99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 148

“Who I fall for from the moment the council approved our rejection is none of your business!” I snapped back, “Get this through your thick head, Liam-You are my ex-mate! There is no more connection, and I never want one in the future. We are done!”

At my words, Liam curled in pain.

It felt like a blade pierced through his heart at the thought of me maybe loving someone else. But I also knew that it wasn’t because he loved me; it was that he wanted to possess me.

He didn’t want to lose to Lucien. It was starting to feel like I was in a tug of war between the two, but neither really wanted me as a person, just as the trophy to flash in front of the other.

“Claire, I understand I failed you, and you can like whomever you choose,” He lifted his head sharply, eyes bloodshot, gripping my shoulders tightly.

“Anyone but Lucien! He is nothing but a volatile, twisted tyrant! If he treats you well, it’s all an act! He’s just toying with your feelings, Claire. Someone like him will never accept someone like you as his mate. You have to see that it’s all just a game to him. He’ll never truly forgive you!”

My heart sank as I was reminded of the words Lucien casually spoke back at the house.

Understanding that he was just using me to hurt Liam hurt me. I was foolish to believe there was something there.

Lucien’s unfathomable coldness flashed in my mind once more, the smirk on his face when he looked at Liam, and then over to me.

I knew better than anyone that even if there was warmth, it might only be the residue of childhood sibling-like affection, despite his dislike for the reference out loud.

I lowered my head, silently clenching my fists.

Seeing my silence, Liam must have mistook it for doubt. Next thing I knew, tears welled in his eyes, his voice trembling with desperate pleading.

“Claire, he doesn’t love you! No one loves you, except me. I have always loved you, Claire. I know I was a jerk before; I couldn’t see straight with Breanne in the way. This allowed her to hurt you, but it won’t happen again. I know better now. When I accepted you as my mate, even when the pack and my family were against it, I expected to grow old with you! My heart never-”

“Enough!” I cut him off sharply, my voice piercing, dripping with disgust.

I wrenched my arms free and stood abruptly. I looked down at the haggard man in the bed with a clear, sharp gaze-all traces of my past attachment gone.

“Liam, enough with the cheap lines and tricks. I’m not the silly, naive girl who swoons over a few love words anymore. Your actions killed her, and she will never return.”

I stepped back, creating a safe distance, my tone decisive.

“If you keep speaking, I will walk out immediately!”

My words hit Liam like a bucket of freezing water, dousing him completely.

He crumpled instantly, the fury and pleading that had surged moments ago gone as if they never existed.

A violent fit of coughing tore through him, forcing him to curl up in pain, as if he were trying to expel his very organs.

Liam’s Gamma, Soren, hurried forward, attempting to pat his back, but Liam violently pushed him away.

I furrowed my brows, watching his pitiful state.

I said nothing. Quietly, I walked to the water dispenser, poured half a cup of warm water, and returned to the bedside, holding it out to him.

Liam lifted his bloodshot eyes but did not take the cup. Instead, like a drowning man clutching a lifeline, he grabbed my wrist, holding the glass.

“Let go, Liam.” My voice was devoid of any fluctuation.

“No!” he rasped, shouting hoarsely. “Claire, tell me-how can I let go? Why should I let go? You are mine! You’ll always be mine!”

With a frustrated growl, “Liam, you really are hopeless! It’s a wonder you haven’t doomed the pack entirely yet!”

I struggled to pull my hand free. The cup wobbled violently, spilling warm water onto the pristine bedsheet and his pale hand.

“It’s true, Claire. I am insane! I lost you because I’m insane!” he growled, his knuckles white as he held me. “I admit it! I’m a piece of trash, and I deserve to be alone! Those moments with Breanne-they were my biggest mistake! Everything I did was wrong! But my heart belongs to you, Claire.”

He pounded his chest in anguish, the dull thuds echoing in the room. “Tell me! What must I do for you to believe that I am so sorry for what I did?”

Watching his hysterical display, I felt no sympathy. Only a heavy exhaustion and a visceral disgust welled up inside me. This was just another performance, another game to gain sympathy, but I was all out of give- a-f***s!

I no longer struggled. Instead, I looked at him with naked disdain.

“Gamma Soren!” I barked suddenly, my gaze turning to the flustered assistant.

“Yes! Mrs… Ms. Reese!” Soren flinched, hurriedly correcting himself.

“Watch him. If he doesn’t calm down, notify the doctor to administer a sedative. I’m leaving. Do not call me again.”

Before Soren could respond, I suddenly flung my hand wildly.

Liam was caught entirely off guard. The grip that had held me snapped free in an instant.

Clang-

The cup slipped from my hand, smashing onto the floor. Glass and water splashed everywhere. I didn’t even glance at Liam’s frozen, paper-white face, nor at the chaos on the floor. I turned and walked away.

“Claire-”

A heart-wrenching scream made the hair on the back of my neck stand. Liam struggled to lunge from the bed but was held firmly by Soren.

“Alpha, you need to calm down! Doctor! Call the doctor!” Soren’s anxious shouts echoed through the room.

My footsteps didn’t falter-they grew quicker.

I pushed open the hospital door, cutting off the suffocating hell behind me completely.

The cold corridor lights washed over my face. I drew a deep breath, trying to suppress the nausea churning in my throat.

Exhaustion hit like a tidal wave. Rubbing my throbbing brow, I quickly called an Uber and, almost fleeing, strode away from the hospital.