99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 71

I continued to watch her reflection in the mirror as we drove away.

She did exactly as predicted. She reached into her purse and made a phone call.

It was apparent that she had dialled Liam’s number.

She looked frantic as she spoke into the phone, and I revelled in every second I watched.

The Sterling Moon pack were respected in this region, but against the Crown of Thrones pack, they were nothing more than a gnat against a hurricane.

Luna Stephanie would have thought her performance back there would put me in my place, making me believe I no longer had protection from her. Well, what little Liam offered, anyway.

But now I feel confident that Luna Stephanie will keep her distance from Moonves for a while.

After all, the mere thought of the Crown of Thornes ruthless reputation, especially Lucien’s glacial precision in crushing dissent, would send violent shivers down Luna Stephanie’s spine.

Liam would take his typical approach on this phone call and try to soothe his mother, promising her that he would handle it, but that was the usual political response to appease the panicked, when in reality, if Lucien wanted to, he could annihilate the Sterling Moon pack.

When she was finally out of sight, I could focus on my current situation.

In the moving car, I kept my gaze downcast, too overwhelmed to meet Bart’s worried gaze.

Bart sighed before speaking softly.

“All these years, I’ve kept a quiet eye on you. Who could have predicted that such a picture-perfect Alpha family would treat you so horribly behind closed doors? I was aware of the messy rejection petition from the start… You’ve endured so much pain these past years, little Claire-bear.”

My head jerked up, my face pale with shock. “Bart, you knew everything?”

“Of course. You and Lucien were both children I raised under my care. I have always considered your family, little one. How could I not watch over you?”

Now I understand why I mentioned taking measurements yesterday; Bart came personally today. I had never truly left this old omega’s watchful gaze.

“Bart… you recognized my voice yesterday, didn’t you?” A bittersweet warmth surged through my chest. “Yes,” he sighed deeply, “Ever since you left the Crown of Thornes pack, I’ve been waiting for the day you’d come looking for me. I always knew it would happen. I have never given up on you, not for even one day.”

“Bart… you… You don’t blame my mother? Everyone thinks my mother and Alpha Emeric had an affair, but it’s not true. But why are you being so kind when most shun me because of the rumours?” I asked.

“What happened between Alpha Thorne and your mother-I knew the truth better than anyone.”

Bart closed his eyes and briefly looked out the window.

“They were simply two tragic souls-one honour-bound by his word to a deceased best friend, the other devoted to her true mate bond even in the death of her mate. And yet…” His voice cracked with emotion.

“Both were victims of a familiar confidant under their very noses. He managed to disassemble the Crown of Thornes pack overnight.”

“Bart, you knew everything…” Tears burst forth like a dam breaking as I clutched the old man’s hands desperately.

All this time, I had believed that I was alone in defending my mother and Alpha Emeric. But Bart had known the truth all along. He’d simply never spoken of it.

I can’t blame him, though.

As an omega of the pack speaking against the Alpha, believing the allegations, he would have been punished worse than I was.

The usually reserved omega nodded fiercely, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Luna Thorne died unjustly, and your mother suffered so much and passed with so many regrets. Both females deserved better than they received. Alpha Emeric Thorne’s stroke was pure torment. The loss of his true Luna was too much for his broken wolf could handle. As for Alpha Lucien and you… It was all a tragedy through and through. But what could I do? Merely an Omega, knowing the truth didn’t mean I could change fate.”

I clutched Bart’s hand when my fingers suddenly brushed against something unnatural.

My eyes snapped downward, and my blood ran cold.

Three fingers were missing from his right hand. My heart lurched.

“Bart!” My voice cracked under the overwhelming emotion. “How… how did this happen?!”

His lips twisted. “It’s… complicated. Not now.” He was avoiding eye contact as I spoke.

Sudden understanding crashed over me. I stared at him, trembling.

“I know for a fact that Lucien would never do this; he always said he’d never be one of those corrupt Alphas who abuse their own pack members. This isn’t something he would condone. It was… Matthew Scott, wasn’t it?”

Bart lowered his head submissively. Only a stifled sigh filled the car.

I clenched my small fists, my fury blazing.

“Matthew’s behind all of this! That two-faced snake, he was never anything but poison in the well! Bart, how can Lucien still trust him?!”

Though only the driver shared the car, a man that Bart undoubtedly trusted to come and retrieve me, but the moment Matthew’s name left my lips, Bart went deathly pale.

He physically recoiled in the seat as he frantically scanned the car like a hunted animal before clamping a shaking hand over my mouth.

Bart wasn’t the only one to react when I spoke Matthews’ name, either. I saw the driver grip the steering wheel tighter as he stiffened in the seat.

This made me wonder just how powerful Matthew had become since I left.

He must have managed to secure a more influential hold over Lucien for the mere mention of his name, with no chance of others hearing, to extract this kind of fearful reaction.

Oddly, the world thought Lucien to be the monster, but the real beast had always been Matthew. He was just well hidden, using Lucien as the shield.

My eyes flashed with understanding as I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a hushed whisper.

“Bart, how far has Matthew climbed in the Crown of Thorne pack ranks these days?”