99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 145

Silence settled over the house at last.

I stood before Lucien, warmth flooding my chest. My lips curved faintly, though my eyes kept drifting, too hesitant to meet his.

Off to the side, I caught Liyah and Carson exchanging a subtle, yet knowing glance, with teasing smiles spreading across their faces.

A brief, delicate quiet lingered in the air.

“I’m hungry. I want Calgary’s infamous cuisine!”

Lucien broke it first, raising a brow, his voice casual as if nothing had just happened.

“Ah? Oh!” I snapped back to myself and nodded quickly. “That’s easy! I’ll cook tonight. Liyah, help me prep -we’ll let you taste my cooking.”

“Yes! Finally, a feast!” Liyah clapped her hands in delight.

“Ms. Reese, just tell me what you need. I’ll go buy it right away!” Carson responded with full energy.

Soon, the small kitchen buzzed with warmth and life once more.

I tied on an apron, standing at the familiar yet distant stove.

In a daze, I almost saw my mother’s figure bustling here as if it were yesterday. After so many years, I could finally cook a meal again in the old house.

I drew in a deep breath, pushing back my emotions, focusing on recreating the tastes etched deep in memory.

Liyah was a perfect helper. She carefully carried each dish to the heavy wooden table.

The steaks sizzled and grilled to perfection. Soon to follow were the parmesan-crusted string beans and baked potatoes, topped with bacon, sour cream, and chives, which were mouth-watering. The grilled asparagus and sauteed mushrooms were the last to finish, but everything came together as it should.

Liyah finished up with the Caesar salad and fresh garlic bread, just as I was walking out the door with the dishes.

Before long, the table was laden with a feast fit for Christamas.

“Oh my goddess, Claire! You’ve been hiding this talent? I need to come to dinner more often!” Liyah’s eyes lit up at the sight, her voice full of wonder.

Carson gave a firm thumbs-up. “And the taste-fantastic! Ms. Reese, your cooking is the best I’ve had in a long time!”

Lucien said nothing. But his fork moved as if pulled by an invisible force, never pausing as it reached for.

As I watched the old house fill with laughter and the aroma of food, my heart brimmed with emotions.

During the three years with Liam, I had spent countless lonely afternoons in the kitchen.

Whenever I missed my parents or longed for the flavours of home, I would bury myself in recipes, cooking again and again until the taste matched my memories of my mother’s dishes.

Every dish on this table had once been my comfort against homesickness, the flavours of my childhood.

But Liam had never cared. He had always been indifferent, even faintly disdainful-he disliked the fresh flavours unique to my family’s way of cooking.

Yet now, Lucien-raised in the same world of luxury-ate them with boyish delight, savouring every bite.

The contrast was stark.

Liam had always seemed devoted, as if he held me carefully in his palm.

But in the end, his “concern” had been no more than a delicate sugar wrapping around emptiness. He had never truly let me into his heart.

Lucien, always seemed dismissive. Yet, he carried so much of me quietly in his thoughts.

“Have some more veggies!” I picked up the tongs and placed scoops of string beans and grilled asparagus with Parmesan onto his nearly empty plate.

“Here’s some more garlic bread, as well.” Take another slice and place it on the side.

My chest surged with gratitude I couldn’t put into words. The only way I knew how to express it was through action-my fork never stopped moving, piling one helping after another onto Lucien’s plate until a miniature mountain soon formed.

Lucien’s brows drew together as he stared at the overflowing plate before him.

“Claire, are you feeding a pig?”

“Pfft-hahaha…” Liyah, mid-bite of her medium-rare steak, nearly choked. She burst into thunderous laughter, tears streaming down her face.

I scratched my head sheepishly. “I just- I just wanted to thank you for your help earlier.”

Lucien lifted his gaze.

The next second, he suddenly leaned in, his arm reaching straight toward my face.

Thinking he was about to flick my forehead, I instinctively shrank back, eyes squeezed shut as I braced for the punishment.

But the expected tap never came. Instead, his fingertips brushed lightly across my cheek.

Startled, I opened my eyes-only to see that Lucien had already withdrawn his hand, pinching between his fingers a tiny piece of chive that had somehow stuck to my face.

“You’re a grown woman, yet you eat like a little greedy kitten.” He smiled.

My face flamed scarlet, even redder than before.

Liyah lowered her head, shovelling Caesar salad into her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried desperately to stifle her laughter.

Lucien, however, remained utterly composed.

He picked up a string bean, his brows knitting in mild distaste, and carefully examined it with practiced ease.

Just as I thought he was going to put it into his own mouth, he suddenly held the crusted string bean up to my lips instead.

“You’ve been busy all night, and I haven’t seen you eat much.”

The unexpected intimacy and care sent a rush of heat from my cheeks down to my neck.

Liyah could no longer contain herself. She clapped her hands together, egging us on.

“Wow! I’ve known Lucien for years, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen him offer to feed a woman! They say an Alpha only offers to feed a female if there is true love. Curious, don’t you think?”

I was flustered, mortified, and shot her a glare.

“Liyah! What nonsense are you spouting? We’re technically step-siblings-we’re not-” My embarrassment in the moment was fogging my brain.

“I already told you,” Lucien cut me off firmly, leaving no room for argument. “I’m not your brother.”