99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 30

The next day was bright and sunny.

I decided I needed to go to Jasper at first light. It was the same place that Liam and I had once hiked together.

I remember I told him I hadn’t been there since my father’s passing, and Liam thought it was time to face those past traumas and fears.

He was right. I felt closer to my dad in those moments, and because of that, I felt closer to Liam for helping me through it.

Jasper was known as one of the most beautiful places in Canada for a reason. It felt more wholesome and real, less touristy than Banff. You couldn’t help but feel one with nature the moment you stepped out of the car and took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air.

I was in the same place that Liam and I went. Maligne Canyon.

Many shifter couples believed that the rushing canyon was the Goddess’s way of driving away their conflict; she was reminding them that they may fight against the rushing currents on their own, but they would never be able to cross through them unless they remembered that only love and a commitment to resolution could build a bridge.

When Liam told me this story, I was mesmerized, one might even suggest enchanted by his words. But here I was again, the bridge was dismantled. Liam had his side, and I had my own. Breanne and his family were the treacherous current between us.

That was why nearly everyone hiking up the trail to the canyon was a pair of love–struck couples. Only I had come alone.

I remembered the first time I came here with Liam–it was the month after he had finally noticed my existence in his presence.

When I grew tired on the way up, Liam immediately carried me on his back. He said an Alpha should always carry his mate. I should never have to stress, strain or worry when he is by my side. It was at the third bridge of the hike that I said I was thirsty. Liam took a mouthful of spring water and leaned in to feed it to me. It was confusing at first as to why he chose to do it, but just like that, he stole my first kiss.

As I reminisced, I slowly made my way along the trail.

The main reason I was here was to retrieve the locket.

Liam read somewhere that when two mates, destined by the Goddess to be together, find one another, a tribute should be given as gratitude for the blessing.

Liam bought a heart locket, inside which was a picture of each of us on either side. He planned to give it as an offering. He had deliberately chosen the tallest and most hidden tree, while still being along the marked trail, so we could find it again when we returned.

“When we’re old with grandchildren,” he’d vowed, “we’ll bring them here to see our love.”

I stood beneath the tree as sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light on my face.

I thought of Liam’s eyes back then–brighter than the stars.

His words still echoed in my ears, but we would never have that future with children and grandchildren now.

With a quiet smile, I exhaled softly and got to work. It took me a tremendous amount of effort to reach it. I am no tree climber, and my height is nothing to brag about, but I yanked down our gleaming lock and hurled it over the cliff into the rushing waters, otherwise dubbed bestie and mommy dearest.

I closed my eyes, with my head tilted to the sky for the Goddess herself to hear my words.

Goodbye, Liam. May our hearts never beat as one again.”

LIAM POV

I spent the night in the packhouse and was currently sitting in Breanne’s bedroom.

I saw it was already getting well into the evening again. I knew I should head home.

I looked over and Breanne lay frowning on the bed, her face was stained with the dried tears she was still working through. Claire really hurt her this time, and I couldn’t leave her in this state. Not until I knew she was better.

“Lee–Lee, I feel awful. My throat hurts. Can you feed me some water?” Breanne murmured softly.

I frowned at once. She was a Beta female and should be stronger than she was most of the time, but this was more emotional than physical.

I picked up a glass of warm water and gently spoon–fed it to her, one mouthful at a time.

Breanne, despite being half asleep, refused to let go of my hand. Whenever I tried to get up to leave, she would say that she needed me, and I would get sucked right back in again.

Seeing her in pain hurt me.

Her weakness always stirred a deep desire in me to protect her, to hold her carefully, and to cherish her. I often thought we would be mates growing up; she was always so incredibly perfect for me.

Even though we didn’t end up as mates, I would keep my promise to protect her, always.

“Lee–Lee, will you stay with me? My whole body aches. I feel so awful.” Breanne’s voice was faint, pleading for my company.

“I will never leave you, Brea–Brea,” My tone softened unconsciously.

I knew we should still be using our cute childhood nicknames; it was too intimate. But I didn’t understand why I could never refuse Breanne. My heart always softened for her, and I was willing to do anything for her. Even when I knew I should say no, or remind her that I am a happily mated male. Well, maybe not happily at the moment, but mated, regardless.

Breanne pouted, but she quieted down obediently. “Just lie with me till I sleep, Lee–Lee. You make me feel safe.”

“Alright. I’ll stay.” After I spoke, I sat quietly by the bed, watching over Breanne.

The vibration of my phone made me shift slightly.

Seeing that Breanne was already asleep, I carefully eased her head back onto the pillow, gently tucked the blanket around her, and only then did I get up and walk to the window to answer the call.

“Speak.”

“Claire drove to Jasper at dawn. She went to the Maligne Canyon hiking trail today. She stayed there for about four hours. She drove from Jasper back towards the pack, but instead stayed in the neutral territory between our pack and the Crown of Thornes, as well as the Blue Dawns pack.”

My Gamma, Soren, reported the surveillance details truthfully,

“She arrived just after 7 pm and drove straight to a residential area called Pinecrest Villas. It’s a newly developed complex in the new district with tight security–my people asked, and only residents are allowed in. Many Elite members own private homes there. We do not.”

I listened, sensing something was off.

The Maligne Canyons and now Pinecrest Villas… why would she go to two completely unrelated places like that?

My eyes darkened, “That time she withdrew one million in cash–where did that money go?”

“Claire took it out in cash. We don’t know what she used the money for as of yet,” Soren answered.

“Alright. Keep having her watched,” I ordered.

“Understood,” Soren replied.

After hanging up, the flicker of desire I had felt earlier was completely gone.

Claire’s recent behaviour had been so strange, I couldn’t figure her out at all. I had no idea what she was planning, and it frustrated me.

Just then, a soft hand snaked around my waist.

Too intimate, my wolf growled within. He was growing tired of the distance between us and our mate, and wanted me to pull back from Breanne, but I couldn’t do that. I just needed to remind her of our established boundaries again. That’s all.

“Liam, who were you talking to? When you’re with me, Claire shouldn’t matter? Didn’t you always say I matter most to you?”

The next moment, Breanne leaned against my back.

I stiffened.

I quickly pulled Breanne off my back and put her back in bed.

My expression was serious. “I’ve told you before–we’re grown up now. We can’t be so casually intimate like we were when we were pups.”

Breanne tried to act cute, pouting and mustering some tears, but I turned and walked away with a cold face.

I needed to figure out what Claire was up to.