99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 43

WOAH, HAPPPPPPY REJECTION!!!” A cheer broke out as soon as I stepped into the room.

“Let’s screen the next one better, Claire–bear!”

“Cheers to your freedom! Remember, you don’t need a warm body by your side when you have the tropics to visit in the winter. Wave goodbye to the loser who didn’t see the diamond he traded away for fool’s gold.”

Inside the luxurious private room within the hottest Shifter Nightclub of the city, everything was perfectly arranged.

Liyah’s eldest brother, Ethan, had booked the room; her second brother, Kian, brought flowers and banners; her third brother, Evan covered all the drinks; her fourth brother, Marcos ordered a towering seven–layer cake; her fifth brother, Levis secured a luxury suite and spa package for me; and her sixth brother, Phelan was on karaoke duty, singing to keep the energy up:

It’s been too long since I felt included and seen.

I honestly missed seeing all of these guys.

Ethan and Kian were always around because they held rank within the Crown of Throne pack, but the remaining four were often off on some adventure or expedition of some sort.

Liyah, I knew, was jealous, but as the only daughter of the retired Beta Cruz and the youngest, she had to stay where she could be seen at all times.

I grabbed a bottle of locally crafted beer from the table, raised it for a toast, and downed it in one go.

“Awesome!” Liyah chanted.

All the pent–up emotions I had been holding back for so long were finally released at that moment.

From now on, I wouldn’t allow myself to be dominated by a male looking to conquer and stray; I wouldn’t sacrifice parts of myself to please another.

I drank several bottles of beer as Liyah and her brothers took turns toasting me, and I welcomed every drink offered.

I wish I had siblings. Being an only child was depressing. I imagine that having protective older siblings would have made my life easier than it has been, as I’ve struggled all on my own.

I continued to drink away my emotions, the alcohol feeding my depressive thoughts, making me feel drowsy as I leaned back on the sofa, my eyelids growing heavy.

“We, the Reese brothers, have six sons, and we finally got a precious girl! She’s not just the princess of Sean, she’s our little princess, too!” Uncle Oscar announced proudly.

“Claire, I bought this toy castle for you. As long as I’m around, you’ll always be a princess!” my eldest cousin stated with a smile.

“Uncle Sean only has one daughter. One day, Claire will be the chairwoman of the Reese Group. We six brothers will be her loyal followers. Whatever she wants, we’ll do it!” Another cousin professed.

“Don’t worry, Claire. With six brothers around, you’ll never suffer a bit.”

After this, the energy of this dream began to change. Dark storm clouds began to roll in, the air felt heavy, and my limbs felt like lead.

I looked to my cousins for help. My arm reached out, desperate for one to pull me close and keep me safe.

*Claire, we only spoiled you because Uncle Sean made us. Do you really think you’re a princess? Pfft! With him gone, you’re nothing!”

“Claire, drop that high–and–mighty attitude! With your father now dead, the Reese Group will have nothing to do with you! You and your mother should get out, as you are both useless to us now.”

“You brat! You and your mom enjoyed our hospitality, but now you demand even more? How dare you think you have a say in our family? Once you grow up, I’ll sell you to some old man! Come over and wash my feet, or I’ll lock you in the dog cage to sleep with the dogs again!”

One after another, my six cousins turned their backs on me, and I was left heartbroken, huddled in my mother’s arms.

But when I looked up to my mother, I found that it was the skeletal remains of my deceased mother.

“You disappointed us all, Claire,” my mother hissed.

“No, mommy Please, forgive me. I won’t forget my promise again. Please-”

The shattered memories crashed over me like a relentless wave.

Suddenly, I jolted awake from my nightmarish daze, my back was drenched in cold sweat from the fright of what I had dreamed.

Opening my eyes, I was greeted by a scene of joy. A contrast to what I silently endured in my own drunken haze of a sleep. It took me a minute to remember that those weren’t my brothers.

I looked over at the group of giggling adult children. Liyah had had too much to drink and was happily playing with her six brothers.

They held hands, surrounding her, and tossed her into the air, while Liyah giggled like a child.

The seven siblings had grown up together, their bond deep, and every single one of her brothers spoiled Liyah to the core.

I watched quietly, my vision blurring as I became lost in thought.

I instinctively tightened my grip on the worn, battered watch on my wrist, my eyes glistening with unshed tears, still not fully awake from the shattered dream.

It was my mother’s watch, one of the few things I had left to remember my family by.

One day, I would reclaim everything I had lost. I hadn’t forgotten my promise to get it all back. I wouldn’t let my parents down.

“Claire, what are you dawdling for? Come join us!”

Liyah squealed with excitement when she noticed I had returned to reality and waved cheerfully for me to join in, and just as I was about to stand, the door to the private room swung open unexpectedly.

A pair of expensive leather shoes caught my eye, and long legs clad in black pants strode in with effortless grace, taking a seat directly across from me.

The man casually picked up an empty wine glass from the table, resting his hand on the armrest. Liyah’s second brother, Kian, shivered when he recognized the visitor as their Alpha. Jumping back into his Gamma mode, he quickly grabbed the most expensive bottle of liquor and poured half a glass, greeting the man respectfully.

“Alpha Lucien, what brings you here?”

The man’s face was shrouded in shadow, his profile sharp and striking. I felt disoriented, unable to make out his features clearly, but the aura of refined coldness he exuded made my heart race.

It was really him, Lucien.

I never expected he would show up here.

Lucien lounged on the sofa as if he had no bones, slowly opening his eyes, revealing a lack of emotion. “This room has become too loud and distracting.”

So he was in the next room, and our noise had disturbed him.

Kian, trying to smooth things over, offered him a cigarette. “Claire just publicly announced her request for rejection from the Sterlings today. We’re celebrating for her. You two haven’t seen each other in years. Why not stay for a drink?”

Lucien glanced at me, his indifference chilling. He didn’t even raise an eyebrow, merely lowered his head to take the cigarette.

Kian quickly pulled out a ZIPPO lighter, igniting the tip of the cigarette. Lucien lowered his gaze, exhaling soft blue smoke rings.

“Hmm, rejection?” he asked, his voice low and devoid of sympathy.

Yeah, the Sterling Moon pack treated her terribly. We couldn’t stand by and watch. All of Alberta is currently buzzing about it tonight. You used to care for Claire. Don’t you want to step in for her?”

Seeing Lucien in a good mood, Kian boldly asked that question.

“Repeat what you just said.” Lucien lifted his gaze and fixed it on him. His tone was ordinary, but his cold eyes sent a jolt of fear through my heart.

Kian immediately understood and shook his head frantically, feeling as if a gun was pressed to his neck, the chilling aura making him tremble uncontrollably.