99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 118

The sharp edge of his shoulder blade dug into my ribs, not clearing the haze in my head but instead stoking the strange heat raging inside me.

“Mmhmm,” I let out a muffled whimper. I wondered what Lucien did to tone his body so perfectly. Of course, Alphas had incredible physiques, but was this natural or the result of discipline and exercise?

The chill of his suit against my burning skin sent a shiver of relief through me.

“Lucien, you feel so cool.” I moaned through my words.

Lucien didn’t slow his measured strides, but my body slung over his shoulder, nuzzling into him.

“Lucien,” I whimpered again, my fingers scratching weakly through the fabric of his suit. The feel of the chilled fabric against my fingertips was like a damp cloth on a hot summer day. “L-let me down. I need to feel more.”

It was less a protest, more a spoiled plea.

“Behave, Claire.”

Lucien’s voice dropped, his arm clamping tighter around the back of my knees.

“Mmhmm-” I only pressed closer, greedy for the crisp pinewood scent clinging to him. Lucien-you smell so good. If I were a wolf, I’d eat you right up.” I teased.

His jaw clenched hard. Without breaking stride, he approached our neighbouring doors. I began to grow bolder. I squirmed, my fingers slipping into the gap of his suit jacket, brushing against the heat beneath his shirt.

“Why won’t you talk to me, Lucien?”

My hand found the muscle of his waist and, mischievously, squeezed it.

Lucien drew in a sharp breath, his Adam’s apple bobbing hard as he increased his pace to his door.

He punched in the passcode with practiced speed and carried me into the home. His destination was clear-the wide, white leather sofa in the living room.

Without the slightest gentleness, he dumped me, his apparent little troublemaker, down.

I melted into the cushions like ice cream left in the sun.

“Ohhhh, I love how this feels. Lucien, come feel this.” I moaned as I molested the leather material of his sofa.

My dazed eyes lifted, catching on Lucien’s long legs clad in tailored trousers. My gaze lingered, trailing up to the hard line of his jaw.

“Lucien, you’re very handsome, you know. Too good-looking, if you ask me!” I crooked a finger at him. “Come here. I’ve got something to tell you-”

I was like a little wildcat curled on the sofa. He leaned forward instinctively-only to be caught when I suddenly wrapped both arms around his neck.

“Lucien, carry me. Like you would when we were kids. I-I want you to carry me again.”

Lucien’s eyes widened. I could feel his heartbeat hammering violently against his ribs.

I smiled at the memory of myself as a little girl with pigtails, all giggles as I tugged at his neck, begging him to give me a piggyback ride to the amusement park.

“You are you pretending to be drunk?”

He shoved me away hard, stumbling back two steps until his back hit the coffee table.

I, pushed aside, collapsed limply against the sofa. The rough motion churned my stomach, and suddenly-

“Urgh-“I gagged, curling into myself.

Lucien’s eyes snapped sharply, and he shoved a trash bin in front of me in an instant.

But the next moment, I only hiccuped and flopped over, mumbling like a child.

Lucien crouched, brushing my burning forehead with his fingertips.

He forced himself to keep his expression steady, but I suddenly burrowed into his chest like a clingy kitten, arms winding around his neck.

“Lucien, hold me, please. I’m so hot-”

Heat bled off me in waves, which I could see nearly shattering his control.

Lucien drew a deep breath, prying me away, but I was already writhing restlessly.

“Don’t move, Claire!”

His bark carried no effect-my eyes were glassy, my movements reckless. I couldn’t stop myself as my fingers fumbled with his shirt buttons, desperate.

“Darn it.” Lucien hissed, gripping my wrists. But I was far stronger than I looked, nearly dragging him. down onto me. The drug fueled my desperation to feel wanted by someone.

It took his full strength to pin me against the sofa. To stop my struggling, he tore a strip from my dress and bound my wrists.

My body twisted feverishly, parched and restless, craving something I didn’t fully understand. All I knew was that Lucien would make me feel better if I could get closer to him.

At last, through my haze, I sensed movement in the room, but’ Lucien was still pinning me down.

John, Lucien’s assistant, was suddenly in the room with us. When did he come into the room? Had he always been there? I didn’t want John; I wanted Lucien and only him.

“Alpha, here is the antidote for Ms. Reese. She was given a lust drug, Alpha.” I felt something cool against my lips.

Lucien had quickly dissolved it in water, carefully spooning it gently to my mouth.

“Mmm, that’s so sweet, Lucien. I want more.”

The sudden sweetness at my lips had me greedily swallowing, like a child.

Lucien stayed crouched before me.

He cupped my chin lightly with one hand, steadying the cup with the other, feeding me spoonful by spoonful.

As the antidote took hold, I calmed.

Once again, Lucien was my dark hero. There was no one else I would trust like this, and he continues to prove why.

***LUCIEN POV***

I exhaled deeply, then rose to my feet. My eyes cut toward John.

“What happened tonight?”

John scrambled to reply.

“It was Breanne Telder again. She bribed a hotel staffer to spike Ms. Reese’s wine. Luckily, the men you had following her caught it in time. Otherwise, tonight would’ve ended in disaster. That white van outside -it was arranged by Breanne, too. They were going to take Ms. Reese to a warehouse, payback for the eight rogues from you.”

“Breanne Telder, again!” My wolf’s fur bristled at the thought of something happening to Claire.

I turned back to the sofa. Claire slept soundly, her cheeks still faintly flushed, like a ripe peach begging to be touched.

I bent down, gently tucking the blanket around her shoulders.

“John.” I ordered, “Bring Ms. Telder to my hunting grounds. It’s time to send a proper message that she can understand.”

“Yes, Alpha Lucien. Do you want it done now?”

My lips curved, my eyes glinting with lethal promise. “Yes! Now!”

“But what about Ms. Reese?” John asked, glancing at the sleeping figure on the sofa.

I said nothing. I only bent, lifting Claire in my arms once more! My movements were gentle, cradling her like the most precious treasure in the world-yet my eyes were filled with nothing but killing intent.

“Let’s go,” I said, voice brooking no refusal.