99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 101

The Cruz family had a large summer home just outside of Calgary. It was situated by a lake and had been beautifully maintained throughout the years.

I had arrived alone, dressed in a simple white strapless dress, carrying only a small handbag.

It was a surprise that they were hosting the grand celebration outside the pack’s territory.

Still, I suspected that that was because a large portion of the guests weren’t entirely allied with the pack. It was easier to celebrate than restructure the warriors to not only patrol the pack borders, but also stay close to monitor the attendees.

The summer home was ablaze with lights, filled with guests from all sorts of packs, several lone wolves, and even a few cat shifters were within the mix.

Senior Beta Cruz has lived a full life, meeting a great deal of different species and cultures, which is evident in the list of attendees today.

As I stepped into the banquet hall, I barely had time to greet Liyah from afar before I bumped into Breanne.

“Well, if it isn’t the reject,” Breanne sauntered over, her voice loud enough for those nearby to hear, “And you show up empty-handed? Are you too broke to bring a gift, or do you just look down on the Cruz family?”

She dragged out the last sentence, making it sound accusatory.

I merely glanced at her, remaining silent.

At that moment, Senior Beta Cruz appeared, dressed in pack’s official colours and custom formal attire.

Guests eagerly lined up to present their gifts.

Breanne was practically frothing at the mouth as she approached the old Beta.

“Senior Beta Cruz, I’m Breanne Telder. I am here on behalf of the Sterling Moon pack to wish you a happy birthday! This exquisite crystal figure of our Moon mother is a token from my Alpha and Luna, wishing you endless blessings!”

She lowered herself, her flattery nearly spilling over.

However, Senior Beta Cruz didn’t even glance up. He nodded for the omega by his side to take it, his gaze already drifting elsewhere.

Breanne’s smile instantly froze, embarrassment and anger flashing in her eyes.

I fought the smile threatening to form on my face as I watched.

When it was my turn to approach, everyone noticed I had come empty-handed, their curious gazes fixed on me.

Calmly, I reached into my bag and pulled out a crystal pipe.

This pipe was exquisitely crafted, featuring a vintage design that shimmered under the lights, making it stand out from the usual electronic pipes.

“Senior Beta Cruz, I know you enjoy your evening smoke on the porch after dinner, but you are no longer able to do so for health reasons. So I made this little gadget myself. It will give you the taste of smoke without nicotine. I wish you longevity and happiness.”

The older Beta brightened as I presented the gift.

“Oh? This is a brilliant design! Claire, did you really make this yourself?” he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

“Yes, Senior Beta Cruz. It may not be valuable, but it comes from the heart. I hope you like it.” I replied.

“Wonderful! You must come over to see Liyah more often. You have been gone for far too long!”

The old Beta nodded repeatedly, unable to take his eyes off the gift, utterly different from his earlier indifference toward the Sterling Alpha family’s offering.

Seeing me receiving such praise while she was ignored, Breanne’s face turn a deep shade of anger.

Just then, a slightly awkward young man approached hesitantly, Evan, the youngest son of the Beta family.

Evan was the sweetest man, but he was terribly shy due to being wolfless with a stutter. I knew that approaching Breanne would be terrifying for him.

“M-Ms. Telder, h-hi, I’m E-Evan,” he stammered, trying to control his speech, extending his hand with a mix of shyness and hope.

Breanne looked at Evan with disdain, stepping back in disgust instead of shaking his hand.

“Oh! So you’re the wolfless loser of the Beta family? I thought you were someone important! Turns out you’re just a stuttering nobody!”

Evan’s face flushed red, his outstretched hand freezing in mid-air, the light in his eyes extinguished, leaving only embarrassment and hurt.

I had been aware of the matchmaking intentions between the two families, so I had been keeping an eye on Breanne’s actions.

“Breanne Telder, watch your mouth! Evan’s just trying to be polite. How could you insult him? Don’t you have any manners?”

Breanne hadn’t expected me to defend Evan publicly. There was a flash of panic in her eyes before she composed herself.

“What did I say wrong? He’s just a stuttering wolfless nobody!, He should know his place and not bother or pursue me! What’s wrong with me making him realize the truth? Claire, stop pretending to be the good person here!”

I ignored Breanne’s provocations and turned to comfort Evan.

“Evan, don’t let her get to you. You’re amazing, and a shallow woman like her isn’t worth your time!”

“R-Really? C-Claire, d-do you really think I’m amazing?” Evan looked down.

“Of course! You’re the best! Believe in yourself, and you’ll meet a mate who truly understands you!” I nodded emphatically, then shot a cold glance at Breanne. “Stay away from people like her. They don’t deserve you.”

“What?” Breanne was speechless with fury.

As Evan was distracted, Breanne stealthily extended the tip of her high heel, aiming for his ankle.

“Ah!”

Evan stumbled, losing his balance and falling forward with a startled cry.

Thud!

“Evan!” I gasped, rushing to him.

But it was too late.

As Evan fell, the overwhelming emotions mixed with sudden shock triggered his condition.

He collapsed on the ground, his body convulsing violently, eyes rolling back, making horrifying gasping sounds!

“Oh my God!”

“Beta Cruz!”

“Help!”

Screams filled the air as people rushed to gather around.

In the chaos, Breanne quickly adopted a look of fear and panic, pointing at me and shouting, “It was her! It’s Claire! Not only did she insult Evan, but she also pushed him down, causing him to have a seizure! I saw it with my own eyes!”

Her voice was shrill, as if she were the most innocent and concerned person there.

“You’re lying!” I had reached Evan’s side, furious as I pointed at Breanne. “Don’t listen to her! She’s trying to frame me!”

“Claire,” Breanne’s demeanour changed instantly; her eyes welled with tears, her acting skills on full display. “You were just upset that Evan approached me first, so you insulted him and pushed him down. Now you’re denying it?”

As we argued fiercely, Liyah and several of her brothers rushed over, hurrying to their father, Joseph Cruz.

Everyone knew that Joseph had always favoured Evan due to his health issues.

Seeing him have a seizure in public broke his heart.

Breanne’s accusations ignited his long-standing resentment toward me.

He had always harboured strong biases against me and my mother due to our past with the Crown of Thornes pack, and he disliked that Liyah was still associating with me. He felt it was an act against the pack.

“Enough!” Joseph’s gaze pierced me, “Claire, how dare you provoke my son at his grandfather’s birthday party? Your character is truly despicable. I’ve always said my family shouldn’t associate with someone like you! Guards, arrest this venomous woman! Drag her back to the pack dungeon immediately!”

Several warriors guarding the event moved to restrain me.

Liyah desperately intervened, “Dad, calm down! I don’t believe Claire did this! There must be a misunderstanding!”

Joseph forcefully shook off Liyah’s hand, “Stop defending her! I know exactly what she is! Ms. Telder is a well-raised young lady from the Sterling Moon pack. She wouldn’t accuse someone without evidence! From now on, you are to cut ties with Claire! Guards, take her to the dungeons!”

My expression was cold as I watched Joseph’s fury and the gloating in Breanne’s eyes.

Joseph’s prejudice was deeply ingrained, and I understood it all too well.

My gaze quickly scanned the area. There were no security cameras in sight, which explained why Breanne felt so confident.

The warriors had already seized my arms, preparing to escort me away. If they took me to that dungeon, I knew I wouldn’t see the light of day again.