Page 15 of He Claimed Her Heart

“Let mego so you can get dressed. I’ll see you shortly. Love you, Puddin’,” dad comforted as he left my room.

I quickly got dressedin a navy blue semi-casual skirt outfit for Andy’s funeral. It was, after all, my mate’s funeral. I needed to dress the part. I sat down in my chair and ate the sandwich my dad brought with the potato salad. I went back into the bathroom to address my hair and make-up. Once done, I exited my room. I found Tom and dad in the living room waiting for me. They too were dressed in a navy blue semi-casual outfit. Tom came over and gave me a bear hug.

“Hey sis. I’m glad you’re doing better. Let me know what you need. I’m here for you,” he comforted me as he released me from his hold.

“My turn,” dad said as hewrapped me up in a giant bear hug. “Are you ready for the funeral?”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied as I took a deep breath.

We walked out the front door and got into our SUV. Alpha Bennett and Luna Sophia were getting into their vehicle as well. They would be going to the funeral as well. The drive was long, but I needed it to compose myself. I would be attending the funeral of not only my mate, but of everyone else who lost their lives that day.

We arrived at the White River Pack house tosee Betas Edward and Angela waiting for us. We were warmly greeted with hugs and kisses. Even though this was a somber occasion, they were happy to see me. I was just glad that I had dad and Tom there to help me out. I didn’t know if I could handle today or not.

We followed them to where the funerals were taking place. It was a large gathering.I couldn’t help but notice almost every eye on me. It felt weird to see everyone watching me. As we came to our place, I saw Andy in his casket. I froze. Dad had to take me to my place. I couldn’t move. Alpha Blaine asked the families if they wanted to come up to their loved ones to say goodbye before they closed the caskets, they could do so. I walked with Edward and Angela over to Andy. He looked like he was sleeping.

“It’s alright Bree. You can touch him,” Edward offered as we stood by the coffin.

I lifted my shaking hand to his face. I caressed his beautiful face. I brought my fingers to my lips and kissed them. Then, I brought them down to his lips. “I love you even though we had a short time together. I will never forget you.” I wept as I placed the red rose, I was holding in his hand. I stepped back and returned to my place next to my father as tears started to roll down my face.

Betas Edward and Angela came to stand next to me as the service began. Alpha Blaine began the service by expressing his heartfelt condolences for everyone’s loss. He then noted that the perpetrator that planned the attack had been caught and taken care of by none other than Andrew Silvers mate, Breonna Mathis, daughter of the Beta of the Blackhawk Pack. Howls and cheers rose at that announcement. The service continued and all caskets were lowered into the ground. We waited for the last of the sand to cover his casket before we left.

While we were walking back to the pack house, a few family members who lost loved ones during the attack came up to thank me fortaking care of the traitor. I really couldn’t say anything, so I simply nodded. Beta Edward spoke for me. “Bree is still mourning the loss of Andy. She gave us the heart of the person responsible for the attack. We are all grateful to her for helping us put this tragedy behind us,” he consoled them as well as me with his words.

They simply nodded and thanked me again. Ihalf-sad smiled at them. I am still not at the point where I am can fully smile yet and mean it. We walked back to the reception being held in our loved ones honor. Once we arrived, everyone stood and cheered or howled. I stopped dead in my tracks. I held my head up high. Then, I stepped forward and bowed to everyone present as a sign of respect.

This only intensified theirwave of enthusiasm. Alpha Blaine sensing my dilemma, called for everyone’s attention, “Silence! We are overwhelming Bree. She is still mourning the loss of Andy. Words cannot express our level of gratitude for her taking care of the person responsible for this tragedy. Let’s see if she has any words, she would like to share with us. Hmm?”

“I am truly sorry for your loss. I am thankful that I was able to take care of the person responsible since he betrayed me personally and then betrayed you as well. Please accept my apology for his actions,” I pleaded as the tears slowly started to roll down once again.

“I think I speak for usall; you have nothing to apologize for my dear. You took care of him, and I am forever grateful to you for that,” replied a family member as they approached me for a hug.

We hugged each other for a few minutes. Each of us crying on each other’s shoulder.We were a sight to see. The other family members came up to us for their turn to hug me and to say thank you as well. Edward and Angela were the last two to come up. This was our closure.

CHAPTER 4

Training and the Tournament

We returned home shortly before midnight. I had one more day before we began our training for the tournament. Alpha Bennett chose the participants for the tournament—Males: Carlton, Marcus, Javier, and Devlin. Females—Me, Zaria, Melanie, and Bonnie.

Training would be divided into human and wolf form. Both would consist of strength and endurance. We would alternate days between human and wolf to break up the monotony of training. I wanted us to be ready for anything and everything. I wanted us to not only place, but possibly win. I know it was ambitious of me, but what can I say, I am ambitious. I couldn’t wait to start training to see if we could actually win or place this year.

Monday morning rolled around and when everyone met, we were all nervous. I wasn’t the only one.Was that a good thing? I hoped it was. “Good morning, everyone,” I said as I looked at all nine of my fellow participants. “Are we ready to get started to win the tournament?”

“Yes, we are!” they all answered together.

“Okay, so you got my plan onhow I want us to train. Any questions?” I inquired as I looked at each one.

“I have a quick question,” Zaria announced. “will we strictly be human all day or will we switch up half and half?”

“Good question. I thought I would ask you all if you had a preference. My preference would be to switch it up from time to time.What do you all think,” I questioned them.

“I like the idea of switching it up,” Marcus replied.

“So do I,” replied Bonnie.

“Me too,” Melanie replied.

“Carlton, Javier,and Devlin? What do you think?” I asked them once again.

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