99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 36

“What? Show me!” Liyah was excited.

I pulled out my phone and shared the video I had recorded.

Liyah’s eyes widened with a gasp, “No way!”

“Their reputation is far from ruined. I’m going to nail the Sterling family to the wall and make sure the whole city knows! The best part is, they coddle Breanna so much, yet it is with her recorded confessions that they will all become spectacles amongst their peers and the council.“I smirked.

“Oh my Goddes, Claire–bear. This is going to be incredible!” Liyah clapped her hands in excited approval.

Finally, the weight on my chest began to lift, and the pain in my back eased.

We cuddled together on the large sofa as we laughed and discussed our plans, paying little regard to the creeping morning light.

If it weren’t for Liyah’s phone constantly ringing, we probably would have slept well through the day.

With a groan, Liyah continued to send the calls to voicemail. We both knew it was Liam. My phone was turned off, and Liam would know I’d most likely be with Liyah.

I rubbed my sleepy eyes. “Just answer it. He probably knows we’re together.”

“Liam, what do you want?” Liyah shouted. “You’re suddenly concerned about Claire? Where was that concern when she left? Now you can play games with Breanne without anyone bothering you!”

“Let Claire talk to me,” he said, his voice low.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you, Liam. So stop calling! Instead, maybe Google your name online, you might be interested in what the world thinks of you and your bestie right now!”

Liyah hung up and turned off her phone, and turned to me with a smirk.

“Let’s watch the drama unfold, Claire–bear!”

***LIAM POV***

I knew I had hurt Claire, yet again.

If I didn’t see it through her misting eyes and limping body, it was clear when even William rushed over to help her steady herself. The f*****g Omega who cleaned the damn house registered that I screwed up before I did.

I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just wanted the fighting to stop.

I didn’t even realize how out of hand things got until Claire walked into the room. I felt ashamed of myself, but what could I say or do to justify it?

I was driving around the entire pack territory in search of Claire.

I checked every place Claire might go and asked all her friends, but couldn’t find her.

It was also clear that Claire didn’t spend much time with any of these girls from our pack.

Liyah was the first person I called after I realized it was likely Claire had no actual friends here.

In desperation, I called over a dozen times, and I would have continued to do so until Liyah answered,

As quickly as it was confirmed to me that Claire was most likely there, Liyah hung up. But what was most puzzling was what Liyah said before she hung up.

Curious, I opened my chat app and found an overwhelming number of messages.

I don’t even remember muting my chat messages last night.

Gamma Soren: Liam, check online! The video of you and Ms. Telder rolling in bed is blowing up everywhere.

Beta Cole: Liam, I’ve tried deleting the posts, but it isn’t helping at all. Comments have overrun our official pack site linked to the Council!

Delta Parker: Dude, what’s going on with you and Breanne? I had a feeling you were hiding something, because you two look pretty close to just being friends. Ha–ha!

Countless messages flooded in from friends, pack members, and even fellow Alpha heirs, mocking me.

I never expected that our innocent outing to buy a bed would be plastered all over the internet. Hundreds of people were branding Breanne as a homewrecker and a filthy mistress who the council should punish for interfering with the Goddess’s mate matches.

What was I missing? Does my relationship with Breanne really cross lines with mate bonds?

I needed to find Claire. I needed to explain that I didn’t mean to cross any lines, and I would be a better mate moving forward, but then my phone rang.

My father,

“Get home right now!” My father’s serious voice echoed through the line.

My heart sank.

This was the first time I had ever heard such a stern tone directed towards me.

“Alright,” I replied, urgency creeping into my voice.

I rushed back to the packhouse.

When I arrived, I was surprised to find that Breanne was also there, and sitting across from my parents.

Her eyes were tearful and puffy, her face pale, as if she had been crying. She looked utterly pitiful.

Upon seeing me, Breanne started to rise, but my mother shot her a warning growl, causing her to sit back down with her head bowed.

“Mum, Dad, why did you call me back?” I asked, trying to keep my composure.

In response, my father slammed his hand on the table.

“Why did I call you back? Why? You two idiots are adults. How could you behave like this in public? The entire wolf community is laughing at the Sterling Moon pack. Now tell me, how are we going to fix this?”

My heart raced.

I had always been the pride of my parents, a role model among my peers, and a standard for my pack members.

This was the first time I felt the sting of public ridicule.

I felt wronged, confused, and innocent. How could mine and Breanne’s relationship be portrayed so poorly online?

Breanne pouted, her voice shaky, “We’ve always been close. You know that, what did we do wrong?

My heart clenched for Breanne and her innocent words. My mother hurriedly patted her back. “Of course, we know you two are fine, but the outside world doesn’t see it that way. We’ve received dozens of calls all morning, asking about your situation with Liam. What are we going to do? The worst part is that tomorrow is Henry’s 60th birthday. We’ve been preparing for this for a year.”

I frowned, knowing my father was extremely concerned about appearances.

His 60th birthday celebration was supposed to be a grand event for the Sterling Moon pack. We had been planning for a year, from selecting the venue to creating the guest list and coordinating everyone’s outfits. All of the Alphas and their units from alliance packs would be in attendance, as well as the Wolfen Council panel.

Now, just when we were on the brink of celebration, rumours about my and Breanne’s relationship had erupted, justifying my father’s anger.

“Father, I’ve already contacted the PR department to remove all the negative posts as quickly as possible to prevent this from affecting the birthday celebration.” I thought for a moment and finally said.

My father took a sip of coffee, his expression calm.

“That’s just a temporary fix. You should discuss it with Claire. On my 60th birthday, let her publicly clarify the nature of your relationship with Breanne. The rumours will only calm down if your mate clarifies that things between you and Breanne are just friendly and nothing more.”

Claire?

As my mate, it made sense for her to step in–but given her current attitude towards me, would she even agree to help?

I furrowed my brow, remaining silent.

How was I going to explain what happened earlier with Claire walking in on Breanne and me to my parents?

Breanne quickly chimed in, “Alpha Henry, you’re right! If Claire explains things, no one will say anything further.”

Following Breanne, my mother nodded vigorously. “Exactly! Let her clarify it. Then you can toast all the guests together. This will blow over!”

With a sigh, I slowly began to agree.

In the end, I felt that only Claire could smooth over this chaos.

I stood to leave, and I noticed that Breanne did the same. I shook my head at her.

“Breanne, you should stay here for the next couple of days. Don’t come to the house. We don’t want her to see you and get upset.”

Breanne pouted, protesting, “But, Lee–Lee-”

To buts! If you don’t want anything to go wrong during my father’s birthday celebration, you’ll do as I say!” My expression hardened

I shot her a cold glance before turning to leave without another word.

On my way back, I stopped by a bakery to buy Claire’s favourite tiramisu and a bouquet of flowers. I needed everything to go smoothly, my parents were counting on me.