99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 70

At 3:30 PM the following day, I drove to the Crown of Thrones pack territory.

Just as I reached the pack entrance, a familiar figure caught my eye. It was Luna Stephanie.

She was dressed in a striking yellow lily-patterned dress with her hair styled in a vintage updo; A shell-shaped purse dangled from her hand, her heavily made-up face was sharp with hostility.

She was clearly waiting for someone.

My brow furrowed, and my eyes narrowed in suspicion. This was the first time that Luna and I had crossed paths since the birthday banquet fiasco and rejecting Liam.

Our eyes locked.

Luna Stephanie’s expression morphed from stunned disbelief into something dark and thunderous.

“Claire?” She spat my name like venom.

I paused, casting her a cool glance. “Luna Sterling. What brought the Queen of the damned over to this side of the city?”

The word made Luna Stephanie’s fingers curl; her palm was itching to strike out at me.

“Why the hell are you here?” Luna Stephanie swallowed her rage and eyed me up and down with suspicion.

Unaware of her motives, I replied evenly, “I work here.”

“Work?” Luna Stephanie’s face twisted with undisguised scorn, as if the idea of me holding a job was laughable. “Since when does someone like you worm their way into the Taylors’ firm?”

My patience thinned:

“I need a job to survive, or does the great Luna Sterling have a problem with that? If not, I’ll be on my way.”

I could see people around, and I wanted to draw attention to her presence.

I sidestepped Luna Stephanie.

Seeing me turning to leave, Luna Stephanie spun around in panic. She lunged forward, fingers clamping around my arm like a steel vice.

“Stop right there! I’m not finished with you!”

Every second spent dealing with the Sterlings since the rejection felt like draining the life out of me. Honestly, I was starting to feel like I was stuck dealing with them more now that I was supposed to be free of them.

I tried wrenching free, but Luna Stephanie’s grip was unshakable.

“Luna Sterling, I’m in a hurry. What do you actually want? You should know that this is considered harassment and may add to the pending investigation against you.” My brows furrowed, voice dripping with frosty irritation.

Luna Stephanie jerked closer, eyes burning with toxic warning.

“We’re arranging Liam’s mating to the Taylor girl, and now you conveniently show up at Queenie’s cousin’s company? Don’t play dumb with me, young lady. I see right through your game, Claire! You’re trying to wreck my son’s engagement! Get the f**k out of here and stay away from Queenie! Or else… or else I’ll-”

My gaze turned to ice, cutting straight to the marrow.

If Luna Stephanie hadn’t slipped up, I would never have guessed the Sterlings could move this fast.

Not even a week divorced, and they were already lining up the next bride to the s*******r. How pathetically desperate.

“Or else what?” I stepped forward, meeting Luna Stephanie’s glare without flinching.

“I-1-” For the first time, Luna Stephanie, who’d always dominated over me, staggered under the weight of that raw defiance.

The realization struck like a physical blow. The docile daughter-in-law she’d controlled was gone. This version of myself was now untouchable by someone as insignificant as a washed-up Luna on her way out.

With a derisive snort, I ripped her arm free and turned to leave.

But Luna Stepahnie, like a rabid dog with a bone, chased after me and grabbed me again.

“Not so fast, you little conyving b***h!” she shrilled, “You nearly landed Breanne and me in prison and cost our pack two billion, yet you think you can walk away? In your dreams! You will hand back every cent right now!” Her threat hung in the air. “Or I’ll make a scene right here. Let your new colleagues see what a joke you are!”

A firestorm of rage erupted in my chest.

Time was ticking. My meeting with Bart was imminent, yet this horrible woman clung like a stubborn stain, impossible to shake off.

I have only been employeed officially at Moonves for two days, and already the Sterlings have threatened to cause a public scene in order to jeopardize everything I was attempting to do. Why could they just take the hint and let me be?

I tensed, ready to wrench free.

Then a sleek black limousine glided to the curb.

Its obsidian finish gleamed, the vanity plate declaring its owner’s status. I barely glanced, my glare locked onto Luna Stephanie’s as I drew breath to retaliate.

“Ms. Reese… is that you?”The voice, achingly familiar, sent a jolt through me.

I whirled, a gasp trapped behind trembling fingers.

There he stood, as real as memory itself, beside the limo’s open door.

Bart.

Time seemed to reverse at the sight of his navy uniform, the same gentle bow, eyes crinkling with familiar warmth. Bart unlocked memories with a nearly physical click.

“Bart, I-” My breath hitched, my nose stinging with sudden tears.

“I’d know you anywhere. You’ve grown so tall, and too thin… but that face of yours hasn’t changed one bit. Come now, let’s get you home.”He smiled at me as he closed the distance.

I thought that my voice had changed over time, sounding muffled through the phone and becoming unrecognizable. Yet here he stood, not only knowing it was me, but coming personally to bring me home.

I bit down hard on my quivering lip, the sob rising in my chest threatening to break free. Not one word, and my resolve had shattered completely.

Behind us, Luna Stephanie finally registered the newcomer.

“Bart?” She jerked as if struck by lightning, a strangled gasp escaping through clenched teeth. “The Thornes Alpha family’s head omega? You-you work for Lucien Thorne?”

Her eyes widened comically, as if they might fall right out of her head.

Bart didn’t spare her a glance. The earlier confrontation hadn’t escaped his notice.

“Ms. Reese, we’re leaving this place. There are too many eyes here, and the bad energy in this area is heavy. We’ll continue in the car.”

Guiding me protectively into the luxury vehicle, he shielded me from prying eyes.

The door shut with a muted thunk, leaving Luna Stephanie gaping on the curb like yesterday’s trash.

My reflection showed Luna Stephanie still frozen with one arm outstretched in that aborted grab, her eyes staring blankly like a corpse’s, as if the ground had just opened up beneath her feet.

Was I enjoying this reaction from her too much? Nope! She was petrified, thinking that Lucien had sent his car to collect me, and she had not only threatened me in public but also left bruises from her grip.

There was no doubt in my mind that Luna Stephanie would call Liam and demand answers about my sudden involvement with Lucien.

Good, maybe the whole pack will finally leave me alone.