99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 105

Lucien lowered his gaze, his expression indifferent as he glanced at me.

“Claire, don’t confuse your significance to me. I did not do this for you. I simply don’t want Evan to fall into her traps. I also want the Beta patriarch to understand that I will never support a mating between the two packs. They are beneath us.”

I had anticipated his response and smiled lightly.

“I know, but I still appreciate your assistance, even if it was second-hand saving.”

Regardless of what Lucien wanted to portray, I knew that if Lucien hadn’t intervened today, I would have been dragged to the dungeons in a pack where even rogues tremble to cross through.

Even with Evan coming forward once he recovered, the public would have maintained the perception of me that they have of my mother.

Watching me thank Lucien while ignoring him entirely caused Liam to sigh audibly in annoyance.

What did he expect for me?

He may have arrived late, but I was sure that he could piece the puzzle together. Breanne, his innocent bestie, nearly had me dragged to the dungeons, never to be seen again.

I could have died. Again.

Taking a deep breath, Liam turned his attention from me and approached Breanne slowly.

He looked as though he were approaching a skittish, wounded animal, cautious and prepared to launch if she tried to run.

“Breanne…”

Just as Liam was about to speak, Breanne grabbed his arm like a drowning person clutching a lifeline.

“Liam, please help me! I realize my mistake, but I don’t feel comfortable kneeling in front of everyone. If this gets out, what will people think of us? Bowing to another pack’s Beta family?”

Liam had always been protective of Breanne.

I wondered how he would approach this situation. There was a lot more at risk if he shielded her than just losing his mate bond to me.

A potential war was also at risk.

1 could see Liam’s conflict; heck, everyone watching, while pretending they weren’t, could see the conflict. But as an Alpha, one must make those tough choices.

This was one of those moments for Liam.

“This situation has escalated to this point. Apologizing is the least that you can do. Breanne, you need to apologize to the entire Beta family! Otherwise, you won’t be coming back to the Sterling Moon pack tonight. I’ll send you back to that small town immediately!”

Liam’s usually gentle tone turned unexpectedly harsh.

Breanne stumbled back a few steps, disbelief written all over her face.

“Liam, what are you saying? After everything we’ve been through together, you’re abandoning me, too?”

“You have two choices. Apologize now or go back to your old home tonight!” Liam’s lips pressed tightly together, a hint of pain flickering in his eyes, but he remained resolute.

“No! I don’t want to go back there! I refuse!”

But when she realized there was no room for negotiation with Liam, she started to understand her harsh reality.

In the Sterling family, feelings would always be secondary to interests.

Even Liam, who had loved her so much, would cast her aside without hesitation if it meant protecting the family’s interests. He was proving that to her now.

Holding back tears, Breanne finally succumbed and knelt, bending her neck to the entire Beta family in apology-a sign of submission.

The sight plunged the hall into a heavy silence.

Liam stood to the side, humbly bending his neck to the Beta family.

I was surprised by that, and I am not sure how Alpha Henry will view that.

An Alpha, heir or not, should never bend a neck to a Beta family. It was an insult to their pedigree and wolf.

‘I’m sorry,

Senior Beta Cruz, Beta Cruz, and everyone here. Please, for my sake, forgive Breanne this once.

I promise it won’t happen again!”

Joseph’s face remained cold as he replied, “Let today’s events end here. I hope you can properly discipline your pack member when you’re home, to prevent such foolishness in the future.”

As the Cruz family began organizing the seating, the birthday party gradually resumed.

Liyah finally managed to break away and rushed to my side with a devious grin like the cat that stole the canary.

Seeing Breanne still bending a neck at the entrance, Liyah couldn’t help but laugh, “Claire-bear, did you see? The wicked witch brought this upon herself! Come on, let’s drink to celebrate!”

I raised my glass and downed it in one go.

Liyah, seeing this, laughed and called over a few of her brothers to join us in drinking.

With the alcohol giving me courage, I stepped out onto the terrace, gazing up at the moon, murmuring,

“Mum, you said I could look at the moon when I miss you. But I’ve seen the moon countless times, yet I’ve never seen you visit my dreams in response.”

A gust of night wind blew, causing me to stumble slightly, but a hand reached out from behind to steady

As I turned to thank the person, a familiar scent of pine wafted toward me, making my heart skip a beat.

I looked up to find Lucien’s deep, cold eyes meeting mine.

“That woman isn’t worth thinking about. She doesn’t deserve to be called a mother.”

Lucien’s hand firmly supported my waist, his warm palm against my skin, yet his words felt icy.

Despite my earlier declarations and the support from Senior Beta Cruz and Liyah, he still seemed unconvinced of my mother’s innocence.

“Have you seen the movie, Pride and Prejudice?” I forced a smile, breaking free from his grip and turning my gaze back to the lonely crescent moon.

“Prejudice prevents you from accepting my kindness, while arrogance makes me disdain explaining myself. We’re both trapped in our own gilded cages, like Elizabeth and Darcy. The deepest misunderstandings often stem from our most self-righteous beliefs. You would rather live with hatred behind that wall than take a step outside to see if there are other possibilities.”

Lucien’s eyes ignited with fierce anger.

He suddenly reached out, gripping my neck tightly, enough to choke me nearly.

“Stop trying to absolve that evil woman! The fact is, my mother died because of her! And it’s also true that that heartless b***h married my father right afterward!”

His chest heaved with emotion, turmoil raging within him.

“Your mother misunderstood my mum’s relationship with your dad! Matthew deliberately framed her! If you don’t believe me, ask Bart about it!” I choked out.

“As for my mum marrying your father…” I swallowed hard, feeling the pressure on my neck ease slightly. I instinctively pulled away, gasping for breath.

“That was a last resort. My mum married your father to protect what was left behind for mine. In truth, there was never anything between my mum and your father. They never marked and mated, you blind fool! They remained innocent until her death, and you continue to torture yours!”

“Claire, stop lying!” Lucien’s eyes trembled with fury as he shoved me dangerously close to the railing!

“I don’t believe it! I won’t believe any of it! An evil woman is an evil woman. A scoundrel is a scoundrel! They must pay for my mother’s death! I will make sure of it.”