99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 16

There was a collective murmur that swept through the crowd. Everyone was singing their praises for Breanne and how kind–hearted she was towards me, the unloved and forgotten mate.

It reinforced the narrative that Breanne and Liam were already better suited for one another.

“My Goddess, Breanne came here like this just to bring a gift?”

“It’s incredible how much respect she shows Claire -she’s still on an IV!”

“She’s so thoughtful. She didn’t have to come herself!”

The wave of admiration was cut short when Breanne stumbled violently forward as she tried to limp her way towards me. Her body was hunched, displaying the image of a weak yet determined person. It fed the rumours that I was unkind and she was continuously trying to appease me. As she stumbled again, a rush of gasps erupted as she nearly collapsed.

“Breanne! Please be careful!” A few people called out in panic.

Before anyone could react, a blur of movement shot past me.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was, but sure enough, there he was.

Liam reached Breanne just as her knees buckled, catching her willow–thin frame against his chest. He held her tight, too tight for a man who had his mate mere feet from him, watching this entire display of concerned affection.

“Liam,” She trembled weakly in his arms. “I came to give Claire her present,” she wheezed. Her big, misty doe eyes looked up at him, causing his breath to hitch when he met them.

How was no one else seeing this?

Why did he fight so hard against rejection?

Liam’s pale face contorted with genuine anguish. His hand gently tucked the hair behind her ear, taking it back from his delicate face.

“This is madness, Bree–Bree! The doctors said bed rest. Why do you always push yourself like this?” His tone was a trembling whisper.

“As long as you’re happy with Claire, Liam. Nothing else matters to me but you being happy.”

Breanne’s adoring gaze bored into him as if trying to brand his features into her retina.

I observed the scene, my hands clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white as ice.

“What I tender moment between forbidden lovers,“A cold laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head.

I knew a few heard. I saw a few mates move closer to one another. Surely, they understood how this must have felt for a mate to embrace another in front of them openly.

Yet, no one addressed it. They all watched in silence.

After steadying Breanne, Liam turned to me.

“Take the gift,” he urged, his arm tightening protectively around Breanne’s shoulders. “See how much our Breanne cares about you?”

The ballroom held its breath at Liam’s words.

I saw Beta Cole standing nearby, watching everything with a straight face.

He was watching me closely. I wasn’t entirely sure, but I suspected he was expecting me to attack Breanne. If that happened, I was sure he would intervene and protect Breanne, just like Liam and the rest of his Alpha unit.

Has this never raised questions for anyone? The Alpha unit instinctually protected Liam and Breanne, but I was on my own.

Always on my own, yet unable to free myself from the shackles of this horrible mating match.

Everyone knew about the tension between me and Breanne, though public opinion favoured Breanne, the celebrated socialite famous for donating her sixteenth birthday fund to a stray cat sanctuary. Her unfailing politeness toward me made the latter seem cold and ungrateful by comparison.

Thank you. It’s very thoughtful of you to come all this way, Breanne.” I accepted the mahogany box with stiff fingers.

I watched Liam exhale in relief that I hadn’t made a scene, and then a smile grew on Breanne’s face, her eyes darkening, telling me there was more to this.

Breanne suddenly rushed towards me, her thin arms wrapping around me. Her hold was tight, telling me what I already knew.

“I made this from something that was yours. I think once you see it, you’ll understand just how much I care.” Her whisper, cold and intimate, slithered into my ear.

A shoved Breanne away, only for Liam to frown at me as he stepped forward and caught Breanne once again.

I ignored his disapproving expression and stared at the ornate box–its slightly raised lid and unnerving weight making my skin crawl.

When I lifted the lid, my body ran cold.

No! No one would be this heartless to gift another female something like this. My hands trembled.

Every emotion ran forward. Angry. Sadness. Heartbreak. Wrath. Grief. Pain. Vengeance.

The box slipped from my grasp, and the contents rolled into view.

Seeing its form staring up at me, my heart stopped.

I heard someone from the crowd gasp at the sight. I knew someone else recognized the symbolism of it, but they just wouldn’t understand why it was gifted to me. As far as I was aware, no one knew, and that was because Liam was convinced I was nothing but a liar on the matter. Why would he tell others about it? It would affect his image in relation.

Either way, it isn’t a gift you gave another female. Not ever.

For Breanne to gift it told me, she knew it was true. She was happy about it.