99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 14

Before I could leave, his hands locked around my waist, yanking me back. I struggled wildly, but he steeled his hold.

“Rejecting the bond isn’t happening. Forget it; I won’t let you leave me. Not ever.”

I brought the heel of my foot down hard on his, taking him by surprise. When his hold slipped, I used my momentum and got out of his arms, fleeing upstairs without looking back.

It was clear that Liam thought I was shackled to him no matter what he did, but he also clearly forgot about the signed agreement he gave me to give him a chance to be my mate.

Twenty more days and I would be free of him forever.

I would never forgive him, and this pack for what they allowed to happen.

Liam didn’t follow. He didn’t come home at all that night.

To be honest, I didn’t expect him to. Not at this point in our bond. It was too fragmented, and 1 sense he was starting to take notice.

I packed methodically, moving my things to the new apartment just outside of the Sterling Moon pack territory.

It was a property owned by Liyah’s brother, Beta Ethan Cruz’s friend, and nestled in the metro area of the shared neutral territory between the Sterling Moon pack and the Crown of Thornes pack. With the money I had already withdrawn and the profit earned from selling everything Liam ever gifted me, I was able to pay the deposit to hold the unit. Ethan, understanding my sensitive situation and desire for discretion, had his friend agree to finalize the paperwork with my information after the rejection agreement was finalized and my bond was absolved.

I was thankful that Ethan’s friend was still willing to give me the keys in advance to begin the stealthy move–in process. I don’t know what Ethan said to his friend, but he seemed willing to help as much as possible. I really appreciated that.

Just as I finished unloading into my apartment and was about to head back to the pack, Cole Patrick called.

“Claire, come to the Hilt for dinner. My treat.”

As Liam’s Beta and the one who’d introduced us in college, Cole had always stayed cordial with me. I had no reason to refuse.

Cole wasn’t the Sterlings‘ old Beta’s pup; there was only one Beta pup born into the Sterling Moon pack, and that was Breanne. Cole Patrick won an open competition about eight years ago. Like I said, I had no reason to be upset with him. He was often out of the pack, handling diplomatic matters on behalf of the pack.

Still, it didn’t mean I trusted him either.

I made it a point to arrive earlier than Cole stated.

I wanted to survey the area in advance and know what I was walking into; that’s how I found he’d booked an entire ballroom–floral walls, cascading balloons, and absurdly lavish. The place was nearly empty.

I was suspicious but also thirsty, so I went to the bar and ordered myself a soda.

As I sat there drinking my soda, hushed voices carried over to me.

“That’s Breanne’s competition, right? Claire Something? Poor Brea, she always has to compete with pathetic gold–diggers, but this one is the worst. I heard she’s wolfless.” Giggles followed. “Obviously. Liam dotes on Breanne. If it weren’t for the pull of the mate bond, Claire wouldn’t last a week.” A collective humming in agreement followed.

“I heard he only mated with her to piss Breanne off. When she dated that rugby player, Liam tried to force her to break up with him. When she refused, he accepted the bond to Claire out of spite. Rumour was that he made a bet with his unit that Breanne would come crawling back and apologize for disobeying him after she learned he accepted a mate.”

“Oh my Goddess, I bet Claire still thinks it was love. With her background? She hit the jackpot just getting the Sterling name.”

My grip tightened on my glass.

I knew those voices–Breanne’s inner circle, the pack’s notorious mean girls. They were bleach and school.

Unfortunately, due to their close ties to the ranked members of the pack and their Elite parents‘ influence, they were never taught better or suffered the consequences of their torments of omegas or fellow pack members.

I also knew that this was no accident. They wanted me to hear.

The story about Breanne dating a Rugby player and making Liam jealous was new to me, however.

This was why he was so adamant that I accept him. And why he went against his family and pre–signed a rejection agreement at that moment.

I couldn’t believe that in three years of mating, no one had mentioned this bet. That would make sense why neither he nor his wolf cared about the pain they caused me; this was just Liam’s revenge game with Breanne.

The puzzle pieces clicked together. My chest caved in slowly, but I refused to let it show on the outside.

I stood with my shoulder drawn back and my chin high.

The trio–Mona Clark in red, Queenie Taylor in black, and Cleo Davis in white–flinched when they saw my icy gaze land on them, their chatter dying mid–sentence.

I approached, my tone light, conversational.

“Ladies, let’s be honest. However it happened, I’m still the one Liam mated. Bet or not, that’s my win. And yes–I got lucky. Luckier than you three, circling him for years and getting nowhere. I may be an afterthought, but at least I am still a thought. Who are you again?” I tilt my head, confused.

Their faces froze.

They’d all vied for Liam’s attention through Breanne for years.

Mona’s finger jabbed the air. “Who do you think you are? Showing up alone proves how little the Sterlings care about you-”

Before I could retort, two figures entered. The woman’s eyes lit up, staring past my shoulder. Then a familiar hand settled on my back. Liam’s voice, usually warm, is now sharp as ice. “Who said my mate isn’t valued in this family?”

The trio shrank like scolded children.

“Liam! We were just joking!”

“Everyone knows how devoted you are!”

“Really, because just a minute ago you were saying that Liam is only with me to make Breanne jealous. Doesn’t seem very funny, does it?” The trio’s faces paled at being called out.

“Claire, darling, don’t take it seriously!”

With a cold hum, Liam took my hand and slid a diamond onto my finger. The stone glittered, blinding.