99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 111

Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains.

I knew I should wake up fully, as well, but the warmth from Lucien’s chest beneath me, and the feel of his arm loosely wrapped around my smaller frame, was too inviting, so I relished it for a few stolen moments longer.

As if remembering it was he who was lying next to him, Lucien stopped, annoyed and struggling to push me away, and his arm tightened suddenly, holding me firmly. Closer.

Then I felt it.

It wasn’t just Lucien awake and craving touch. Little Lucien was also waking up, and that was my cue to start moving.

I jolted awake.

“Does it hurt, or did you not sleep well? It’s still early.” I did everything to avoid the issue of his awoken friend beneath the covers.

He gave a vague hum in response.

A knock came at the door. The nurse brought in the broth Bart had prepared and quickly left.

I knew she noticed. How could you not?

I inched away slightly, distancing myself from the heat-seeking missile that Lucien was seemingly unaware of, or didn’t care to hide its presence.

“Lucien, you should have some soup”, I say as I sit up, forcing my eyes not to travel any lower than his perfectly sculpted chest, and even then, I heat up with my blush.

Lucien sat up slowly, his brows still tightly knitted.

I busied myself by pouring the broth into a bowl and handed it to him.

But he didn’t move. Leaning back against the headboard, he stared at me stubbornly.

“Don’t rush away because you are uncomfortable. It’ll go away as long as you don’t feed it.” Lucien smirks mischievously. “But I am a wounded man, and I need you to feed me.”

I froze. “…What?”

Of course, he realized he had a morning erection, but his nonchalant approach grated on me. What the nurse must have thought seeing us like that.

“I said, ignore my beast, and come over here and feed me. I don’t feel like using my hands. For either of my predicaments. His tone was matter-of-fact, with a trace of petulance.

He enjoyed watching my awkwardness grow because of him.

Looking at his weary yet arrogant face, I found myself unable to refuse, at least for the part of feeding him the soup. That other situation was not my concern.

At least that is what I was telling myself, anyway.

Clumsily, I scooped up some soup, blew on it, and brought it to his lips. Lucien drank obediently, his gaze never leaving my cheek. A flicker of satisfaction passed through his eyes.

The bowl was emptied.

“I have to go now, Lucien. I need to get to work.” I set the bowl down.

Before leaving, I leaned down and kissed Lucien on the forehead. Just as he once did when we were younger, taking care of me. I don’t know why I did it, other than it felt right.

Lucien didn’t say anything about my actions; he gave a faint hum while his eyes followed me as I moved.

I picked up my bag, drew in a deep breath, and stepped out of the ward.

The cool morning air hit my face as I hurried back out of the Crown of Thornes pack territory and back into the city, heading straight to my home. I only had a limited amount of time to spare before I needed to get to work.

The driver from Lucien’s pack dropped me off at the gates and left without exchanging a word. It was both uncomfortable and appreciated, as there was too much on my mind to maintain a casual conversation with anyone right now.

What was going on with Lucien and me?

As I headed through the gates and walked towards my home, the glaring sunlight made me squint, but in the next second, my steps halted.

On the front step of my home sat Liam, slumped on the cold stone step. His suit was wrinkled and stained, his jaw covered with dark stubble.

“Claire, you’re back!” Liam shot up, “I stayed here all night! I couldn’t reach you; the warriors at the border wouldn’t let me into that bastard’s pack to find you. Are you okay?”

He was visibly anxious, gripping my shoulders and scanning me from head to toe. Once he was certain l was unharmed, he almost pulled me into a tight embrace.

My body stiffened instantly. I struggled free, stumbling two steps back.

“Liam! Please don’t touch me like that. I’m fine, just a little shaken.”

I took a deep breath, my gaze falling on his bloodshot eyes.

“You-really stayed here all night?” Something tugged faintly at my heart.

“Yeah. I didn’t dare leave.” Liam’s voice was heavy with exhaustion. “I was afraid something might happen to you, but I couldn’t get to you. So, I stayed out here the whole night. Even when-even when my mum was sent to the hospital at midnight, I couldn’t go.”

A flicker of guilt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly forced it down, managing a strained smile.

“As long as you’re safe, I’m relieved. My mum’s still in the hospital-I should go check on her.”

With that, he waved lightly, like a burden had been lifted, and turned to leave.

I stood frozen, staring at his back.

In all the years I had known him, this was the first time he had put me before his family-the dutiful Alpha heir who once would never have ignored his mother’s illness.

My chest tightened, and before I realized it, I called out.

“Liam! Wait-”

Liam stopped in his tracks, turning in surprise. “Claire? What is it?”

“You-you’re going to see your mum like this?” I faltered, then quickly found an excuse. “She’ll only worry more if she sees you in that state.”

Liam glanced down at his wrinkled shirt and rumpled jacket, embarrassed. “Uh… you’re right.”

I suddenly remembered the shop not far away, one I used to frequent.

I pointed ahead. “Come on. Let’s go to -it’s just a few minutes away.”

Liam’s eyes lit up at once. He nodded eagerly. “Okay.”

We walked side by side down the morning street.

My eyes fell on the mosquito bites scattered along his neck.

“Don’t ever do this again, Liam. Why wait outside like that? Wouldn’t it be better to rest at home?” I murmured.

“You used to say I didn’t care enough, Claire. I was afraid that if I didn’t come last night, you’d think I was heartless. Even if I couldn’t get into that hospital, as long as I didn’t leave you on the front step, I knew you were safe. I knew you would return, because you don’t quit that easily, Claire.”

I turned my head, studying the man beside me.

Since our rejection proceedings had been finalized, he had indeed grown thinner and more haggard. But even more striking was the change.

He was more openly concerned, more talkative than he had ever been before. The man I once knew would never have bared his thoughts like this.

It seemed like he genuinely wanted me back.

A thin layer of ice deep within my heart began to c***k.

But in the next instant, the humiliation of our mated years, and the finality of signing those rejection papers, surged back like a freezing tide.

There was no turning back.

I could not allow myself to show that level of weakness with Liam again.

I said nothing more. I quickened my pace until we reached the entrance door.

“We’re here.” I stopped, pointing inside.