Page 14 of He Claimed Her Heart

My tears were threatening to pour so I turned on my heal and left the room.Andy’s parents were right behind me as were my brother and father. As I reached our suite, I plopped down on the couch and buried my face into the cushion as the tears poured. I couldn’t believe what had just taken place. People who knew me questioned me. Questioned my integrity, questioned my loyalty.

Once we were all in the living room, dad brought in a bottle of wine withglasses. “I think we all could use a little wine right now, even you Bree.”

I didn’t say a word. I just drank it.I took small sips. I didn’t say very much, I just sat there looking off into space. Everyone seemed to notice that I needed some time to process everything, so they let me be. Betas Edward and Angela came over and said goodbyes and thanked me before they left. I promised them, I would be there for Andy’s funeral.

Dad came over andput his arm around my shoulders. “Are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat?” dad asked in a soothing voice.

“No, I’m not very hungry.I just feel drained. Maybe I should go to bed for a while,” I suggested as I slowly got up off the couch.

“May I escort you to your room. You seem to be a little unsteady on your feet,” dad chuckled as he helped me walk to my room.

“Yeah, it must be the wine you gave meto drink. Dad, can I ask you a question?” I asked as we continued to walk towards my room.

“Sure, you know you can ask me anything. What’s up,” he inquired as we reached my room.

“What am I going to do now? Now that my mate has been killed?” I mewled.

“Well, you can stay here with us. You didn’t finish the mating process, so you didn’t join his pack. So, you are still a member of this pack. Did you want to join his pack?” Dad asked quietly as if he was afraid to say the words out loud.

“No, I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to get kicked out or anything.I like living here. So, I can stay and keep the job that Alpha Bennett gave me before I met Andy?” I shyly inquired secretly hoping the answer was yes.

“Of course. The job was offered to you, and you accepted it. It’s your job.Now, why don’t you go lie down for a while. I’ll bring you something to eat after a while. Alright?” dad mused.

“Thanks dad. Love you,”I said as I stood on my tippy toes to kiss him on the cheek.

“Love you too. Now, rest up,” he replied with a sigh.

I entered my roomand plopped down on the bed face first. I got up and changed my clothes. I got into my most comfortable pajamas. I couldn’t believe that I lost my mate and killed the one who planned it today. It seemed like fate was not on my side today. I slid under the covers and cried. I cried myself to sleep.

I slept off and on. I couldn’t stay asleep for more than an hour and a half. I felt tormented and betrayed. I remembered Andy’s touch around my waist, on my arms, behind my head, on my lips, and on my face. It felt so incredible. Then, I feel the betrayal of Tatum. How could he think he could kill my mate because he was in love with me? It didn’t make sense.

I got out of bed. I took the comforter off the bed and brought it with me to the chair beside the window. I wrapped myself up in a cocoon and sat down in the chair. I watched as everyone went about their day outside. Everyone seemed happy, but me. I was miserable. I couldn’t bring myself to care for anyone or anything. I stayed there for the entire day. Dad and Tom came by to check on me and to offer food. I would pick at whatever they brought, but I just couldn’t eat.

I driftedback off to sleep. I had a weird dream, but was it really a dream? Andy came to me in my room and sat down beside me on the chair.

“Hello beautiful. Why are you so sad?”he mused as he ran his hand down my face.

“You died and I killed the one responsible for it. I miss you so much.I feel so empty.” I sobbed as I explained this to him.

“I’m sorry we didn’t have more time together, but this was meant to be.You were destined to be with another. I wasn’t meant to be with you forever. I know it hurts, but I need you to let go of your pain. I will be watching over you and helping you whenever I can. But the person you were destined for will be revealed to you soon. I want you to be happy. I don’t like seeing you sad or crying,” he reassured me as he picked me up and placed me on his lap.

“I promise I will try to do better. It just hurts. I just feel so empty. When will that feeling go away?” I inquired one more time as I rested my head on his shoulder breathing in his scent.

“You will start to feel better soon. But,just start with baby steps first, then you’ll get there. Mm, you smell so good,” he stated as he took in my scent. “I have to go now my love.”

“May I have a kiss before you leave?” I begged as I looked into his blue eyes.

“Yes, you most certainly may have a kiss. I thought you’d never ask,” he chuckled as he kissed me gently and then passionately.

As the kiss ended, I awoke to kissing the pillow I was holding. Was the dream real? Then, I smelled it, pine, and musk. He had to have been here. I put the pillow down and decided to get up and take a shower. I’m not really sure what time it is or what day it is. All I know is that I needed to get my but in gear and stop the pity party.

As I came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, my dad was coming through my door. He was carrying a tray of food. “Oops, sorry. I just wanted to check on you and bring you something to eat. Are you alright? Do you need anything?” dad inquired as he placed the tray on the table beside the chair next to the window.

“No, I don’t need anything. What time is it?Is this the day of Andy’s funeral?” I whispered as I approached my closet to retrieve my clothes.

“Yes, it’s the day of his funeral. It’s actually 1:30 in the afternoon. I was going to wake you up and tell you to start getting ready for his funeral.How are you feeling?” Dad wondered aloud uncertain how he should ask me that question.

“I’m okay, I guess. I feel slightly betterthan before. I decided that I can’t live in my pity party forever, so I got up and took a shower. I feel better. I’ll be ready shortly dad. Thank you for brining me something to eat. I really do appreciate it,” I replied to him as I held the towel closed around my front.

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