99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 121

His fingers tightened unconsciously, though his voice carried the faintest c***k of wavering.

“You think it’s that simple, then? To live in the light? Claire, do you really think it’s so easy to escape the dark?”

I instantly caught the flicker of hesitation.

My heart leapt, but I refused to relax for even a second. Lucien was too unpredictable when challenged.

Softly, I said, “Lucien, if we work together, we can. Look-right now you’re willing to listen to me. Isn’t that already the beginning of change?”

On the screen, Breanne had collapsed to the floor. She shrieked and thrashed wildly, trying to fling off the serpent sinking its fangs into her ankle. The piercing cries echoed through the empty room, more wretched than the howls of the damned.

Lucien’s brows drew together as he stared at the screen.

After a long silence, he finally gave in, “Fine, you win. I will spare her as you wish.”

He rose and strode to the console, fingers moving swiftly across the panel.

On the screen, a heavy mechanical arm extended, clamping firmly onto Breanne and lifting it away from the hissing snakes. A chemical was released, putting the snakes into an instant sleep-like state.

Breanne was released from the clamp and collapsed bonelessly, gasping for breath.

Moments later, the metal platform shifted her back to the original spot. Black-clad men came forward, unfastened her restraints, and hauled her away like discarded baggage.

I had no intention of seeing Breanne face-to-face. To me, even one more word with such a woman was nauseating.

A pampered flower like Breanne-after enduring Lucien’s warning once-would surely not dare stir up trouble so easily again.

This was my hope.

It would be smart for Breanne to focus on Liam, since he was now single and leave me be. After all, I might not stop Lucien next time.

***BREANNE POV***

I didn’t understand what was happening, but I was tossed into a truck and sent away in secret.

But as the truck rolled down the mountain, another vehicle suddenly blocked the road.

A pack warrior in black approached, showed his credentials, and said coldly, “I’ll be taking the woman in this truck.”

The driver, recognizing him as one of their own pack warriors, handed me right over without a thought.

I was then flung into the back seat of a sleek car. Half-dead and poisoned, I felt my body grotesquely swollen. I looked more monster than human.

With great effort, I lifted my head. Across from me sat a gaunt man with a harsh face and a thin mustache, gazing down with eyes that seemed to pierce straight through my soul.

“W-who are you?” I stammered, trembling all over.

The unknown man chuckled with a sinister gleam in his eyes. “I’m the one who can help you destroy Claire.”

The words were few, but they struck me like a bolt of lightning.

I had schemed against Claire again and again, only to end up humiliated every time. At this moment, even if someone laid a million dollars before me, I wouldn’t care. But if someone offered me a way to destroy Claire, I would claw my way back from the grave to seize it.

Almost instantly, I clutched the man’s trouser leg, “R-Really? You really have a way to deal with her?”

The man bent down, brushing off my filthy hands in pure disgust.

“Of course. But you’ll need to show me your sincerity.”

“Yes!” I blurted without hesitation, not even bothering to ask what the price might be.

Hatred for Claire burned in my chest like wildfire.

Why should we both be women, both born into hardship, and yet it seemed that Claire was always the lucky one-always surviving, thriving even after rejection-while I was left a laughingstock, ruined again and again by Claire’s hand?

I couldn’t accept it. That refusal festered like a tumour inside me. I swore I would never lose to Claire as long as I lived.

“Good. We’ll discuss the terms at the hotel-after you’ve cleaned yourself up. And look less disgusting.” I instantly caught the double meaning.

I strained to open my eyes, desperate to see him clearly. But the venom had swollen my face so severely that my lids were slits.

The itching was unbearable. It felt as if bugs were devouring my whole body. I writhed on the car floor, groaning in agony.

“Give her the antidote; she’s agreed and has earned it.”

At his command, someone shoved a pill into my mouth and forced water down my throat.

Soon, the itching began to ease, the swelling slowly subsiding. I lay limp on the floor, drained by the torment.

The car drove into the underground garage of a secluded resort hotel on the city’s outskirts and vanished.

As I slipped back into my unconscious state, my last lingering thoughts were of joy. Finally, Claire would suffer, and I’d be the one to do it.

I couldn’t wait to watch her fall before everyone and plead mercy from me.

***CLAIRE POV***

After he released Breanne, promising to have her treated and dropped back at the pack border, Lucien escorted me back home.

We stepped off the sidewalk in silence and walked toward our separate doors.

Just as I fished for my keys, Lucien’s voice came from behind.

“The furniture for his wing-go with your Plan A.”

My heart jolted as if struck by a hammer.

Tomorrow was the deadline. I had submitted both Plan A and Plan B, waiting anxiously for his decision.

Deep down, I had hoped he would choose Plan A, since its design would be far more helpful for stroke patients, and I really wanted Alphe Emeric to know a sliver of peace in his final days.

Lucien’s choice of Plan A showed me that my words tonight hadn’t been in vain. Even if he hadn’t fully yielded, some of the ice in his heart had cracked.

My lips curved into a radiant smile. “Alright, Lucien, then tomorrow I’ll-”

I spun around, eager to discuss the details further.

Bang-

Lucien had already slammed his door shut. By the time I had turned, he was already gone.

Left in the hall, I could only shrug helplessly, half exasperated, half amused.

Dragging my weary body inside, I washed up and collapsed into bed.

The next morning, sharp knocking dragged me from sleep. Rubbing my eyes, I opened the door to find Líam standing there, haggard and bloodshot.

“Liam-what happened to you?” I asked in surprise at the state of his appearance.

“My father had another cerebral hemorrhage last night. He’s in the hospital-I stayed with him till dawn.” Liam’s voice was urgent.

“And just now the head Omega from the Sterling packhouse just called me. Breanne never came home last night, and her phone’s off. Claire, I am not accusing you of anything, but I need you to think carefully- where was the last place you saw her?”