99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 32

My gaze fell on the neck of the man. He had no mate’s mark.

I’m not sure why I bothered to look, but I did, and what was even more curious was the feeling of relief I felt not finding one.

As I looked up, I met his cold and piercing blue eyes.

My heart raced wildly, almost skipping a beat. In his smirking gaze, I could tell he recognized me.

But in an instant, he scoffed, turning away with an icy indifference, as if he had never known me at all. He walked past me, expressionless, disappearing with his entourage at the end of the red carpet.

I watched him enter a VIP lounge of a furniture exhibition marked prominently with the name of Moonves, causing my heart to skip again.

Moonves was a high–end furniture brand established just five years ago, quickly capturing the youth market with its unique and exquisite designs. As a part–time designer for Moonves, I had created several bestsellers for the brand.

But I distinctly remembered that the owner I collaborated with had just returned from the US.

Why was Lucien here? Could he be the major shareholder behind Moonves?

A chill ran down my spine, and an indescribable feeling settled in my chest. Did Lucien know I was involved with this company? Surely if he did, he would have had me removed already.

A week ago, Moonves had sent me a formal offer to become their chief designer, offering a generous salary.

Day

I hadn’t responded yet. I couldn’t with everything I was enduring just to escape my horrible mating bond.

Though I had spent the last few years as a full–time housewife, I had refused to let myself be idle.

I had taken on multiple part–time jobs and had several options available to me; neither Liam nor the Sterling family knew how I filled my time, and that was with purpose. I needed my exit strategy to stay unknown. I have received numerous full–time advanced position offers due to my hard work, and I was still trying to determine which direction I wanted to take in my career.

However, if Lucien was indeed the hidden shareholder of Moonves, I wouldn’t hesitate to accept the offer.

It might provide me with more opportunities to mend our relationship.

After all, my primary goal after my rejection of Liam was officially approved in a few more days, was to find a way back into the Thorne packhouse and reclaim what was rightfully mine.

As I stood there lost in a daze, a familiar voice broke through my thoughts. My skin instantly began to crawl.

“Lee–Lee, let’s check out Moonves! They have this really soft bed that I love,” said a woman.

“Sure. But our own bed is fine too. Why do you have to-” Liam replied.

“Liam,” Breanne whined, and then turned her voice overly sweet, “Claire bought that bed. I don’t like it. I want to pick my own. Otherwise, it’ll feel weird sleeping in the bed your mate bought, don’t you think?”

A cold wave washed over me.

I turned in disbelief, catching sight of Breanne clinging to Liam’s arm, leading him toward the Moonves exhibit. Liam shook his head and allowed her to tug him along like a joyful lover would.

They were here, in broad daylight, shopping for beds together?

Better yet, they didn’t want the one I had picked out because it would make them feel uncomfortable.

I watched Liam and Breanne’s retreating figures, my mind racing through every interaction I had shared with them before. Every time Liam professed that they were innocent, I was reading too much into things and making their friendship seem wrong.

If my suspicions about their flirtation had been strong before, now I was utterly convinced there was something sinister between them.

I stood here, with literal proof that I wasn’t just being overlooked. I was being betrayed!

Frozen in place, I fought against the tremors coursing through my body, my eyes glued to the couple.

Breanne wore a red, strapless floral dress, laughing loudly and drawing attention as she playfully teased Liam, asking him to carry her and even lying on the display bed at Moonves.

They rolled around on the bed, giggling, with Liam playfully tickling Breanne. Breanne playfully pushes her to his side of the bed, as if they’ve got no reason to be ashamed.

The playful banter and laughter caught the attention of many onlookers, who shook their heads. at the audacity of today’s youth.

Most assumed they were a couple, but if anyone knew that Liam was a happily mated male behaving so shamelessly in public with his bestie, they would be shocked.

Struggling to suppress the urge to confront them, I found a hidden corner and recorded their inappropriate antics on my phone.

I had something else in mind for this little afternoon adventure for the two harmless besties.

I drove to Liyah’s place, needing to share what I had witnessed.

I was happy that Liyah didn’t live within her pack territory; she always said it was too restrictive with having her brothers always around, watching her every move. So she bought a nice condo in the city between our two packs.

When Liyah opened the door, still bleary–eyed, she welcomed me in before crawling back onto the sofa, stretching out under the comforts of her throw blanket.

“Claire, what’s up? What brings you here?”

Liyah’s voice was weak, and there was lingering smell of alcohol in the air. Her eyes were closed, but I knew she was listening, so I calmly recounted what I had just seen at the furniture exhibit only a few blocks from my new place.

Liyah, who had been half–asleep, suddenly sprang up like she had been jolted awake, her voice rising several octaves,

Those two are unbelievable! Claire, how can you stand it? If it were me, I would have shifted right then and there, clawing those two jerks to bits!”

Liyah was furious.

Yet I remained oddly calm. Feeling a bit hungry, I turned to Liyah’s fridge, pulling out a mango and a container of Greek yogurt.

After chopping the mango into pieces, I mixed it with the yogurt, dividing it into two portions and placing them on the dining table.

“You’re still in the mood to eat?” Liyah, now wide awake, looked at me in disbelief.

I picked up one portion, eating slowly as if nothing bothered me, “I won’t starve myself over them. I’ll eat well and then figure out how to deal with them. You can’t extract vengeance sickly, now can you?

“Hold on!” Liyah suddenly realized something, grabbing my hand with a shiver. “So they’re buying a bed, and they don’t want the one you chose. Is Breanne planning to move into your and Liam’s place?

“Yeah, it would seem that way. Although no one mentioned anything to me about it.” I replied with a bitter smile, ‘She really can’t wait any longer*

“It’s bad enough that Breanne is bullying you, but Liam is going along with it?” Liyah gasped. “If he really wants to be with her, why doesn’t he just be honest and accept your rejection request?”

“There are many things in this world that are hard to understand. Welcome to life in the Sterling Moon pack, Liyah.” I shrugged.

“I don’t get it. In public, he acts as if he is devoted to the bond, a happily mated male! But when he thinks no one is looking or would care, he’s sneaking around with Ursula from the deep sea of bitches? It’s so fake. It makes me sick!” Liyah was mad.

I smiled at the Ursula comment. Liyah was always so creative with her jabs.

“Liyah, I need you to help me get a hidden camera. The more high–tech, the better. I have a few days left, and if they are going to be disrespectful like this, then I am going to show the world who the real Sterling Alpha family is. I am going to destroy them by showing the world their dirty laundry.”

I took a deep breath, gritting my teeth and making up my mind.

“Sure, that’s easy! Since you won’t let me follow through with my envisioned plan of shifting and tearing them to shreds for you, I’ll make a call right now!”

Liyah pouted slightly, not because of my plan but because I don’t encourage the violence she wants

“Hold on! Liyah, I need one more favour.” I stopped Liyah from dialling. I sent the video I recorded at the furniture exhibition to Liyah’s phone. “Do you know someone able to promote this video online? I want it to go viral! I want everyone to see.”