99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 49

I presented a front of being calm, but I couldn’t help it when my shoulders involuntarily tensed.

I was indeed scared.

No one remained unafraid when a gun was pointed at them, especially when the one holding the gun was Lucien, the living embodiment of death.

Yet, I waited and was accepting of whatever fate may be for me, but the trigger never clicked.

“Lucien, what are you waiting for?” I asked, my voice slightly wavering. “Pull the trigger. I am at peace with death if it comes.”

Lucien suddenly tossed the gun aside. Then, he gripped my chin tightly, his palm pressing against my neck.

I felt a choking sensation, as if he were trying to suffocate me. No, this was worse. I wanted the gun pointed at my head again. The idea of dying by Lucien physically strangling me was worse. Outside, the sunny weather had turned into a violent storm.

Rain pounded against the car windows like a thousand tiny fists. It was as if the Goddess was witnessing what was happening and disapproved of this act from Lucien. I worked so hard to rid myself of Liam, only to die by Lucien’s literal hand.

My body tensed even more.

But then, Lucien relaxed his grip, “Are you not avoiding me anymore?”

I froze.

Memories of the shadows he cast over me in college flooded back, causing my heart to race.

I bit my lip, gathering my courage. After a few seconds, I met his gaze steadily.

“I was wrong to be afraid. I shouldn’t have rushed into accepting a horrible mate from the Sterling Moon pack just to escape you. You’re actually the one who cares for me the most, because you’re my brother, right?”

Lucien stared at me, momentarily taken aback by my unexpected determination.

“Do you think you deserve my kindness?” He scoffed, a cruel smile creeping onto his lips.

The bond we once shared had shattered the day his mother took her life.

I was a rejected wolfless female with nothing to her name, and I was now just someone clinging to childhood memories, trying to latch onto him.

“I know I don’t deserve it,” I replied, lowering my gaze. “You’re the heir of the Thorne Alpha family, while I’m a nobody. I know you think I’m just trying to win your favour, but I’m aware of my place.”

“Believe me or not, I’ve always regarded you as family. Even during those four years in college when you shadowed me and tried desperately to ruin my life, I never blamed you. I understand your pain, including why you changed so drastically.”

As I said that, I kept my eyes locked on Lucien’s face.

Though he looked more mature and sharp than I remembered, there were still traces of the boy I once knew.

I could sense his wolf stirring. I knew his wolf missed me. He never believed the lies about my mother; I knew it. It was Lucien, the human counterpart, who led the direction his vengeance took. “I often think about what could have been if things had been different. If we had grown up together without all that drama, maybe when I got mated, you could’ve stood by me like you always promised to.” I saw the flicker in his eyes.

“When I faced difficulties, you would’ve been there to defend me. Even when I reached the point of divorce, I would still have you come and take me home. You would always be my strongest support.”

Lucien lowered his gaze, seemingly listening intently, or perhaps communicating with his wolf.

My voice cracked as I pressed on, “Even today, when I walked out of City Hall and saw you sitting there, I felt like you were there to take me home. But I know that’s just a fantasy. We can never go back to being children, but in my heart, you will always be my family, no matter how much you resent me.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

These were genuine tears. Remembering how close we were, how safe I always felt with him, and seeing how far apart we’ve become–it hurt.

Lucien’s long fingers remained at my eye, catching the warmth of my tears as they fell.

The last hint of mockery vanished from his face.

He pulled me close, crushing me against him, as if he intended to kiss me!

I was shocked!

Wasn’t he supposed to be moved and take me back to see the Crown of Throne pack house?

What the heck was happening right now?

“Let go of me! Lucien, are you crazy?” Panic–stricken instincts kicked into overdrive and I struggled against his hold.

Lucien pinned me down, completely disregarding the presence of others in the car, pressing his weight onto me.

Rip!

The sound of my dress tearing echoed in the car.

My heart raced as I pushed against him with all my might, desperately trying to escape to the far side of the seat.

I caught the sound of Kian’s breath hitching at the scene of what was happening. There was no longer fear in his features, but genuine surprise.

Lucien has never shown s****l interest in anyone. Moments ago, he held a gun to my head, then intended to choke me to death, but now, he was attempting to assault me?

Seeing me shrink into the corner in horror, Lucien let out a cold laugh, his blue eyes locking onto my every expression.

The lilac dress I wore had torn open during my struggle.

A faint red scratch marks from him and his wolf struggling over control appeared on my pale skin. Lucien adjusted his pants, seemingly adjusting himself. He then leaned back against the seat, sneering, “You’ve learned well from your mother’s acting skills. It’s just as nauseating.”

“You still refuse to believe me? My mother and I aren’t as wicked as you think. We were just too weak to escape our circumstances,” I explained.

“You could kill yourselves to avoid bothering others with your existence.” Lucien interrupted me, his tone filled with hatred.

“Is that what you want, Lucien? Would that make you happy? Watching me take my own life?“I wiped away my tears, feeling a sense of disappointment.

I knew Lucien was twisted and unpredictable. But that was fine.

I knew I would never be a permanent fixture in Lucien’s life. His hurt and quest for vengeance blinded him; it was ruling his life, and unfortunately, he was blaming the wrong people for it. That would be his own regret to live with later on. You can’t force the blind to see the truth if they don’t want to.

I noticed he didn’t answer, he turned his face away and stared out the window in

“I can’t die yet,” I said, lifting my gaze, “I still have unfinished business.”

“Oh?”

Lucien’s only response was a short, laced with disdain.

“Alpha Lucien, Gamma Kian, we’ve arrived at Pinecrest Villas.” The driver’s professional voice broke the tension in the car.

“Stop the car. Let her get out.” Lucien picked up the gun from the floor, playing with it as he stared at the dark barrel.

If I didn’t know Lucien better, I would think that he was disappointed that we arrived at my apartment complex already. He pressed against the window, almost curled up like a grumpy, wounded animal. Unsure what to do with himself.

“Claire,” Kian spoke when I awkwardly exited the car, and he met me around the vehicle. “Get inside, and rest. I will check in later.”

I smiled and nodded in thanks, covering my torn dress as I walked toward the community entrance.

As I walked toward my unit, I could hear Lucien’s cold voice call out to Kian. “Still not getting in? Keep staring, and you’ll lose your head. I still have to hurt someone, too much pent–up sets my wolf off. Don’t trigger him, Gamma. Mind your eyes and your place.”