99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 137

“Claire? W-why did you hit me?” His voice carried hurt. “Claire, seeing your cousin after all these years- aren’t you happy?”

Liam held his cheek, shock and confusion warring in his eyes as he stared at me in absolute disbelief.

“Well, well, Claire. Look how pretty you’ve grown. We have been looking for you for a long time.”

From across the room, Jack leaned back with his arms crossed, his gaze crawling over me with sticky malice.

“All these years and not once did you come home to visit us. You haven’t been hiding from us, have you? I believe we have unfinished business, don’t you think?”

The barbed words pierced straight through my defences like poisoned daggers.

Memories of my childhood humiliation, the twisted grins of Jack and his brothers as they bullied me, exploded in my mind like shattering glass.

“Since my cousins are doing so well now, none of you ever thought to lower yourselves to visit me in Edmonton, did you? Jack-it really has been a long time.”

Every word ground through clenched teeth. My fists tightened, knuckles white, my glare hot enough to ignite the air between us.

Jack slipped one hand into his pocket, meeting my stare with mocking defiance.

“How could we? You and your worthless mother snuck away in the cloak of night. Don’t you think it’s time to atone for her ways?” A crooked smile curved his lips.

Invisible sparks flared in the air.

Only then did Liam catch the tension between us.

He turned helplessly toward me, bewildered.

Liyah yanked hard on his sleeve, “Liam, if you knew even a fraction of Claire’s past, you would never have arranged such an insulting dinner! You truly are a selfish mate!”

I could see that Liyah’s words hit him like a thunderclap.

He stared blankly at me, mind reeling.

After years together, this just proved that Liam never took an interest in learning about his mate. Other than that, I came from Calgary and had cousins I had never associated with; he knew nothing about my past.

He took everything at face value and believed the versions of my life and past told to him by his mother and bestie, Breanne. My words were mute to him.

“My wayward cousin is finally home. This deserves a celebration, so how about this: dinner’s on me. What are you all still standing around for? Sit down!” Jack’s false cheer filled the room. His smile was so forced it was nauseating. “Alpha Sterling, there is no need to be polite-we’re family! Let’s drink and catch up properly tonight.”

My throat felt clogged with rot. My stomach turned violently.

One look at Jack’s face, and the wildfire of hatred in my chest nearly consumed my reason.

“There is no need! Jack, your presence is more than I can stomach. I’m leaving, I’d sooner eat in a bus station than sit at a table with you.”

My voice was cold as I turned to go.

I couldn’t bear another second of pretense.

Liyah immediately backed me, eyes sharp as blades on Jack.

“If you had any heart, you’d have thought about how Claire had survived all these years. Good and evil always come back around. Just wait, your karma is coming.”

She swung a fist in his direction for emphasis, then hurried after me.

But we had barely stepped into the hall before several tall men in black appeared like shadows, blocking the way with their hulking forms.

Jack strolled up slowly, “Leaving without dinner? What would people think if word got out?” His hand reached as if to rest affectionately on my shoulder. “And from what your friend just said- it looks like you’ve been telling tales about us all these years, haven’t you?”

Just before his fingers touched me, I jerked aside.

I brushed at my shoulder with deliberate disgust, as though wiping away filth.

“So, now you are threatening to keep us here by force?”

“Of course not.” Jack’s grin widened, “This is a warm invitation. I hear you’re mated now. Meeting your Alpha mate today; I must say, he does look impressive.”

He shifted suddenly, slinging an arm over Liam’s shoulders and pressing him firmly toward a chair.

“Alpha Sterling, we’re family. Families should stay close, wouldn’t you agree? Since you’ve come all the way to Calgary, why not stay a while? In fact, I’ll take you on a tour of the Reese Group’s industrial park. And you should meet the rest of the family, too.”

“The Reese Group?” I watched as Liam’s eyes lit up at the connection that this would grant him. Then, his pupils shrank as he stared at Jack in disbelief.

“The Bennett Group was a giant that everyone in Calgary knew-the industry leader, the top taxpayer, and a powerhouse no one dared to ignore. They have no pack ties. Are you looking to join one?”

Liam was practically frothing at the mouth.

Jack chuckled as he took a sip of his red wine.

“Indeed, my father, brothers and I are powerful people. We started something great and are now recognized for it. As for packs, we are always willing to hear pitches from worthy Alphas.”

Liam turned to me in shock. “Claire, this massive empire belonged to your family? Why hadn’t you mentioned this to me?”