Page 23 of He Claimed Her Heart

Angela stood up with tears welling up in her eyes as well. “I would be honored if you called me your mother Bree. I am so proud of you,” she said as he enveloped me into a huge hug.

“Bree, we meant every word we said.You may call us mom and dad. We will be your second parents, if that is alright with your father,” Edward replied looking at my dad.

“I’m glad you feel that way. Bree has never had a female who really loved her for who she was. She could really usea mother right about now. Welcome to the family,” dad announced to Edward and Angela.

Everyone seemed to be crying and happy. Alpha Drake seemed a little confused but took it in stride. “Excuse me, may I borrow Bree for a few minutes,” Alpha Drake implored.

“Um, sure. I’ll be back shortly everyone,” Iwhispered as I took Alpha Drake’s hand.

He led us out into the garden area behind the banquet hall.“I’m not really sure what just happened in there, but okay. I wanted to talk to you for a few minutes. Alone. I’ve been watching you these past couple of days. You are truly a wonderful person. A true leader and beautiful. As I watched you these past couple of days, I’ve started feeling things and you have my wolf’s undivided attention. I’ve felt things I haven’t felt in quite some time. Then, tonight when you almost collapsed. Oh boy, what can I say. It took a lot of restraint for me not to take you in my arms and kiss you silly,” he exclaimed as he intently looked me in the eyes.

“So, you felt it too? I wasn’t alone in feeling how wonderful it felt to have your arms around me felt?” I shyly asked him.

“You felt it too? Wow. I mean, Yes! I don’t have a Luna. I need to find a Luna or forfeit my pack. So, what I am asking you is, will you date me and get to know me? And maybe possibly become my Luna?” he asked sheepishly with a blush covering his cheeks.

“Let me get this straight, you’re on that stupid list my uncle has put out. The one that has 15 Alphas on it that they must find a Luna or else?” Imuttered in disbelief.

“How did you know about the list? Yes, I’m on it, butlike I said, you’ve awakened something inside of me this week. You’ve felt it. You said it. Fuck! Why does this have to be so hard?” he yelled at himself as he got up and started pacing.

“Alpha Drake, pleasesit down. I didn’t mention the list to upset you. I mentioned it because I’m on the list too as a potential female mate. I found out from my Alpha so I could be prepared. I’ve already started receiving ‘gifts’ from other Alphas introducing themselves to me,” I explained as he came over to sit down.

“And its Drake when it’s just the two of us, okay? Really? You’re on the list? How did you get on the list?” he wondered aloud.

“Edward and Angela, their son was my mate. I met himone night. We started getting to know each other. He took me home because I told him I had commitments I had to fulfill in my pack—it was the tournament. He said no worries. We kissed; he said good night. The next day, we met at his pack, his pack got attacked, and he died. We never finished the mating process,” I recounted again how I lost my mate.

“That’s horrible. You found him one night, then lost him the next day?That’s not fair. Why would they put your name on the list?” He mused more to himself than to me.

“Probably because of my bloodline. I am a Beta bloodline and a strong warrior,” I answered him.

“That you are. Any male would be honored to have you as a mate. So, you didn’t answer my question. Would you consider dating me and possibly being my chosen mate?” he asked me one more time on one knee.

“I need to ask those people inside whom I was talking to before we came outside. Do you mind going and getting them please? I value their opinion. But I already know my answer and I want them to know my answer,” I said as I smiled at him.

“I’ll be right back,” he said as he grinnedat me before he left.

Next thing I know, I have the Alphas (Bennett and Blaine), Dad, Tom, Edward, and Angela in front of me. All of them have this confused look on their face until Alpha Drake reappears. Then the confusion clears.

“Alpha Drake has asked me if I would consider dating him, to get to know him, and consider being his Chosen Mate. I wanted him to get you all so you would know what my answer was,” I explained as I looked at everyone gathered.

“And, what have your decided,” Tom blurted out.

“Shut up and let her finish,” dadsilenced him.

“I am not jumping into anything just yet. I am agreeing to date him and get to know him. And possibly be his chosen mate. When he held me on the dance floor and when he caught me from falling when mother … well, let just say, it felt comfortable. Do I have your permission to date him?” I asked the group assembled.

“Let me get this straight. You’re asking our permission to date him?” Tom stutteredwith confusion.

“Yes, and you know why I’m asking,” I scolded him.

“You have our permission,” Angelaannounced first.

“Everyone in favor, raise your hand,” dad commanded. All hands went up.

Tears threatened to spill as Drakewrapped his arms around my waist and spun us around. Everyone laughed and took the cue to leave. He put us down and he looked into my eyes. “Thank you for agreeing. I think you made me the happiest man alive. May I have a kiss? Just a peck?” he inquired with excitement dancing in his eyes.

“Yes, you may have a kiss.And you’re welcome. It has been a little over a month ago since I lost my mate, so go easy on me, hmm?” I implored him as he brought his lips down on mine.

Andy is the only person I have ever kissed besides Drake. I cannot compare the two. Drake’s kiss was soft and sweet. I know it was like a friend kiss, but it’s a start. “Shall we go back into the dance, or do you want to take a walk?” Drake questioned me searching for an answer.

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