99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 75

My eyes fluttered open to the sterile white walls of yet another hospital room. The familiarity did not make it any less irritating.

I exhaled sharply through my nose and attempted to push myself upright when a searing pain lanced through my right arm.

“Claire!” The hoarse shout exploded beside me. A sleep-deprived head jerked up from the bedside, making me startle.

Liam looked like he had been through a war, with bloodshot eyes, hair sticking up in all directions, and at least three days’ worth of stubble shadowing his jawline.

“Sweetheart, thank Goddess you are awake!”

“Do not ever call me that again.” I yanked my hand back like I had been burned.

Liam’s hand hovered awkwardly before retreating with a forced chuckle. “Relax,” he deflected, “the scans showed only superficial lacerations, no fractures. Follow the dressing schedule and you will be back on your feet soon.”

Rubbing my temples, I struggled to reconstruct my last memories before blacking out.

I remembered with crystal clarity Lucien’s arms carrying me to safety.

So why was Liam planted at my bedside now? Did Lucien leave me with Liam?

“Why are you here?” My voice dripped with exhaustion and suspicion.

“Do not even ask!” Liam seized the opportunity, slamming his palm against the mattress. “You think a scumbag like Lucien would help you? He would rather watch you bleed out! If I had not made a huge scene and forced his hand, he would have-”

Every fibre of my being rejected his story.

My nails dug into the sheets as fury turned my vision red.

“What did you say to Lucien? Is that why-”

“Nothing!” Liam cut me off, raising his hand in a dramatic oath. “I swear, the moment we reached the ER, he dumped you on me and stormed off with a thunderous expression! He didn’t even care if you lived or died, Claire. I saved your life, not him.”

Mid-sentence, his words choked off.

He must have recalled his own desperate shout to Lucien, bringing an immediate flush to his face. And I knew why. I remembered his words to Lucien.

With a weak gesture toward the door, I sneered, “Save your breath, only politicians swear oaths like it’s nothing, while guilt hangs over their heads. I do not need your pity. Get out.”

“You do not need me? For goddess’ sake, Claire! The ink is barely dry on our rejection paperwork, and look what you have done to yourself!” Liam looked like he had been slapped.

“Lucien fed you to a Bear yesterday, who knows what psycho s**t he will pull tomorrow? Quit being stubborn! Let us renew our mate bond today, okay? In Edmonton, I am your only real protection!”

I stared blankly before a bitter, mocking laugh burst from my lips.

Renew our mate bond?

Fat Chance of that happening! I would have to be brain-dead first.

“Your protection?” I let the words hang, poison-tipped. “You mean forcing abortions, making me take the fall for yours and Breanne’s scandals, isolating me from the only friends I had, and pimping me out to your buddies?”

Liam turned as white as a sheet, his mouth working soundlessly.

I could see his brain frantically clawing for a comeback when-

The door slammed open. Breanne stood framed in the doorway, her eyes shooting daggers at my prone form.

“Claire! The ink is barely dry on those council’s separation papers, why are you still glued to Liam? Your brainwashing tricks won’t work. I am here to save him from your venom!” Breanne charged in like a modern-day heroine.

Before I could speak, Liam leapt up, waving Breanne off like a bad smell and standing to put himself between me and her.

“Who told you that you were allowed to come in here? Can you not see she is recovering? Get out, now!”

Usually, she was the one in bed while I got shown the door. This was the first time since our mating that Liam stood up for me against Breanne.

The role reversal hit like a glacial waterfall. Breanne’s entire body trembled violently.

“Lee-Lee-you ghosted my calls and WhatsApps all night! I turned this city upside down, and then when you finally answer, it is to tell me to back off? What has happened to you, Liam??!”

“Enough, Breane. I don’t want the drama here! Do not disrupt Claire while she is recovering!” Liam reined in his temper with visible effort but stood firm.

The moment the words left his lips, both of them erupted.

“Have you lost your mind, Liam?” Breanne seethed. “You have officially rejected the bond on both ends! She dumped you; have some dignity! Let us go!”

She grabbed Liam’s wrist with sudden force.

But to her shock, he recoiled as if he had touched something contaminated.

“Breanne! Mind your manners in front of Claire!” His brows knotted into a furious scowl, every muscle taut with revulsion.

I knew what Liam was doing. I didn’t tell him, but I remembered everything he murmured to me when he thought I was unconscious after surgery. If Breanne kept making scenes like this, then Liam’s reconciliation plans would be ruined!

Breanne’s outstretched hand hung frozen midair. Slowly, she withdrew it, her nails biting into her palms.

Tears welled in her widened eyes.

“Last night…” Her voice cracked. “I… I prepared a feast. Invited Queenie specially to meet you-”

She bit her quivering lip hard. Not one tear would fall.

Liam cut her off sharply. “Enough! I am not interested in dating other females. As for this female named Queenie? I do not even know her!” He turned to me, his eyes suddenly filled with the same unconditional devotion that had marked our early days.

That look might have swayed me once, but that was before all the lies, broken promises and above all, the betrayals.

Now? I merely watched coldly, savouring the spectacle like front-row theatre.

“You are coming with me!” Breanne snapped, yanking his arm. “You are expected to apologize to Queenie!

You cannot just break your promise like this!”

Liam scrambled backward defensively. “Apologize for what? You never told me this was a setup!”

“I do not care! We can’t afford to offend another Elite family, not when our pack is still being openly mocked from the birthday fiasco. You will do this, that is an order!”

“ENOUGH!” Liam’s roar shook the walls. His wolf had had enough, and with Liam’s weakened resolve on the matter, his wolf was able to push through the barrier within, and with one violent shove, he sent Breanne flying.

I watched as Breanne’s spine collided with the table’s jagged edge.

Breanne clutched her lower back dramatically, letting out an exaggerated wail as she lurched toward the floor.

“Liam, what is wrong with you! You have never allowed your wolf to strike out against me in the past. Hold me like you used to, she screamed, squeezing her eyes shut while allowing herself to tip backward stiffly. She was trying to force Liam’s hand.

In the past, the moment she fainted, Liam would drop everything to catch her, letting her collapse safely into his strong, warm embrace.

But this time, only the hard, cold floor greeted her.

Yet his gaze remained locked onto me with that cloying, earnest starę.

As if to prove his so-called transformation, he did not so much as glance at Breanne, crumpled on the floor. Instead, he all but vibrated with desperation as he turned to me, pleading.

“See, Claire? I did not help her up when she fell! I am really changing! I mean it this time!”