99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 50

As soon as I entered the apartment, Liyah pounced on me like a hungry animal, chomping at the bits for updates.

“How did it go? Did everything get sorted?” Liyah asked, “Tell me, did he cry?” Liyah teased, wiggling her brows playfully.

I nodded, wearily tossing my bag onto the entryway table.

I wanted to play into her playfulness, but my head was still reeling from what just happened with Lucien.

I walked straight to the coffee table, pulling out a few tissues to wipe the cold sweat from my forehead. My body felt flushed, and I wasn’t sure if it was out of fright or something else.

“Are you alright?” Liyah noticed the signs, realizing I was drenched, not just on my forehead, but also on the back of my torn dress.

I nodded and recounted the harrowing experience from the car.

Liyah listened, wide–eyed in disbelief.

“A Lincoln? Lucien’s car? He went to pick you up with my brother, Kian?” Her voice shot up an octave. “Did he know you just finished finalizing your rejection of Liam and went to get you?”

“Impossible!” I interrupted instinctively.

Lucien’s reaction in the car made it clear he didn’t have that mindset.

He wanted to remind me who held the power; that was all.

“I mean, you’d think so, but his attitude toward you…” Liyah shook her head. “It’s hard to get a read on what his thoughts were. It is weird that after all this time, he’d go out of his way to pick you up specifically on this day, in front of city hall, but he did. Then he pointed a gun at you, and then didn’t do anything, is just bizarre.”

Liyah fell into a brief moment of deep thought and then murmured, “You should know that my brothers and I have discussed things, and even they feel as though Lucien has a special interest in you.”

I was too exhausted to dive deeper into it.

“None of that matters now,” I waved my hand dismissively, “What does matter now, is a nap. I feel completely drained.”

I made my way to the bathroom, quickly washing away the sweat and grime, and towards my bedroom.

I unzipped my torn and ruined dress, not bothering to dress into anything else. I simply didn’t have the energy to put into it.

The moment I collapsed into my spacious and comfortable bed, burying myself deep into the soft, cool pillow, I was out like a light. Nothing could wake me.

The next morning, with the sunlight streaming in through the gaps in the curtains, I stretched out and smiled.

Another busy day, but it was a busy day as a free woman.

I sprang out of bed excitedly and changed into a crisp white shirt and jeans, feeling much more refreshed, as if yesterday’s terror had merely been a bad dream.

After a quick cup of coffee and a light breakfast with Liyah, we dragged our suitcases out and left. Our destination was the airport, where we had a flight to British Columbia scheduled for today. After going through security, package checkpoints and boarding, Liyah grabbed my hand tightly once we were seated and buckled in. I knew she hated flying.

The engine roared to life, and began to lift from the runway. The sensation of weightlessness brought back memories of my first ride on a horse with Lucien.

It was my first time riding, and I was terrified; my eyes squeezed shut, and my breath was held. Lucien sat confidently right behind me, one hand on the reins, the other wrapped around my waist. “If you’re too scared to do it, Claire–bear, then tell me and I’ll leave you here and go on my own.”

Something about Lucien’s taunting tone and threat to abandon me mid–ride awoke a sense of stubbornness within me.

My eyes snapped open, and I bit down on the corner of my lip as I defiantly yanked on the reins and took charge of the horse we shared.

“Ankles! Lock them in the stirrups! Use finesse, not brute strength! Yes! Just like that! You need to master it! If you can tame Mirage, you can conquer anything!”

His clear and stern commands echoed in my mind.

Later, I truly tamed the fiery Mirage and proved my skill.

However, the life I was meant to lead, full of brilliance, veered off course after mating with Liam. Liam took away so much; he even took away Mirage, but I would rise up again, and I would prove a Psychopath them all wrong.

The upcoming equestrian competition in British Columbia is my chance to rebound. To show them that I wasn’t done, I still had something to prove; to them and me.

For too long, I allowed the title of wolfless to weaken me, but I wasn’t weak. I was still a wolfen–born member, and if my true mate was an Alpha, that meant there was still strength to be unleashed within. I just needed to unlock the cage it’s been confined within.

I turned my head to look out the window, where dark clouds rolled ominously, as if threatening to swallow the plane.

Yet, there was no fear in my eyes, only a calm determination.

I believed every cloud had a silver lining.

***ALPHA LUCIEN POV***

The turbulence only heightened my irritation.

I loosened my tie, as my lazy gaze fixated on the chaotic clouds outside the window. I hated flying. I hated the lack of control I had over it.

I would have much preferred to drive from Alberta to BC, but due to yesterday’s events, I had to remain close. So, I was now forced to take this flight with my Beta, Ethan and personal assistant, John.

“Alpha Thorne,” John said cautiously, handing me a beautifully printed list of competitors, seemingly choosing his words carefully.

“This list includes Liyah Cruz, Beta Ethan and Gamma Kian’s little sister. I noticed the improvements that Liyah Cruz has been making, but while her riding skills may not match Ms. Reese’s peak, she has become one of Alberta’s top young talents over the years.”

I glanced at the list. I was unclear why he was bothering me with this needless chatter. It fueled my irritation, which was already building.

“Who allowed you to mention her in my presence?” I asked.

Snap!

The hefty book snapped shut unexpectedly, making a loud noise.

John was typically a wise man; he managed my schedules and appointments well enough and knew when to be silent, yet here we were.

My eyes shot over to Ethan, gauging if we were thinking the same.

Ethan shook his head in disbelief at John’s brazen words. I turned my attention“Alpha Lucien, I–I heard that Gamma Kian took you to City Hall to pick Ms. Reese up after she officially rejected the Alpha heir of the Sterling Moon pack. I thought you had already forgiven her.”

As soon as John said that, I could see he realized he had crossed a line, his face turning ashen as he quickly bent his neck in submission. “I’m sorry, Alpha! I spoke out of turn! I was wrong!”

“Relax. I was just asking. Why are you so jumpy?” I toyed with my food, what can I say?

Those flippant words were more chilling than any reprimand could have been.

John’s legs seemed to turn to jelly, and with a thud, he fell to his knees on the carpet.

“Alpha, I really meant no offence! I–I just feel sorry for her! You personally trained her so well. She has truly excelled, winning top competitions for several years in a row. But then…” He swallowed hard, his throat dry. “I never expected she would mate so young. None of us did.”

“Oh?“I leaned closer to the trembling assistant, my smile deepening. “Do you love her? You have seem to be keeping up on her resume, you must have some type of affection towards her.”

I could actually hear John’s heart racing in terror, pressing himself against the carpet. “Alpha, that’s impossible! I–I don’t dare!”

“Not interested? Then why do you speak so highly of her? You seem very attached to someone I despise the most.” My lips almost brushed against his ear.

“I–I…” John’s face turned ghostly pale, trembling uncontrollably. The overwhelming fear pushed him to make a split–second decision!

He gritted his teeth and slammed his forehead against the nearest metal armrest in first class with all his might.

Call me a psychopath, but this just made the flight a lot more interesting.