Page 62 of He Claimed Her Heart

Iheld Drake’s hand as he drove. I drew imaginary pictures on the back of it and then kissed them after I finished each one. Drake just laughed at my antics. The scenery was nice, but riding in a car for over four hours was Bbooorrrrriiiinnnngggg with a capital B. I forgot to pack a book to read along the way. We stopped for a break, and I noticed it was at the same rest stop we stopped on the way home after the tournament. I smiled when I recognized the rest area.

Drake came around and opened my door for me. We walked hand-in-hand towards the restrooms. “See you in a few minutes honey,” Drake announced before he entered the men’s restroom.

“Okay, see you in a few minutes,” I replied over my shoulder as I entered the women’s restroom. I finished my business and came out to find Drake waiting patiently for me. He held out his hand for me and we began to walk towards some picnic tables. We perched ourselves against a table and Drake couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around me and passionately kissing me.

“I wanted to kiss you like that all day. Just too many people around for me to do it,” Drake explained as he nuzzled in the crook of my neck inhaling my cherries and chocolate scent. “I cannot get enough of your scent. You smell so damned good,” he mused more to himself than to me.

I enjoyed having his arms around me and mine around him. It felt right. It felt natural. I never wanted to let go of him. All too soon, he announced we had to get back on the road again. I didn’t release him just yet. I looked him in the eyes and said, “I want one more kiss first before we leave, please. One like you gave me when we first came up here.”

The grinthat he displayed before claiming my lips was dazzling as was the kiss itself. I was left breathless. He had to pick me up and carry me back to the SUV. I literally couldn’t stand up after that kiss he gave me. Wow! Even my toes were curled on that one. Drake and his wolf was satisfied that I had been properly kissed because his eyes glowed as he placed me in the SUV.

We arrived at his territory shortly after the noon hour.I was surprised at the number of people to greet us at their pack house. Drake came around to open my door with a cheesy grin on his face. “Are you ready for this my love?” he asked as helped me down and kissed my lips much to everyone’s delight.

“Ready or not, here we go,” I replied with a grin of my own as Drake wrapped his arm around my waist.

Drake led us towards hispack house and awaiting Beta. I could tell that Drake was a little nervous about what his Beta had planned for us this afternoon. As we approached Beta Charles, we were met with howls and cheers of joy. Drake relaxed as Beta Charles announced, “Welcome home Alpha Drake. Lady Breonna, we hope you enjoy your stay enough that you would want to make our pack your permanent home.” More cheers and howls were heard after his announcement.

Drakeheld up his hand to quiet the crowd gathered. “Beta Charles, thank you for the welcome committee, but I couldn’t agree more with your speech,” Drake chimed in as he drew me closer to him and added, “I truly hope you feel at home here Bree.” He leaned in and kissed me again.

After the kiss, I was sure my face was as red as a tomato.I looked into his emerald, green eyes and replied, “I already feel at home in your arms.”

Without hesitation, Drake swept me up into his armsand twirled me around. “You mean it? You already feel like you’re at home?” Drake demanded as he put me down.

“Yes, I do,” I whispered against his ear as he held me close to him. I wanted to tell him about this morning, but I didn’t want to get his hopes up just to have it fall apart if something were to happen. Knowing my psychotic mother, she would find a way to interfere in my life and ruin everything. I was going to enjoy everything I could while it lasted. I was going to enjoy Drake while I could.

When Drake allowed me to stand next to him, he had the biggest smile on his face. I don’t think anything could have wiped the smile off his face. Beta Charles walked over to us and announced, “Lunch is served in the dining room. Please follow me.”

I wasn’t sure what to make ofthe announcement. Drake had his arm securely wrapped around my waist. He escorted me to the dining room followed by everyone else. We walked in to find more people already there and waiting for us. Drake walked us over to ‘our spot’ at the head table. He held my chair for me. I sat down next to him, and we waited for everyone to enter.

Drake was about tosay something when Beta Charles stood up and announced, “Alpha Drake, with your permission, today we are welcoming Lady Breonna back into our mist. We are hopeful that she finds our alpha and pack one that she cannot live without. Welcome Home Lady Breonna.”

I was sure my face was crimson by now. I have never liked being the center of attention, but this was too much. Drake saw my discomfort and I guess he mind linked his Beta that I was becoming uncomfortable with all the attention. Drake placed his hand on my thigh under the table to help calm me down which helped me out tremendously. I leaned into him and whispered a ‘thank you’ to him.

Lunch was a simple meal of pasta, salad, and bread sticks. It struck me of the meal I hadon the night I met Andy. I looked at my plate. I couldn’t eat anything. I excused myself and ran to the restroom. I locked myself inside, sat down, and cried. I don’t know why I had that reaction.

Next thing I know, Drake is knocking on the door, “Bree,are you alright? Why are you crying? What’s wrong? How can I help you?”

“I’m alright.I’ll be out in a few minutes,” I cried out as I wiped my tears away. I don’t know why I’m so emotional right now. Then it hit me. The partial marking is causing me to be overly excitable right now. My emotions are all over the place, not to mention it’s also that time of the month. When I finally opened the door, Drake stood there with a confused look on his face.

“Are you alright?What happened?” Drake started asking me again.

I had to come clean with him. “Drake, can I talk to you outside for a few minutes. I need to explain a few things to you,” I asked him as he looked at me with worry dripping from his face.

“Of course, come on. Let’s go out back,” Drake said as he tookmy hand and led me outside. Drake took a path towards the training grounds where no one was this time of day. “What’s going on Bree. You have me worried,” Drakesighed as we continued to walk.

“I know I’m an emotional mess right now. It’s because of the partial marking and it’s that time of the month. I don’t really feel totally fantastic at the moment. One minute I feel great, the next I feel like hell. I don’t know how to explain it. Right now, I just feel overwhelmed and like I just want to cry. It doesn’t make sense really,” I tried to explain to Drake who had a confused look on his face.

“I wish I could help you. The only time I heard of something like that was when a she-wolf was in heat, but you can’t be in heat because you’re not mated. Wait, maybe the partial marking awakened the hormones and is putting you in heat early. Let’s get you to the doctor to find out, shall we?” Drake all but demanded as he whisked me towards the pack hospital.

On the way, he called Alpha Bennett to apprise him of the situation.He told him he would keep him updated after we visited the doctor. Upon arrival at the pack hospital, Drake was asked to wait outside the room while I was asked a lot of very personal questions and I do mean very personal questions. After my full medical history was given and the doctor had a phone conversation with my pack doctor, they concluded that I was in partial heat.

What the hell people! How can I be in partial heat?I kept thinking this as I am waiting for Drake to calm down so we can hear how I can be treated and continue this week. “First, it’s not as bad as it sounds,” stated Dr. Banks as he tried to calm Drake down.

“Not as bad as it sounds?! It sounds pretty bad to me. She’s in heat!” bellowed Drake as he watched me sitting on the exam table.

“Yes, nowas I was saying. It’s not that bad. She only appears to have the hormonal side effects. Meaning, she will do a lot of crying or laughing. That sort of thing. She’s supposed to be on her cycle this week, but it appears to be delayed due to the heat. Which might be a good thing. We will keep an eye on her. In the meantime, she can go and continue with what she was doing,” Dr. Banks stated as he walked over to the door. “Enjoy your stay with us Lady Breonna.”

“Thank you, Dr.Banks. I will definitely do my best. Drake, can we leave now? I really want to eat something. I’m kind of hungry,” I explained as I got down from the exam table and walked over to him.

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