99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 100

The next morning, I slowly became aware of the sun’s glaring heat, realizing I had fallen asleep on the sofa.

Lucien.

I opened my eyes to find an empty living room.

If it weren’t for the dishevelled blanket on the sofa, I would have thought Lucien never came, that everything was just a dream.

Years ago, when my mother and I had just moved to Edmonton from Calgary, my mum was busy working, leaving me alone at home a lot.

It was a night even crazier than the previous one, a torrential downpour accompanied by thunder that enveloped the city in chaos.

I had curled up under the dining table, trembling, cold sweat soaking my back.

In fear, I called Lucien, crying, and told him that I was scared.

Sixteen-year-old Lucien rode his bike through the rain to my house without hesitation.

Soaking wet, he picked me up from under the table without a word, gently stroking back my hair with his pruny, rain-dampened fingers.

“Don’t worry, Claire-bear. I’m here.”

After the death of my father, it was always Lucien who had provided me with warmth when I was most terrified.

Thinking of this, I felt a tightness in my chest.

Could Lucien’s visit last night, under the pretense of applying ointment for a wound that probably didn’t need

my attention as much anymore, have been really because he was worried about my fear of the storm?

Could it be that the seemingly cold man actually cared about my feelings? Did he come here with the intention of sleeping over, to give me that safety again?

These thoughts lingered in my mind, both absurd and oddly comforting.

Just as I was lost in thought, the doorbell rang urgently.

Expecting it to be Lucien, I hurried to open the door faster than I would care to admit, only to find Liyah standing there.

Liyah waved a gilded invitation in her hand, beaming.

“Claire! It is my grandpa’s 70th birthday this Saturday! We’re throwing a big party. It won’t be in the pack territory, so you can come and join the fun!”

“Senior Beta Cruz is turning 70?” I was surprised but quickly replied, “Sure, I’ll definitely be there.”

Before I could finish, Liyah squeezed past me, kicked off her shoes, and flopped onto the sofa. With a huff, Liyah crossed her legs and began to vent her frustration.

“I’m so mad! My dad invited Liam’s family too! A few days ago, my mum was playing cards with Luna Stephanie. Then Luna Stephanie apparently hinted that she wanted to arrange a mating between Evan and Breanne!” She took a deep breath.

“The worst part is, my mum thought it sounded great! It would be a good pack alliance move, she said. I can’t believe it, even after the scandals!”

“Liyah, that absolutely can’t happen!” I said firmly. “We need to find a way to prevent Evan from mating with Breanne!”

“Agreed!” Liyah nodded vigorously, her expression resolute. “Don’t worry, Breanne will definitely be at the party, so we need to watch her every move. We can’t let them succeed!”

***LUNA STEPHANIE POV***

I was sitting in the living room when my friend entered and handed me a gilded invitation.

The old Beta of the Crown of Thornes pack is celebrating his 70th birthday.

This is a rare opportunity. We must go.

“Honey, do you remember Evan, the sixth son of the Beta family? I heard he’s doing well and is quite wealthy now.” My eyes lit up.

“Evan? The wolfless one who had epilepsy and stuttered? I heard he was a gaming prodigy and now runs a company?” My mate pondered.

“Exactly!” I said eagerly. “And he’s the right age for Breanne! If she can marry into the Beta family, even if it’s the youngest son, it would be a tremendous advantage for us!”

Henry nodded.

“That makes sense. We can look for an opportunity at the birthday party to gauge interest. If it works out, then she’ll become someone else’s problem while still paying back what is owed for the nuisance she’s caused us by granting an alliance. Lucien will have no choice but to align with the Sterling Moon pack if we can successfully pull off this mating.”

“Maybe Breanne mated into that pack will weaken them, and we can take over the territories while they clear the damages of hurrcaine Breanne within their own ranks.”

My mate and I exchanged a knowing smile.

Before I could say more, my phone rang.

“Hello,” I greeted her.

“Luna, come to my room now. I need to talk to you.” Breanne said coldly.

I would need to address the disrespect later; she was getting too full of herself lately.

“Breanne, what’s wrong?”

I entered with the biggest fake smile I could muster.

“I want to go to old Beta’s birthday party.” Breanne turned her back to the window, her voice icy.

I was taken aback, then smiled. “Of course, we’ll take you. I have a surprise there for you, actually.”

“I heard your conversation.” Breanne spun around, her gaze piercing. “You’re tired of me and want to use me as a pawn to bridge an alliance at the cost of me accepting a wolfless loser.”

“No, it’s a misunderstanding! We want to help you find a good match. Evan is a great guy.”

“Great?” Breanne stepped closer. “Their family has four single sons, all with Beta strong wolves, yet you want to choose the youngest, who has epilepsy and stutters? Do you think so low of me?”

“Well, it’s mainly because you’re the right age,” I started.

“I know you want the political match, but I refuse to marry that loser! At the party, I will choose from the other four sons. If I’m mating someone, it will be someone I like!” Breanne shouted.

My heart raced.

“Breanne, with your current reputation and background, mating with Evan is already a stretch. You have to accept the reality of your messes. You can’t be reckless. What if the incident from a few days ago gets out?”

“You think anyone will know if you don’t say anything!” Breanne scoffed, her eyes suddenly mocking. “Besides, Luna, is your closet clean? What do you think will happen to your reputation should anyone find out about your dirty secrets?”

“Breanne, enough. What could you possibly have that would-“I told her off.

“You don’t need to know right now,” Breanne sneered, stepping closer, “For right now, all you need to know is that you have two choices. Either wait until I choose a Beta son on my own, and you can play matchmaker, or I’ll expose the surveillance footage of you and Will entering the hotel room last March.”

I trembled, fear was choking me.

If that secret got out, everything I had worked for would be destroyed!

Looking at Breanne’s ungrateful face, I realized the person I had been trying to protect all these years was not who I thought.

“Fine, I’ll agree!” My voice quivered, “Tell anyone, and I will make you disappear- permanently!”

Breanne’s sharp gaze softened slightly, revealing a cold smile of victory. “Don’t worry, Luna. Once I marry into the Beta family, I’ll be sure to honour you well.”

I slumped into a chair, cold sweat pouring down my face, my eyes filled with fear and disbelief.

Could everything Claire said about Breanne being scheming and manipulative be true?

Breanne Telder, it seemed, was nothing like the obedient and understanding person she had pretended to .