, and I will be in this awkward position to shoot you down every time."

"Liana, please give me a chance," he begs as he gets up.

"Goodbye, Luther," I say sadly and turn around.

"Liana," he grabs my wrist and swings me around.

But before I can say anything, his lips are on mine. Warm, soft and urgent. It is so unexpected that I cannot move but the numbness subsides quickly, and I shove him away with all my might.

"If you ever touch me again, I will kill you," I hiss as I swing around and head for the door.

"Liana, wait," Luther calls desperately.

Axel POV

I watch the door close behind Liana and I slump down in the closest chair. My mind is trying to make sense of everything that just occurred.

Coming home to Liana was the highlight of my day and then I did not even get the chance to say hello. Let alone hold her. Why is Angela here? And why the f**k would she discuss her so-called s*x life with my personnel?

I know I am at fault for not telling Liana about that night sooner. I deliberately avoided it because it is not something I want to remember. Honestly, there is never a good time to tell her about it. And it is not something you casually ease into a conversation. With everything Liana endured lately, I simply did not have the guts to tell her.

Liana has every right to break my neck for this and I am surprised she has not. I am not sure if this is the silence before the storm or if she genuinely believes me.

The past two weeks we talked endlessly. For hours I listened to her childhood, her fears, her pain. I understand her so much better. Her family depended on her and at the same time made her feel worthless. Wyatt's infidelity only contributed to that. The fact that she told me she loves me, is a miracle.

I did not touch Angela because I wanted to. For me it was self-defence. But I was afraid if I told Liana about it, all her feelings of being worthless would resurface. It is still not an excuse for my silence.

As furious as I am at Angela, I must blame myself. I could have been ahead of this if I manned up and told her about it.

I need to get out of here, I decide as I stand up. I will give Liana all the time she needs but I sure as hell do not want to be here when Angela returns.

Hastily I walk to the coffee shop to tell Liana that I will be hiding out at the gym. That would be the last place Angela will come looking for me.

A sharp pain radiates through my chest as I step into the coffee shop. Frowning I grab my chest and a take deep breath. Am I having a heart attack? What the hell? I look up and stammer backwards when I watch in horror how a man kisses Liana. This is no heart attack, I realize, this is the mate bond. Instantly I am furious but before I can react, Liana shoves the man aside and a deadly calmness settles in me as the pain subsides. I am going to kill that bastard.

Liana walks towards the exit and she stops dead in her tracks as her eyes widen when she sees me. Our eyes lock and we stare at each other.

"Liana, wait," the man calls, and I look at him.

Luther?

He notices me and frowns as he looks from me to Liana before he walks our way.

"That's L.C?" my voice is deceitfully calm. "Luther Collins?"

"Y... yes," she stutters. "Do you know him?"

"I came here to tell you I'll be at the gym until you're ready to leave," I say as I fight my anger and jealousy. I needed her to know that I was giving her the space she wanted and that I was not checking up on her. "Hello, Axel," Luther greets as he crosses his arms in front of his chest.

"You know each other?" Liana asks flabbergasted.

"Yes," I grunt as I put my balled fists into my pockets before I punch him out.

"Is this him?" Luther asks Liana but he does not take his eyes off me. "The man that doesn't want to marry you."

"Watch yourself," I warn Luther with a low growl.

"I never said that," Liana protests indignantly.

"You might as well have," Luther smirks. "Since he's already engaged to Angela."

I am on the verge of smacking that grin off Luther's face when Liana rests her hand on my chest and looks up at me.

"Let's go," she says softly.

I look at Luther for a moment before I put my arm around Liana's shoulders and together, we walk outside.

"Liana," Luther yells as he runs after us.

Furiously I swing around and glare at him.

"Don't push it, Luther," I hiss. "Walk away."

"Fuck you, Axel," he sneers. "I'm not going to idly stand by and watch you use her while you're engaged just because you're the alpha. Unlike you, I love her."

I completely lose my temper and my fist connects hard with his jaw. Luther stammers backwards but he regains control. He wipes the blood off the corner of his mouth as he looks at me.

"Nice," he smirks. "Why don't we take it somewhere safe? I don't want Liana to see how I rip your head off."

"You don't need to invite me twice," I glare at him.

"Enough," Liana hisses. "People are watching. This is not happening, not here or anywhere else."

"Not before you listen to what I have to say," Luther looks at her. "You're blinded by the almighty alpha, but ..."

"Stop it, Luther," Liana walks towards him. "You're not listening to me. I've told you no over and over. I love him." My heart swells with pride and joy when she announces her feelings so openly.

"You heard her," I go stand next to Liana and pull her against my side. "She made her choice. Accept it like a man."

"He's going to break your heart," Luther ignores me and looks at Liana with hurt in his eyes. "And when he does, I will be there for you. Don't forget that."

"I'm sorry," Liana whispers and Luther nods before he turns around and walks away.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly as I turn her to face me.

"No," she mumbles. "I feel terrible. He's a good guy, and I didn't want to hurt him."

"I know," I pull her into my embrace. "And he will understand once he learns you're my mate."

"How do you know Luther?" Liana looks curiously at me.

"He's my cousin," I sigh.