Page 18 of He Claimed Her Heart

I walked out of the room with them to meet my dad and Tom in the living room.I was met with a wolf whistle from Tom and a gasp from dad.

“You look amazing,” dad announced. “I knew that was the dress for tonight as soon as I saw you in it,”

“Wow! You are going to turn heads tonight,” Tom exclaimed as looked me over from head to toe.

“Thank you for your praise. Veronica and Millie did a great job getting me ready,” Iadvised them with a huge smile.

“Alright. Let’s get going. We don’t want to be late. May I escort you to the car my dear?”dad gushed as he looked like he couldn’t be prouder at that moment.

“Thank you, dad,” I replied.

We walked down to the SUV waiting for us. We took the short drive to the White River Packhouse. It was bustling with activity. We didn’t have to worry about parking. Our vehicle drove right up to the front, we were escorted out and into the building without further ado. We were met by Alpha Blaine and Luna Yvonne. Everyone looked incredible. If this is what they call semi-casual, I’d like to know what they call formal.

We were escorted to the banquet hall.Still, I have yet to hear why I was there or what the big event was. We all stood outside the doors with Alpha Blaine, Luna Yvonne, Alpha Bennett, Luna Sophia, Dad, Tom, and Myself. I heard Beta Edward start his speech.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the White River Pack. Please join me in welcoming Alpha Blaine and Luna Yvonne with special guest Alpha Bennett and Luna Sophia of the Blackhawk Pack.” With that the doors opened, and they stepped through. We were instructed not to move, so we didn’t. Cheers and howls were heard on the other side of the door.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight I am honored to have as our special guest a young lady whom we are honoring tonight for her incredible fortitude and strength. Please direct your attention to the main doors. Please welcome Beta Theodore Mathis and his son Thomas, along with his daughter whom we are honoring tonight, Breonna Mathis.” The doors opened, and we walked through. I was between dad and Tom. I was escorted to the place of honor. The cheers and howls grew louder as we walked to our table. I couldn’t help but think about what he said, fortitude and strength. What did he mean by that?

“Before we have our meal, I would like to make a presentation. Breonna, would you please join me in the middle of the dance floor?” Alpha Blaine asked as he held his hand out for me to take.

“Yes, Alpha,” I replied as I placed my hand in hisas I walked with him to the middle of the dance floor.

“Breonna, we are all aware of the events that led up to the attack on our pack and the deaths of the five warriors including your mate. However, when it came time to dispense justice to that individual, you did not hesitate. You acted. I know because I was there. When he said he didn’t want to hurt you and you told him that he already did and how it felt. I couldn’t help but think it was poetic justice that you ripped his heart out. You may not think what you did was anything big or to be celebrated, but we disagree. We took that heart, and had it made into a statue as a reminder of what happens when you betray your pack. That is not why you are here tonight. You are here tonight because we wish to honor you with a special gift if you will. We want to make the day of the attack a holiday for us in your honor to show what dedication and honor to one’s pack means. You protected not only your pack, but you avenged our pack when you took Tatum’s life that day. For that, we will forever be in your debt,” Alpha Blaine finally finished explaining to me and everyone else present.

A holiday for me for killing Tatum. He said he loved me a for a long time and that I should have been his mate, not Andy’s. So, he got with a few friends and decided to have Andy killed. Now, I have a holiday in my honor. I don’t know what to think about that. Tears are forming in my eyes as Alpha Blaine explained why I was summoned.

“Thank you, Alpha Blaine,” I gushed as a few tears made their way down my cheeks. “I don’t know what to say.”

“My dear, we also wanted to express to you that we want you to be happy. We know that you knew Andy for only a short time, but the connection was real. You know, he came to all of us in a dream. Yeah, all of us. It totally blew my mind. He told us that he came to you and held you the day before the funeral. He told you no more tears and to be happy. Also, that you two were not meant to be together forever. You were going to meet someone in the near future who would be your future. He wanted us to help ease your burden and not judge you or make you feel like you were cheating on him. Does that make sense?” Alpha Blaine inquired as he put his arm around my shoulders.

“Yes, yes it does. When he told me that I was going to meet someone soon who wouldwant to be a part of my future, I told him it was too soon. I told him I would feel like I was cheating on him,” I added as more tears started to flow.

“No, my dear. You will have our support. Like we saidbefore, you will always be considered our daughter even though you did not complete the mate bond. We will support you in this endeavor. Angela and I will help you in whatever way we can,” Edward professed as he wrapped me up into a hug along with Angela.

Cheers and howls were heard in the banquet hall. I guess I had everyone’s approval fordating in the near future. Although, I didn’t feel the need to do so.

As the cheers and howls died down, Alpha Blaine continued, “We also needed to bring to your attention a list of which your name has appeared,”

“A list? What list?” Ihesitated as I continued to dab at the tears.

“There is a list of Alphas whoare unmated who need to find a mate in order to carry on their bloodline. If they do not find a mate by the time they reach a certain age, they must find someone to take over their pack. There are 15 Alphas on that list. There are 10 females of alpha and beta bloodlines on the list of possible candidates for them to choose from. The list was created of those who have either lost their mates or have not found them. Your name appears on the list. We wanted you to become aware of it. Alpha Bennett became aware of it this afternoon,” Alpha Blaine advised with frown on his face.

“A list of unmated Alphas to choose from unmated females who have lost their mates? Who created this list?! I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped. I apologize. Please forgive me,” I stated as I bowed my head at Alpha Blaine.

“No worries my dear. I’d bea little miffed too if my name appeared on a list such as this. But I think you know this person who created this list. Elder Reese of the High Council created the list,” Alpha Blaine announced.

“He didn’t. Why would he?” I askedincredulously with wide eyes. He was my uncle. Shouldn’t he have at least asked me first.

“Alright, enough of the drama.Are you alright my dear? Are we good?” Offered Alpha Blaine as he tried to gauge my temperament.

“Yes, Alpha. I’m fine. My apologies once again,”I begged forgiveness as I bowed.

“Alright then. Let’s eat and then, let’s dance and enjoy the evening,” Alpha Blaine announced.

I was led back to myspot at the head table after Edward and Angela hugged me again. I looked at dad and Tom as I sat back down. By the looks on their faces, they didn’t know about the list either. I think dad was going to have a nice long talk with his brother about that list shortly. We enjoyed our dinner, and we danced the night away.

Thefollowing week proved to be very interesting. Our training was stepped up a notch when our participants went up against our warriors. With our new techniques in place, we won easily. Alpha Bennett was pleased to say the least. He decided we should incorporate some of those techniques into our regular training. Our training was going smoothly. Everyone was feeling great. There was just one problem. Once that list became public knowledge, everyone kept asking me about it. It was a distraction I couldn’t afford. We held our training in closed quarters.

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