99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 63

The plane landed smoothly at Edmonton International Airport right at precisely 9:28 pm.

After collecting our baggage and heading towards the front entrance of the airport, a gleaming Rolls–Royce Phantom was waiting for its passenger.

“Go ahead, Lucien,” I gave the luxury car a passing glance and offered Lucien a faint smile, “Don’t worry about me, Liyah and I can wait for our Uber.”

It wasn’t as if I felt that he needed my permission; I think I more so wanted to use this chance to speak to him one last time. I suspected that his kindness would fade away the moment he drove off.

Lucien’s icy gaze swept over us, his expression making it clear he didn’t care or worry at all.

There it was, the hard edge of his armour had been restored. I sighed.

Lucien slid into the backseat without a word.

John followed close behind. Kian paused only for a split second and gave a quick nod to his sister and me before he joined them in the car.

As the car pulled away, the overly attentive Liam moved in and was now trying to corner me under the pretense of me needing a saviour.

It seemed that Liam was enjoying playing the doting escort. Too bad he hadn’t shown this side of himself to me while we were together; perhaps I would have stuck around and fought harder.

I shook my head instantly at the idea, no. I wouldn’t have. I fought enough for someone who should never have been mine in the first place.

Bandages and all, Liam hauled my luggage one–handed while his other arm draped possessively over my coat collar.

I knew my uncharacteristic cooperation was confusing Liyah.

It wasn’t me submitting, it was because I saw a familiar shadow ahead of us before he did, and I wanted to watch this drama unravel with a smile.

Liam continued to puff out his chest with smug pride until–his smile shattered the second he spotted the figure trembling like a leaf across the terminal. A figure I already clocked approaching us.

Breanne Telder.

Her tangled hair whipped in the wind, a ratty white sundress clinging to her gaunt frame.

She wore no makeup, and there was no spark in her hollow eyes. She stood there, staring at us, presented like a happily reunited couple, while she exhibited a hollowed–out version of the girl she’d once been.

I then noticed the crimson bandages wrapped around Breanne’s arm, with faint bloodstains peeking through, twisted the heart.

I wasn’t surprised. Breanne Telder always had a flair for the dramatics.

Gamma Soren rushed out, gripping his phone, about to report the situation, but Breanne, with careful precision, had already stumbled forward.

She collapsed before Liam like a marionette with cut strings. Oddly enough, she was the puppet master, never the puppet.

“Lee–Lee…” Her voice trembled uncontrollably, each word choked with sobs as her body swayed dangerously.

I was taken aback by the arctic gaze reflecting in Liam’s eyes.

“Who told you to come?” he demanded. “Shouldn’t you be at home reflecting on your behaviour? Was ruining my mating bond and the pack’s reputation not enough? You want to do more damage?”

Breanne’s tear–filled eyes landed on Liam’s bandaged body. I heard her breath hitched as she instinctively reached for his shoulder.

“Liam! What happened to you? Let me-”

“Breanne Germaine Telder!” Liam slapped her hand away sharply. “Control yourself! This is a public place; do you have no shame? I have made myself very clear. I no longer wish to be close to you. Remember your place!”

The use of her full name struck like a physical blow.

I watched silently from the side, my lips curled into a barely–there smirk.

‘Well, I thought, ‘isn’t this the perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black. You, too, should learn your place, Liam. But it is nice to see Breanne finally being called out for her behaviour.’

My fleeting smile didn’t escape Breanne’s notice.

It was clear that hatred was palpable in her eyes, so intense it might have burned through fabric.

Yet somehow, Breanne swallowed the fury and suddenly darted around Liam, only to throw herself dramatically at my feet, her knees hitting the pavement with bone–jarring force.

“Claire! You’ve got it all wrong about me!” she cried. “I swear on my life. There’s never been anything improper between us! Don’t destroy your mate bond over some jealous misunderstanding! Please, I promise I’ll disappear. I will see a stranger. I’ll do anything! Just don’t make Liam lose his pack’s reputation because of me!”

Every word dripped with performative agony, the picture of wronged innocence.

Liam’s jaw tightened. “Breanne, what the hell are you doing? Enough with the lies!”

I flicked her fingers dismissively, as if shooing a gnat. “Oh, please, Liam. One must always let the show go on.”

Breanne’s voice quivered, tears spilling over.

“Claire, I was orphaned young,” she sobbed. “Without Luna Stephanie and Alpha Henry’s mercy after my Beta parents were killed by rogues while defending our pack, I’d have starved in the streets. Liam shows me extra care, but purely as family.”

Breanne wiped her tear–stained face wildly within the back of her trembling hand.

“The Alpha family have treasured you since your mating ceremony. When you lashed out at Liam or felt slighted, it must’ve been misunderstandings. Please reconsider the rejection proceedings… just give us time…” she added.

Liam stiffened; it was clear that this performance blindsided him. It seemed that he had braced for accusations, not this grovelling plea.

‘So jail finally knocked some sense into her, I thought.

This Oscar–worthy performance was almost convincing. Were I not the target, even I might’ve bought this ridiculous martyr act.

“Real begging requires sacrifice!” Liyah spat. “You think kneeling with performative tears will bring Claire back? Ram your skull into that column ten times, then we’ll talk!”

Before I could react, Breanne lunged at the pillar like a ragdoll. Each sickening impact louder than the last, her forehead splitting open on the third strike.

A collective gasp ripped through the crowd, and I watched as several phones emerged like vultures circling prey.

“Why’s she punishing herself?” one bystander whispered.

“His mate is ejecting him over his closeness with his best female friend,” another murmured.

“Ridiculous! My friends never-”

By the fourth collision, blood painted grotesque trails down the stone.

“She’s suffered enough!” he bellowed. “I’ll keep my distance, Claire, just stop this! This is going too far!”

I didn’t speak. Liyah sneered. “We didn’t force her. After what you-”

“Stay out of this!” Liam roared, his wolf slowly surfacing.

By the fifth thud left Breanne’s face was a crimson mask. It boggled my mind why Breanne would go to this extreme length. I knew it wasn’t for my forgiveness, and she already had Liam.

To be honest, I had expected Liam to rush over and stop Breanne, but no one lifted a finger to intervene.

“Why stop now? That was only five. Five more to go. Or should your boyfriend take your place?” Liyah’s voice hissed in Breanne’s ear.

Breanne frantically shook her head, clutching my sleeve with trembling fingers.

‘Please, Claire, show mercy. Don’t make Liam do this,” she begged. “I’ll bear the pain for him. Just tell me what to do… I’ll do anything for your forgiveness.”

With a desperate sob, she hurled herself at the pillar again. Her forehead smashed into the jagged stone, the dull impact echoing across the terminal.

Blood erupted in a crimson arc, streaming down her pallid face.

“Breanne!” Liam finally snapped.

He charged forward, knees hitting the marble as he reached for her. And the moment his fingers brushed her ice–cold, limp arm, his entire body went rigid with shock.

Breanne’s temple was cracked and torn open. If she had no wolf healing her within, surely this would have killed her.

Breanne slowly tried to lift her head to smile, but her face contorted in agony instead.

His eyes trembled with mounting rage.

“Claire,” he growled through clenched teeth, “this is beyond cruel. I am disgusted by who you’ve become!”