99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 132

The splendour of the restaurant engulfed us as we entered.

Lucien’s stride was steady. I could sense his wolf close to the surface, seeing what Lucien was seeing.

I followed closely, all the way to the private room at the far end.

The door opened.

Inside, laughter and chatter died instantly.

My eyes went straight to Matthew, seated beside the central spot-clearly reserved for Lucien.

On Matthew’s left sat a young woman. Beside her was a well-dressed middle-aged couple-clearly her parents.

Across the table were several men in suits, deferential, no doubt Matthew’s subordinates. These would be pack elite warriors, loyal to Matthew under the guise of being pack loyal.

Has Lucien noticed the pack’s influence shifting yet?

My eyes shifted back to the unknown woman, and my breath hitched when I took in the young woman’s profile.

That face was eerily similar to my own.

“Lucien, you’re finally here. Everyone’s been waiting for you.” Matthew rose with a broad smile. But when his eyes slid past Lucien to me, a flash of cold malice cut through the warmth.

My heart lurched. I instinctively edged closer to Lucien.

Matthew stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over me like a blade.

“Lucien, why did you bring her? Do you wish to insult your deceased mother by keeping her company?” His voice carried a strange edge.

That look pierced me like knives. My whole body went taut.

And then-before everyone-Lucien seized my wrist.

“Matthew, we’ve already eaten. We just came to say hello. I will remind you not to bring my mother up so casually again. My mother always cherished Claire when we were younger.”

The air snapped taut.

The girl, her parents, and even the attendants stared in shock at our joined hands.

Matthew’s expression darkened, a storm gathering.

“Lucien, Yvonne and her parents have been waiting a long time. Eating already doesn’t matter. Sit, and have a drink. It’s the least you can do; you haven’t been staying within the pack lately. I’ve missed my Alpha.”

Lucien didn’t flinch, nor did he explain. With only a slight nod, he led me straight to the table.

The moment I sat down in the chair Lucien pulled out for me, I felt eyes stabbing into me, prickling my skin, making every breath difficult.

I tried to pull my hand back, but Lucien’s grip was unyielding, enclosing mine inescapably.

Then-before all of them-he lifted a napkin and spread it neatly for me, the gesture so intimate, so natural, it was as if we were truly lovers.

“Matthew, this young lady is-?” The girl’s father finally broke the silence.

Matthew opened his mouth, but Lucien cut in first. His voice rang clear through the room.

“My girlfriend.”

Boom-

The words crashed down like a bomb. The room fell silent, every breath suspended.

Matthew’s face turned red with rage. His eyes flashed with the wolf, struggling for dominance, but Matthew won out, his gaze staying locked on our interlaced hands.

“Lucien, that’s not a joke to make lightly.” Matthew set his cup down with a brittle smile. “Claire is your step-sister. What nonsense is this?”

Lucien gave a soft laugh and turned his gaze on Matthew.

“Matthew, I checked the records. My father and her mother never actually registered their mating with the council. No registration, no union. Clearly, this was just a malicious rumour spun by someone, intending to fuel my wrath towards Claire and our parents.”

“In fact, other than rumours, I don’t see any documentation of their affair or union. Without that, how could she be my step-sister?”

The words rippled through the room like stones striking water.

I was stunned. Even I thought it was registered with the council.

Matthew’s face went from pale to livid. His eyes blazed with fury and menace. But when he met Lucien’s frozen, fathomless gaze, his anger faltered. He tore his eyes away, defeated.

My heart clenched as though a hand had gripped it tight. Cold sweat slicked my palms.

My gaze drifted to Lucien.

So that was why he refused to be called brother, after hearing Liam bring it up earlier. A surge of tangled emotions roared through my chest.

Lucien rose, pulling me with him.

“Sit down!”

Matthew’s voice cracked behind them, low yet weighted. A snarl ripped through the room, and Lucien’s eyes flashed yellow with his wolf not appreciating being openly challenged by a lesser male.

“Lucien, your engagement with Yvonne was arranged when your mother was still alive. It may have been a child’s betrothal, but Yvonne has waited for you all these years, loyal and true. If our late Luna could see from the meadow, what would her wish be? Don’t you think you owe her an answer?”

I turned in shock to Lucien.

He had been betrothed as a child? Why had she never heard of this? That couldn’t be true. Our Luna never supported arranged matings; she believed in true mates or true love.