99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 103

“Every word Claire has said here today is true!”

Senior Beta Cruz leaned on his cane as he was assisted by his head Omega in the direction where I stood, dumbfounded by his words.

“As someone who has lived next door for a lifetime, I have the best insight into this matter. Wouldn’t you think? In yet, not once had anyone asked me what I had witnessed all those years back.”

The old Beta’s eyes briefly drifted over to Lucien accusingly.

Reaching me, his wrinkled hand rested firmly on my trembling, slender shoulder.

“Every evening, I tended to my gardening on my rooftop terrace. From there, I could clearly see into Claire’s yard. During those years, her mother had many suitors pestering them incessantly. I even recognized quite a few of them here today.”

The old Beta’s gaze swept over several men in the crowd.

In an instant, many faces tightened, heads bowed in shame and embarrassment.

“But Claire’s mother never opened the door! When the dozens of men persisted, she would even throw a bucket of cold water on them! I often took late-night walks or smoked my tobacco pipe on the porch, but no man ever went inside nor left their house at night!”

Lucien stood frozen, his icy expression cracking slightly.

I looked up in disbelief at Senior Beta Cruz.

The overwhelming impact made my lips tremble.

Tears streamed down my face as I grasped his offered hand, momentarily speechless from emotion.

“Silly girl, don’t cry. These horribly judgmental people are not worth a single tear. I should’ve said this aloud long ago,” he sighed heavily, “I’ve been ill, constantly in and out of the hospital during those final years. I could never find the right opportunity to clear your mother’s name. You must have suffered so much all these years.”

Tears fell from my eyes, unable to be contained.

I held his hand tightly, overwhelmed with gratitude and speechless.

“I can also testify for Mrs. Reese!”

Liyah finally found her courage, stepping up beside me and taking my other hand.

“From the day Claire moved to Crown of Thornes pack, we became fast friends. During the years Mrs. Reese was alive, I never saw a single man enter their place! Even,” she glanced at Lucien, her voice clear, “even when Alpha Emeric often brought gifts, he never set foot inside. They met out on the porch to avoid rumours or our Luna misunderstanding their friendship!”

Breanne’s face turned pale.

She had hoped to ruin my reputation completely, never expecting the Beta family members to defend my mother.

As the tide began to turn, Breanne panicked and interrupted,

“Fine! If you believe her mother and Alpha Lucien’s father were innocent, then tell us why her mother rushed to marry Alpha Emeric Thorne right after his mate died? A truly virtuous woman wouldn’t take advantage of such a situation!”

Breanne’s accusation added fuel to the fire.

Those women, once on the verge of losing power to judge my mother out loud, quickly found their outlet for anger, shouting in outrage.

“Right! She was the mistress! Luna Thorne took her own life after finding out about their affair!”

“It was disgusting! She moved in so quickly after Luna Thorne’s death!”

“She was a shameless b***h! I bet Senior Beta Cruz has memory loss due to age, which is why he would defend such a person. He should stop the celebration and send everyone home!”

The venomous spittle surged once again.

Moments ago, I had just made a tiny step in the direction of progress to clearing my mother and f*****g Breanne Telder got in my way again.

“My mother never truly lived with Alpha Emeric Thorne until her death. There were reasons for their relationship, whether you believe it or not. But you nosy bitches don’t deserve to know it. Continue to believe your cheating mates for all I care.”

Knowing it was futile to explain, I still had to speak up. Even if just in part.

In this world, I was the only one who would stand up for my mother.

I couldn’t let my mother be completely tarnished and consumed by filthy rumours.

I risked a glance over in his direction, and Lucien’s pupils constricted slightly.

At that moment, his cold voice rang out, forcing the conversation back on track.

“So, Evan,” his gaze sharpened like a blade, scanning the crowd, “tell us how exactly you collapsed and triggered your seizure?”

The sudden inquiry brought the noise to a halt; even those who were about to leave paused to turn back.

Breanne visibly filled with panic, quickly trying to explain, “Alpha Thorne, I was just saying…”

“Check the surveillance.” Lucien interrupted her decisively, “Now. I want to see who really dared to hurt

Evan.”

His statement, while seemingly seeking justice for Evan, struck me hard.

He emphasized really. Did that mean he really did believe me?

I looked up, deeply into Lucien’s eyes.

A strong intuition told me that this wasn’t just about Evan.

It felt like a subtle form of protection. His roundabout way of saving me without anyone knowing he cared.

If he hadn’t brought the topic back, I would have surely fallen into an abyss of despair tonight. The Cruz family would have separated from me; I would never have seen Liyah, Kian, or even Ethan again. The scandal would be everywhere, and I would be run out of the province as a result. This crowd of bitches was just looking for an excuse.

Even Senior Beta Cruz and Liyah would suffer from the scandal and potentially be tainted for defending

If that happened, I would lose my only constant friend in Alberta.

I lowered my head, not daring to speculate further.

Just then, Ethan had rushed in, sweat beading on his forehead.

He wasn’t here when everything initially happened. He came when Lucien did.

Ethan leaned in and said, “Alpha, I’m so sorry to report that the surveillance cameras did not cover that blind spot.”

I watched as Breanne visibly relaxed, and she smiled from ear to ear at the news Ethan had reported back.

“Alpha Thorne, why go through the trouble of checking the surveillance?” Breanne said, her eyes gleaming with triumph as though she hadn’t heard the same update that I had, “I’m the best witness! Every word I said is absolutely true. I swear it! I’m sure the cameras will confirm that.”

Meanwhile, Joseph’s face had turned ashen.

He was a man of stature and took pride in his public image as Beta, active or retired, of the Crown of Thornes pack.

What should have been a dignified birthday celebration for his father had turned chaotic, and the guests were watching as if it were a show, humiliating him.

“Alpha, I believe Ms. Telder’s testimony! The fact is clear. There’s no need to waste more time! Guards!” He suppressed his anger, issuing an undeniable order. “Get Claire to the dungeon immediately! I will deal with her behavior personally after the celebration is concluded.”

“Hold on!”

Lucien’s cold voice rang out, and he raised his hand to stop them.

His gaze didn’t linger on Breanne’s smug face or Joseph’s impatient one.

His sharp eyes first swept over Evan, still resting in the lounge area, then slowly, with a sense of pressure, landed on Kian in the crowd.

They were communicating privately through their linked connection as Alpha and Gamma.

Kian felt as if he had been jolted awake, suddenly slapping his forehead and exclaiming, “Oh Goddess! How could I have forgotten about this?”

His confusion was quickly replaced by excitement as he understood whatever Lucien had silently communicated, and he immediately headed toward his little brother with steady purpose.