99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 166

“You still haven’t told me who even arranged this deal.” I cornered her against the wall. “Breanne, do you really expect me to believe you could land a hundred-million-dollar contract alone? I want the truth, and I want it now!”

“It was-Matthew. The pack advisor of the Crown of Thornes pack.” Her lips trembled before the name finally escaped through clenched teeth.

The name struck me like a lightning bolt, jolting my entire body.

Why would a man like Matthew casually toss such a lucrative deal into Breanne’s lap and even propose deeper collaboration?

“How do you know him? What possible reason could he have for handing you this contract?” My gaze turned razor-sharp, carving into her.

“We met at a party,” Breanne stammered, “Mr. Scott was pleasant when we randomly met. We just hit it off.”

“Hit it off?” I lunged forward, my fingers twisting in her collar to yank her nose-to-nose.

“You are lying! You and I both know that your damn eyelashes always twitch when you lie! Start talking or get out of my pack!”

This entire situation sparked a terrible suspicion that tore through my chest.

Matthew, the Crown of Thornes’ second-in-command and Lucien’s most trusted Advisor, was whispered to wield even darker intent than his Alpha.

But eclipsing that was the man’s notorious predatory reputation with women.

Matthew was infamous for his depraved appetites, having devoured countless women, each encounter leaving deeper scars than the last. His perverse cravings were the kind that would make seasoned escorts shudder. Most are too afraid to raise their voices and file complaints with the Council for Matthews’ abusive acts.

Had Breanne dared venture into Matthew’s den of s****l torment of freewill?

Over a contract?

The white-hot agony crushed the air from my lungs and turned my vision crimson.

“No!!” Breanne screeched, thrashing wildly. “Liam, I swear it is not what you think!”

I ripped her collar in a brutal tug, and I saw a cluster of finger-shaped bruises in angry purples and sickly yellows around her throat.

My hands had moved before my mind could process the horror.

The shredded fabric exposed overlapping marks, some fresh and some fading, all unmistakably the work,

“Lies!” The roar erupted from my gut, as I wrenched her like a ragdoll, veins bulging at my temples. My wolf wanted to seize control, but I couldn’t allow that. Not against Breanne. “What the hell are these, then?”

“I scratched myself!” she wailed, thrashing like a netted songbird.

“Fine! Just perfect!” My fury twisted into a mirthless laugh as the last shred of my restraint snapped and my wolf seized control over my body.

Whirling around, I snatched a clothes hanger from the closet with white-knuckled fury.

“Still lying to us, w***e? I will beat the truth out of you! What did I teach you all these years? No dating before you found your mate, and absolutely no sleeping around! Do you not care about our pack’s image? Did everything I said go in one ear and out the other?”

Before the echoes of my growls faded, the hanger came whistling down with brutal force.

“Liam! Stop! Please stop!”

Stumbling in through the door in sheer panic, my mother’s blood ran cold at the sound of Breanne’s screams. She froze in horror at the sight.

“Dear Goddess! Liam! Have you lost your mind? She is family! Stop this instant!” My mother shrieked, lunging forward to shield Breanne.

I couldn’t believe it, as I nodded enthusiastically.

“This changes everything, father! When Claire hears how you value her now, she will come back! Mates are forever, after all.”

For three long years, how many times had Claire lingered before bridal shop windows, painting vivid fantasies of her dream mating ceremonies? Back then, I had only fobbed her off with weak excuses, as my parents outright refused to allow it.

But now my father was willing to approve her for a lavish ceremony and the proper title of Luna, like she deserved. How could her heart not be swayed? What did it matter how perfect Lucien Thorne was? Their stars would never align, and Claire would only ever be my Luna, not his.

My dark mood lifted like morning fog as I strode out the door.

I yanked my phone out and speed-dialled my Gamma. “Soren! Where is Claire right now?”

“Alpha…” Gamma Soren’s sleep-slurred voice dripped with hesitation over the line. “Ms. Reese is still in Calgary, having midnight snacks with Alpha Thorne and Ms. Cruz.”

I could hear him texting to confirm with the warrior I assigned to watch over her while in Calgary.

“What? It is past midnight!” My voice shattered the quiet with ridiculous fury. “Has she given up on watching her figure? She doesn’t have a wolf to burn these extra calories and inches off her waistline if she keeps this rebellious lifestyle up! Get the car now! We are driving to Calgary!”

“Alpha, we just returned from Calgary this afternoon-”

“If she gains weight and cannot fit into her Luna gown, will you take responsibility for that?!” I snarled, slamming the phone down before Soren could protest.

I refused to have a heavy Luna. Claire knows how I feel about her figure; why would she risk me no longer finding her attractive?