Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 90

Liana POV

"That was the most pleasant hospital stay ever," I grin as Axel parks in front of the mansion, but he does not laugh at my silly joke.

"Liana," his voice is thick with concern as he looks at me. "Are you sure about this? We can simply go inside, get our stuff and go. We don't have to talk to Mother."

"I'm doing this," I lean over and kiss him. "Your mother is not coming between me and decorating the nursery. But seriously, somebody must talk sense into her before it's too late."

"You know I choose you over her?" Axel looks at me intensely.

"I do," I place my palm against his cheek. "But you shouldn't have to."

Quickly I get out of the car before he can continue to debate this. I know what I am doing, and why I am doing it. Yes, she grossly overstepped, and this is between her and me, but this also is not about us. This is about Axel and his dad. They will have to live with the consequences, and I will not be responsible for their sorrow. It does not matter how much he loves me, there will be a day when he will miss his mother.

"One more thing," I take Axel's hand as we walk to the front door. "I must warn you that I'm going to talk to your mother very directly. She's not going to like it." "I'll stay out of it and let you do your thing," he squeezes my hand.

**

Thanks to Michelle's pills, I am calm and relaxed when we replace Axel's mother reading in the office. She gives us a bored look before she puts the book down. "Are you here to apologize or say goodbye?" She asks stiffly.

"Neither," I reply politely and take a seat opposite her. "We're going to talk."

"How nice," she sneers. "And I see you brought my son along as what? Backup? Or are you going to team up against me?"

"I'm security," Axel grins and walks to the cabinet to pour himself a drink. "I'll be the one saving your ass when she wants to rip you apart."

"Lucky me," she rolls her eyes. "But let me save you both the trouble and tell you I'm not interested in what you have to say. Other than an apology."

"Okay," I smile sweetly. "I'm sorry you're such a narrowminded and self-righteous bitch."

"There you go again," she gasps. "Insulting me. Do you have no respect?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake," I grunt irritated. "Cut the crap, Mrs Silvermann and drop the drama."

"I'm not dramatic," she protests. "I simply don't care for your banality."

"Stop it," my words are harsh and loud. I am so over her attitude. "Just stop it. Stop with the indignant gasps and the theatrical gripping of your heart. It's pretentious and false and nobody's buying it. You can't claim higher ground after you told me to abandon my mate and baby."

Axel growls low and deep. Startled I look at him. With excess force, he puts the glass down and crosses his arms in front of his chest.

"Sorry," he grunts with his eyes fixated on his mother. "But I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive her for that."

"Is that why you're here?" She narrows her eyes. "To tell me what a terrible person I am?"

"No," I say sharply, and she looks at me. "You can figure that part out on your own time. I'm here to tell you that I'm not going anywhere, nor will we be leaving the mansion."

"Now I get it," she smirks. "You're desperate for our wealth and the cottage isn't good enough for you anymore."

"I don't own anything and yet I have the world," I smile as I look at Axel. "I have a truly great man's love and soon we're going to welcome our perfect boy."

"And I'm being accused of theatrics," she snorts.

"Here's the thing, Mrs Silvermann ..."

"Luna," she interrupts me sharply.

"Mrs Silvermann," I insist and lean forward in my chair. She is behaving like a spoiled child and not a Luna. "I have survived my mother and you're a minor in comparison. You don't scare or intimidate me. I simply don't care enough for you that it matters what you think of me. There's nothing you can do to make me leave. You're of the opinion that I'm after Axel for status and money and you're sadly mistaken. Axel knew I was his mate long before I did. I fought it, but he waited patiently for me to be ready to accept him. I didn't know what unconditional love was until I met him. He's the one that taught me I'm worthy of love. His love. Now that I found him, I'm never letting him go. He is my life and I'm committed to him."

She looks at me with a stoic face as I stand up.

"Now you know how I feel about your son," I look her dead in the eyes. "And that should be enough for any mother. You don't like me and it's fine. I don't care. Honestly, you haven't given me much of a reason to like you either. However, we do have one thing in common, we love Axel. And you and I will do the grownup thing and tolerate each other for his sake. And for Grant's and this innocent little baby."

"Such a heartwarming speech," she sneers. "If ..."

"I'm not done," I cut her off brusquely. "You and I will stay out of each other's way. But when our paths do cross, we will be civil and even friendly towards each other. Because we have the same goal - to keep this family together and happy. You have no say in this, but you do have a choice. Fight it and end up alone and bitter or embrace it and be part of our lives. If you can't do that, then you're not the loving mother and strong Luna you claim to be. Don't let a human outshine you, do better. Be better."

I do not wait for her reply as I turn around and walk away.

"What she said," Axel grunts as he follows me.

Axel POV

"Are you okay?" I whisper as Liana and I walk up the stairs to our room. She seems calm enough, but I am not. It will take me a while to forgive Mother for what she has done.

"Yes, I am," she smiles brightly at me as she puts her arms around my waist. "I'm annoyed but not angry."

"Maybe I should take some of those pills," I grunt, and she laughs softly.

My heart swells with pride as I watch her walk into our room. Last night when she said she wanted to talk to Mother, I thought she was going to apologize. That she was going to make herself small again to fit in. And I am thrilled that I was wrong. Not only did she make it abundantly clear that she cannot be manipulated, but she also challenged Mother. She has no choice but to go along with Liana or she will be the lesser Luna, and she will hate that. "You did well," I take her by the wrist and pull her into my embrace. "I'm proud of you."

"I can't take all the credit," she drapes her arms around my neck. "Your love and support gave me the courage to do it."

It is silent in the room as I kiss her long and tenderly.

"I need a favour," I sigh reluctantly as she pulls away. The very last thing I want to do now is talk business after her victory.

"I'm dying to say anything," Liana looks at me suspiciously. "But with that look on your face, I'm afraid to say yes."

"It's not that big of a deal," I say as I sit down in a chair.

"I'm listening," she walks to the mini fridge and takes out a juice.

"I know you asked to go shopping tomorrow, but I can't," I say.

"That's it?" She frowns as she takes a seat opposite me. "That's not the end of the world or a favour."

"Dad and I are going to see Jack," I watch her hands still for a moment before she continues drinking. "And I want you to spend the day with Nina until I get back."

"Are you going to talk to him about that stunt he pulled with Austin?" She asks cautiously.

"Yes," I nod. "But Jack doesn't know I'm coming. I doubt that he would see me. According to him, it's a social visit from my dad. That's also the reason why we're doing it during the weekend."

"Makes sense," she says thoughtfully and puts the juice down. "Do you think you'll see Angela?"

"Probable," I shrug. "But you shouldn't worry about her."

"I'm not," she snorts. "Your day is only going to be so much more messed up if she's around."

"You're right," I exhale deeply. "But I have no choice. Jack must know that I won't tolerate his behaviour."

"So, why am I going to Nina's?" She looks at me curiously. "Not that I mind, we have a dress fitting anyway, but what's your reason?"

"I don't want to leave you alone with Mother," I blurt out the truth.

"Axel," she looks lovingly at me. "I'll be fine. And Adele will be glued to my side. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know," I say hastily as I stand up and kneel in front of her. "You've proven that. I'm asking for myself, Liana. Tomorrow isn't going to be pleasant, and I don't want to wonder if you're okay. Even if you can fend for yourself, I feel the need to be here and support you." "Okay," she cups my face and kisses me softly. "I'll gladly do it for you."

"Thank you," I stand up and pull her into my arms. "That will put my mind at ease."

"Just come back safely," she looks at me with her big, beautiful eyes.

"Always," I smile before kissing her.