99 Times for Alpha's Bestie

Chapter 8 My Ride-or-Die Bestie Has My Back

Seeing me struggle to walk, and knowing that there was no talking me out of it, Liyah quickly borrowed a wheelchair from the nurses and pushed me towards the Luna’s Room, where Breanne was being treated as the beloved Princess of the pack.

My mate was so incredibly thoughtful, I thought bitterly, while the rage within threatened to boil over the brim within me.

I don’t knock. I didn’t care about manners or etiquette at this point.

Inside, Breanne lounged in bed watching dramas on her iPad, surrounded by fresh flowers and imported snacks. Bitterness chilled my heart at the sight. Liam truly outdid himself.

Her smile vanished when she spotted Liyah and me entering her room. "What are you doing here? Get out!"

My fingers tightened on the armrests of the loaned wheelchair. "Where's Mirage?" My voice was low but razor-sharp. "Did you order someone to torture him?"

Breanne's mocking gaze swept over my pallid face. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and I felt a pang of disgust within.

"Why not? Liam said I could get my revenge as I deemed fit. That beast broke two of my ribs. Letting it live for this long was a sign of mercy; you should be on your knees to thank me." She smirked. "Is that why you are here, Claire? To beg for a horse?”

"Tell me where he is." My nails are a bit into my palms.

Breanne giggled, singing off-key. "I know, but I won't tell. I wonder what that beast is enduring right this very moment, don't you?”

Liyah slammed the door shut and struck Breanne hard across the face. "You vile little b***h," she snarled. "Talk, or I'll break another rib for you."

Breanne clutched her cheek, her bravado crumbling into tearful hiccups. "W-what the hell? How dare—"

"Dare what?" Liyah loomed over her. "Where. Is. The. Horse?"

Liyah may be small, but she was a true Beta wolf, and right now, she was on high alert to protect.

Breanne was also a Beta female, but I had noted a while ago that she was undersized and didn’t carry the aura of one. It made me wonder if the Goddess saw the most likely path she’d take and weakened her beforehand.

Realizing the seriousness in Liyah’s eyes in her promise of pain, Breanne began to stammer fearfully. "H-he's at—",

The door burst open, and an angry growl broke out, echoing in the room.

Liam's icy voice cut through the room. "What's going on here?"

Breanne instantly transformed, whimpering, "Liam! They attacked me! Claire said she came back to finish me off. Look what they did to my face, Liam.”

Liam took in Breanne's reddened cheek and moved protectively in front of her.

His heated gaze was locked on me as though I had instantly become his enemy, no longer recognized as his mate.

However, instead of submitting and backing down, I met his gaze evenly.

"She tortured Mirage and then released the videos online. That is a crime, you know. It can be reported, in fact, it will be reported. Liyah had every right to hit her."

"Every right?" Liam seized my wrist, his grip brutal as he yanked me viciously from my wheelchair. "That animal broke Breanne's ribs. She was entitled to express her feelings about the beast as she saw fit. And with the Sterlings backing her legally, good luck, Claire. This is a battle you will not win." His glare turned contemptuous. "When did you become so unreasonable? You disgust me!"

My breath caught.

He meant his words.

I felt it through the bond. I could feel it crumbling further, and wondered if he did as well. His wolf must realize the damage being done by now.

Liyah exploded. "You bastard! Do you even care that Claire just—"

"Lost our supposed pup?" Liam scoffed. "Spare me the lies. I am done believing anything out of this deceitful bitches mouth!"

I flinched as if struck.

Liyah gaped. "Are you kidding me right now? It's on her medical charts, you i***t! Read it yourself.”

"Oh, please. Save your bullshit for someone who wants to hear it. I know her body better than any chart. If she could get pregnant, it would've happened years ago. She’s not only wolfeless, she's barren. Let’s also now add a manipulator to the list as well.”Liam turned away.

The cruelty of it rooted me to the spot.

Three years of trying, and he'd secretly blamed me all along. He thought lowly of me for being wolfless? He thought I was a lying, manipulative, barren mate? When did he start thinking this way about me?

My vision was blurred with the hurt and pain, but I refused to let a single tear fall.

His grip tightened, bruising my arms and caused me to cry out as a result.

Liyah's hand flew to her pocket. In one fluid motion, she pressed a small sliver pocket knife to Liam's throat, pulling him away from me.

"I warned Claire not to mate trash like you," Liyah hissed. "Tell us where Mirage is, or I'll carve the answer out of you."

Liam froze. "Have you lost your mind? It’s a f*****g horse, you i***t. You’re willing to start a pack war over a horse that deserves to be put down?”

"Liyah, don't!" I cried, I knew that not only her brother but the Thornes as well would be upset if she started a pack war over me and my falling out with Liam.

"He's not worth it, Claire. He literally robbed you of everything. He took your smile, your passions, your horse, your career ambitions and your happiness. All of it, he took away. Destroyed it all, and in the end, he still stands here betraying the mate bond and chose his w***e bestie. What the hell do you see in someone like him?" Liyah spat.

“Nothing! You’re right. He isn’t worth it, and that’s why I am leaving him. Put the knife down.”

For a fleeting moment, Liam looked stricken. I wondered if he was reflecting on what Liyah said.

Was it when I affirmed that I was leaving me out loud in front of people?

Liam pushed the narrative for so long that Breanne was just his best friend, and they were like siblings, while I was his long-term relationship and mate, but it never added up.

I suspected it was because a scandal like that could tarnish Breanne's image and potential prospects for mates in the future. No male would accept a homewrecker as a mate; she would prove to be untrustworthy to any self-respecting male.

Liam did something I didn’t expect in that moment. He looked at me with sorrow and regret. His eyes conveyed that he was beginning to realize he may have acted rashly and was now acknowledging his errors.

Liyah loosened her hold on him and lowered the blade, but I caught movement to my side a second too late to react in time.

"Liam, look out!" Breanne lunged, grabbing the blade with her bare hands. It was clear that Liyah was trying to pull the blade away, but Breanne was yanking it hard, stabbing herself but effectively framing Liyah in the process.

Liyah stepped back, stunned. The small pocket knife stuck in Breanne's chest as she crumpled to the ground, but not before gasping the faint and dramatic words that she loved Liam and now he was safe.

Liam's scream shattered the air. "Breanne! No, please, baby—don’t leave me. Bree-Bree, stay with me.”