99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 122

His words struck me. Why was I the first person he came to to ask?

“Oh no, well, I believe the last time I saw Breanne would have been the same place that you did, which was at the awards banquet.”

I only paused briefly, then lied. I had no intention of telling Liam what had happened afterward.

Still, doubt stirred faintly in my heart.

Lucien had promised last night to let Breanne go, so why hadn’t she returned home yet? I refused to believe that Lucien would have lied to me. It wasn’t the time; if he wanted Breanne to disappear, he would have said so.

While I hesitated, Liam took this opportunity and walked into my apartment as if it were his own and sprawled on the wide sofa.

“I’m starving, Claire. Could you make me some breakfast?”

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he looked at me with eyes full of weariness and melancholy.

I had meant to refuse, but seeing him so exhausted and forlorn, a pang of pity welled up inside me, especially when I was intentionally withholding information to protect Lucien.

Since it was still early before work, I said nothing more and turned toward the kitchen.

Before long, I set a plate filled with a pancake, three strips of bacon and scrambled eggs.

“Breakfast is ready, come and eat.”

Liam had already dozed off on the sofa, but at my words, he bolted upright and hurried to the table.

“It smells amazing. Just an ordinary breakfast, but in your hands, it all tastes different.”

Praising without restraint, Liam lifted his fork and ate ravenously.

“Claire, the kitchen at home is still the way you left it. I haven’t thrown out a single thing of yours, because to me, you’re still the mistress of that house. I believe that one day, you’ll return to it.”

Liam gazed at me, giving my heart a faint tremor.

But I remove myself from those unwanted thoughts.

I begin clearing away his utensils and plate, preparing to wash them and ignore the feelings that Liam is desperate to re-ignite.

“Claire,” Liam suddenly caught my wrist. His voice was soft, almost cautious. “Leave the dishes. I’ll wash them later. Could you sit with me for a while? I’m just-so tired.”

The word “tired” brushed across my heart like the soft side of a cat’s paw. It was the first time I had ever heard him say such a thing.

In my memory, Liam had always been calm and composed, never rushing, never flustered, never showing fatigue before anyone.

But after the rejection ceremony, he had visibly withered. Worn down, unkempt, he no longer carried the same polished air as before. This was the effect when an Alpha loses their true mate.

They weaken. They tire. They fade away.

I sighed lightly. I had intended to refuse, yet almost against my will, I sat down across from him again.

“How is your father’s health?”

“Not good. Another cerebral hemorrhage. He’s fallen into a deep coma-still in the ICU. From now on, the Sterling Moon pack will fall on my shoulders.” Liam exhaled heavily.

“The Sterling Moon pack has always run smoothly. With your ability and years of proven leadership, even if you take over, there shouldn’t be too much of a problem.” I tried to comfort him.

But Liam fixed his gaze on me, soft yet urgent.

“What I need now is my Luna-someone I can trust completely. I plan to expand aggressively and strive to make stronger pack alliances with others that my father wasn’t certain about. Connections with packs from other areas and different cultures will create unique opportunities for the pack. You know my foreign language skills aren’t strong, and I don’t trust anyone else—”

I immediately caught the implication in his words. I instinctively tried to decline.

“Then post a personal ad. There’s no shortage of females looking to be mated to an Alpha in the world.

With the right conditional mating contract, you’ll find the right person.”

“You are my mate, I only want you!” Liam seized my wrist again. “I often think-if only you were by my side, helping me, supporting me. Didn’t you once say the couple you admired most were those who conquered the world together, side by side, building their family into greatness? My father’s health is failing. If you’d return to me now, nothing would stand in our way!”

Yes, I had said those things before-but back when our love was at its strongest.

I had never wished to be just a housewife. Yet back then, Liam had scoffed at my dreams and supported his parents in the thought that I wasn’t Luna material.

For all his gentleness, he was deeply traditional at heart, insisting I stay home to raise pups, forbidding me to be involved in the pack affairs.

And now- he’s finally enlightened? Or was he finally seeing my abilities, ready to entrust me with the title that should have always been mine?

It was too late-far too late.

I firmly pulled my hand free.

“Yes, I used to think that way. But at the time, you didn’t believe in me. You never believed that I was capable of being the Luna by your side. A wolfless Luna could not understand the sacrifice and power of the role. Those were your words. There is no us, Liam. I have rejected you, and the council forced you to accept it. Our lives and ambitions in life are parallel lines, never to cross again.”

Liam didn’t give up.

“If you’d agree to join me, I’ll give you the position of Luna. I will remove my mother officially and give the title to you before the entire pack. Isn’t that better than being just a designer at some mediocre furniture company?”

Luna over the Sterling Moon pack was no small offer.

To be honest, I never imagined Liam would have valued me so much that he would offer me such a high post.

I smiled faintly. “I’ll say it again-we have no active bond. We have both rejected it and moved on. Don’t tangle the idea of us being together anymore. It will only make things messy.”

The light and hope dimmed in Liam’s eyes at my words.

I watched a series of emotions score across his features, his eyes reddened before he could stop them.

I sat across from him in silence, waiting for him to accept my words. I didn’t want to have to keep repeating this rejection daily, but Liam kept bringing it up.

It hurt me to have to keep hurting him, but there was nothing else left to be said on my end.

I would never be Liam’s Luna. Temporary or permanent, it didn’t matter.