99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 46

While I waited for Liam, the woman ran my information.

I explained that he was just outside, kissing ass to the reporters to smooth over his cheating scandal.

The woman gave me a knowing smile. I suspected she saw the social media streams circulating.

It was a few minutes longer before Liam finally shook off the reporters and came to my spot at the window.

Our eyes met briefly when I turned to him and told him to hand over his ID so we could proceed. His hair was immaculate. His face was clean–shaven, and his handsome face was still striking. He didn’t look like he lost a minute of sleep. Must have been nice. He really didn’t care; if I didn’t hear his defence against the allegations to protect his family and Breanne, then his image right now confirmed just how little he cared.

I noticed he was wearing the suit I had picked for him. I hated it on sight.

It’s funny how things can change. One moment, I was handpicking suits to accentuate his handsome features; the next minute, I was hating the very suit for just that reason.

Liam cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this? How can you be sure you won’t have any regrets? Claire, you need to think this through.”

Liam stepped in front of me, blocking my sight from the woman behind the window, who was awaiting his ID. He then tried to reach out for my hand.

Was he serious right now?

I quickly pulled away. “Do you have your Identification, Liam? The lady is waiting for it. I can assure you, there is no regret on my end, other than accepting your mark in the first place.”

I could see the hurt pierce Liam but I didn’t care.

If this could have been done separately or online, I wouldn’t have come today. I had no interest in ever being in the same room with a Sterling member ever again, so his stall tactic was frustrating but shouldn’t have surprised me.

As he handed the woman his identification and necessary paperwork, he turned to me once again.

“I know you are just trying to get attention, and you got it. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand, but your jealousy over Breanne isn’t an excuse to end our matebond.“he said, his voice thick with emotion.

I struggled not to respond to his baiting.

How dare he reduce this down to something as superficial and petty as undeserved jealousy?

The entire city was waiting for him to fail now; they were quietly waiting for the Sterling Moon pack to be humiliated yet again through the acts of him and Breanne.

Yet here he stood, downplaying it all.

If he had a mate standing in front accepting his actions, then the world would mock me and not him. I refused to be that shield any longer.

“Claire, come on.” Liam tried again, but my focus remained on the woman’s hands as she typed with incredible speed and accuracy. “A mating certificate is just a piece of paper. I know you haven’t forgiven me, but you will. It’s in your nature to do so, plus, I am your mate. You can’t live a happy and full life without your mate, Claire.”

I bit my lip so hard, I tasted the blood.

“I promise I’ll keep my distance from Breanne. How about only at family or pack functions? I know you are doing all of this to test my commitment to the bond, and you’re right. I’ll fix that.”

I shook my head.

“Liam, stop talking to me. I want nothing more to do with you, your family or your pack ever again. Now you can openly be with Breanne and not have to hide behind the title of just really close friend s.”

“We are just friends, Claire.” Liam sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Liam,” I turned to him with an icy glare. “Friends don’t get naked in front of friends. They don’t lie on top of each other in bed, playing drinking games alone in the guest room when their mates are asleep upstairs. A good mate doesn’t hit their innocent mate because they chose to believe their friend’s lies over the blatant and obvious truth. Every slap, every punishment, every hurtful word you’ve given me has brought us to this point, not petty jealousy. Grow up!”

I turned back to the woman who I caught staring dumbfounded at my words.

She hesitated before she reached into the drawer and pulled out the small chalice and ceremonial rejection dagger.

We needed to add a few drops of our blood for her to dip the rejection ribbon into the mixture before she severed the bond between Liam and me.

“Are you ready?” She asked me, and not Liam.

With a quick nod, I offered my palm to give my blood first.

Liam remained silent as his brow furrowed. He reminded me of a sulking child.

Next, the woman looked to Liam for his offering. He hesitated.

“Breaking yet another promise, Liam? You signed the agreement when you trapped me in this hellhole called mating, promising that if I was unhappy, I could leave. Yet here you are, delaying. I shouldn’t be surprised, you never keep your promises.”

With a reluctant sigh, Liam shoved his arm through the window opening and allowed the woman to take his blood.

We stood there in silence, watching her say the incantation as she dipped the white ribbon. She then sliced through the blood–stained ribbon, severing our bond.

Liam felt the instant pain of the bond being broken. I knew his wolf was howling within. I didn’t have a wolf, so I experienced mild heartburn, but I was otherwise fine.

The woman watched us with a mournful expression.

We both signed the certificate and finalization form. Liam’s signature was shaky and uneven, while mine, in contrast, was focused, and each stroke was placed with grace. Liam’s signature was a mess, while mine was clear and confident.

It was like shedding the burden of a winter coat. I felt lighter.

It was incredible to me. It only took minutes to sever the bond here, while I allowed Liam years to do it himself.

Watching our names in the mate ledger being struck out was invigorating and freeing. I let out a long sigh of relief.

I could almost see my future self, free from the shackles of an undeserved mate bond, beckoning to me from afar.

After all the pain had been exhausted in the struggle, I didn’t feel hurt at the last moment. Instead, it felt like liberation.

Liam held the rejection certificate, his fingers trembling slightly.

He looked completely heartbroken.

“I thought you’re just angry and didn’t really want to reject our bond. Once you calm down, we can always remark on one another. We’re true mates, Claire. I won’t let you go that easily! Be angry for as long as you need to be; I’ll be waiting for your forgiveness and acceptance again.”

I ignored his delusional words and walked away. Liam called out after me, but I left the building without looking back.