99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 167

Claire POV

The midnight snack street pulsed with neon radiance even in the wee hours, glowing as bright as midday. On the rooftop terrace of a barbecue joint, meticulously arranged for the occasion, a cool night breeze danced through the air.

Obviously, I had never been here before, but both Liyah and Lucien swear by the quality of food and the view from the rooftop.

Looking around, it was a beautiful view over the hustle of the streets as couples and groups of friends laugh and chit-chat on the sidewalks below as they leave bars and clubs.

This was somewhere I could see myself coming back to, if given the opportunity again. I never got to experience these types of things with Liam. He was almost image-conscious.

You weren’t out this late, for starters. Secondly, women were expected to maintain their physical appearances at all times. Liam believed that since I didn’t have a wolf to increase my metabolism, I had to dine out only whenever necessary. Typically, that was during events he was forced to attend. Even then, he was the one to decide what went on my plate.

Lucien, Liyah and I sat around the long central table.

At the entrance, watchful warriors from Luciens’ pack stood sentry with hawk-like vigilance. Lyah chattered away like an excited child, flipping noisily through the menu with restless energy.

She ordered without hesitation, checking off extravagant barbecue items one after another.

I watched with growing concern and discreetly tugged at Liyah’s sleeve.

“Liyah, that is enough. There are only three of us. How could we possibly finish all this?”

“What? This is nothing! Besides, Alpha Lucien is loaded; this is merely pocket change for him.” Liyah suddenly caught herself mid-order, then shot me a devilish glance, her lips curling into a wicked grin. “Oh, I get it now. Claire, you are already worrying about Alpha Lucien’s wallet, aren’t you?”

I had felt guilty about our lavish spending after everything Lucien had already done for me, but Liyah’s teasing instantly set my ears aflame.

“Liyah, I don’t know what you are even talking about.”

Liyah burst into laughter, thumping the table in amusement. “Your face is bright red! Admit it, you totally are!” She deliberately turned to Lucien, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “What do you think, Alpha?”

Lucien sat composed, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass. A ghost of a smirk curled his lips as he teased, “Claire has always been thoughtful. She knows exactly how to consider my feelings.”

My pulse quickened at his words.

Sneaking a glance at Lucien, I found myself trapped in the dark intensity of his gaze. My grandmother’s mention of our childhood betrothal still lingered, making our interaction feel awkward.

I fumbled for my phone, pretending to scroll. Lucien, however, noticed every nervous gesture.

He absentmindedly rotated the watch he always wore, his gaze revealing something unfamiliar as he did, stirring something in my chest.

I was noticing more often than not that the famously temperamental Lucien Thorne had become remarkably calm and patient with me, and by extension, Liyah and the others around him.

When he spoke to people around him, if I were there, he was less likely to have any outbursts or violent tendencies. Unless they were bullying me or Bart, that is.

After what grandmother revealed to us, I found myself wondering if she was right. Did the Goddess guide us back to one another when the time was right and we were both ready to accept the truth around us?

Soon, Liyah’s lavish barbecue order arrived, covering the long table. The three of us enjoyed the uniquely flavoured dishes and draft beers until we were slightly drunk.

Liyah rested her chin on her hands, her knowing smile never fading as she watched over mine and Lucien’s interactions with one another. Just then, her brother, and Lucien’s Beta, Ethan, appeared at the rooftop entrance.

But Ethan seemed deaf to the warning. “Claire just escaped one failed mate bond. She needs time to heal. Knowing her, she is focused entirely on rebuilding her career right now. Romance is not even on her radar.

Isn’t that right, Claire?”

My breath hitched as I met Beta Ethan’s gaze. The intensity burning in his eyes sent shivers down my spine.

What on earth was happening? Since when had he looked at me like this?

A tremor ran through me as I forcibly cut off that train of thought. What the heck was going on in my life right now?

I wanted to crawl under the table and hide from the pressures now coming at me from all directions.

Meanwhile, Liyah stared at her brother’s uncharacteristic outburst as her expression revealed the realization dawning on her. She sprang to her feet and gave Ethan’s shoulder a stinging slap.

“Since when did you become such an expert on my Claire-bear? Oh my Goddess, do not tell me you have feelings for her too?”

The moment Liyah blurted this out, Beta Ethan’s ears burned red. Lucien’s gaze instantly turned piercing, like twin ice daggers shooting straight at his Beta. My mind went staticky, everything blanking out for a split second.

Fragments of overlooked memories suddenly clicked into place. All those times the bottled water appeared when I was parched, the pillow shoved into my arms when exhaustion hit, the fresh orange juice during boozy nights, Ethan had been quietly watching over me all along.

I had never noticed, not until this very moment, when the burning intensity in Ethan’s eyes revealed everything.

Flustered, I ducked my head, nervously twisting my fingers. But before I could process anything further, a pair of warm hands swept in like a whirlwind, pulling me forcefully against a firm chest.