99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 31

After finishing my hike in Banff, I decided to head back to my new apartment.

I had no intentions of actually spending the evening there, but after unpacking and picturing what my new life might look like, I ordered pizza.

It was incredible to be able to order the topics I liked and not have to push my wants aside because Liam was a picky eater.

After eating, I unwind with some wine on my new balcony from the back of the house, and l get sleepy.

It wasn’t the most comfortable sleep. I definitely need to get furniture for my new home quickly, but it was still a lot more peaceful to sleep than I had been getting at home.

I ate the leftover pizza from last night, and it was just after ten am when I decided to head back to the house I still shared with Liam. To be honest, I doubt he even noticed I was gone, still fussing over poor helpless Breanne.

Just as I stepped out, Liyah texted me, informing me that all trending searches and photos related to Breanne had been removed.

The Sterling family issued a grand announcement on their website, claiming that all the photos were generated using Al. They then stated that this drama had severely damaged their reputation, and any further unauthorized postings would result in legal action from their lawyers.

I doubt it actually had any effect on their pack image.

Technically, Breanne wasn’t even a member of the Sterling family, yet they defended her fiercely.

While I, the true mate to the heir of the pack, have been the Sterling family’s daughter-in-law for three years, I have never once received an ounce of protection.

I allowed myself a brief moment to reflect on the bitterness growing within me directed at the Sterlings, and then I felt a sense of release.

I knew my plans, and needed to allow myself to feel the pain they inflicted to store it for later when I ruin them in the end. By allowing myself to process it now, I won’t feel the attachment later.

As I drove out of the community gate, I caught sight of a bustling furniture exhibition taking place in a nearby square.

What a coincidence, I needed furniture for my new place. One might call this serendipitous, and then I saw the big sign advertisement and realized it was actually another kick in the teeth from the Goddess above.

The massive advertisement at the entrance, featuring the shining words of Reese Group.

The Reese Group was the furniture industry leader, founded by my father, Sean.

This should have been my rightful inheritance. I was the legitimate heiress. But now, I could only watch from afar like a stranger.

Without thinking, I began walking toward the furniture exhibition hall.

From a distance, I spotted my cousin Bob Reese and my second cousin Jack Reese directing a group of workers amidst the chaos.

As if they had the right to stand there as heads of the company, their parents stole right from under me.

Although they may have matured over the years, and their appearances have changed, l would never forget their viciousness.

I would never forget the beating Bob gave six-year-old me when I tried to stand tall and defend what was mine. And I would never forget the vicious slaps and crude insults from Jack when I held my mother while she crumbled, pleaded and cried.

At that moment, with my enemies right before me, I could only tell myself to endure, to hold back, and to be patient.

I wasn’t strong enough yet to reclaim what was rightfully mine. But I will be. Someday, I would take it all back.

Because I had found my mate and thought my life was going to change for the better, I allowed myself to nearly forget all about the grudges I once carried on my sleeve.

Fortunately, I realized in time that it was not too late to repair the situation. I simply added more names to the list of people who deserve their own vengeance.

I stood still, staring at two who would once claim to be family but were now my enemies.! turned to leave. I had others to take care of first, but as I did, I felt a hard shove from someone behind me.

I managed to steady myself amidst the crowd of wolfen people gathering and saw that the central aisle of the vast exhibition hall was being cleared by a swarm of Elite warriors, leaving a narrow path.

But I had once seen his warm and gentle side.

Only I knew why he had transformed from a gentle young man into what he was now.

Lost in my memories, I suddenly heard the crowd gasp.

“It’s really the mysterious Alpha Lucien Thorne!

Let’s get away from here. I don’t want to cross him!” shouted the females to my side.

Without needing the elite warriors to disperse them, the crowd that had gathered to watch quickly scattered, as if fleeing a plague.

I didn’t retreat. I stood my ground, quietly watching the tall, dark figure striding towards me.

After years apart, he seemed taller and leaner, dressed in a tobacco-gray linen shirt, black pants, and shoes, one hand in his pocket.

Surrounded by warriors, he walked forward, his thin lips curling into a devilish smirk, surveying the noisy crowd with an air of elegance mixed with a chilling intensity.

I had once feared him above all others, wishing nothing more than to never see him again. But now, having endured the invisible hell of mating, I found myself unafraid

My most important possession was still in his hands, and to get it back, I had to overcome my past fears and find a way to approach him.

At that moment, he passed right by me.

Instinctively, I whispered, “Lucien, is this you?”