Page 58 of He Claimed Her Heart

“Bree, have you forgiven Elias for him marking you?” Alpha Bennett asked me.

“So, he did mark me?”I asked quietly and almost at a whisper.

“According toRufus, yes, he did. However, it was not complete. How do you feel about that?” Alpha Bennett inquired as he watched me closely.

I sat there for a few minutes shaking.You could see me visibly shaking. How do I feel about that? I’m not really sure. Where does that leave Drake? I can’t leave Drake out of the equation. I looked up at Alpha Bennett as tears started to fall and I tried to find my voice. “Where does that … what about … Drake. I can’t … Drake.” I turned around and looked at Drake who looked rather perplexed at the whole situation. Elias also had an anxious look on his face. My tears were still falling as Drake got up and kneeled in front of me.

“Bree honey, everything will be alright. I’m still here.You’re still going to spend the week with me. Calm down. It’s alright. That’s why we’re here, to figure it all out,” Drake reassured me as he wiped my tears away.

I nodded in response to him. I couldn’t really speak at the moment. I looked over at Elias who looked relieved that we were going to figure everything out.

Alpha Bennett sat back and watched the whole scene unfold in front of him.He had a grin on his face as well as my dad. “Alright, so here’s the plan going forward gentlemen. Today, the three of you will hang out and enjoy each other and have dinner together. Tomorrow, Elias you will return to your territory. Drake, you and Bree will go to your territory for your planned week together. Next weekend, we will all meet up here once again. Any questions? Good. Now, all of you, please leave my office. It’s Saturday and I’m supposed to spending some quality time with my Luna,” Alpha Bennett chuckled and stated as headed towards the door.

We all chuckled as we got up and walkedout of his office. My dad escorted Elias and Drake to their rooms. Tom walked, more like carried me, to our suite so I could get comfortable. I waited in the living room with Tom until dad got back. I don’t know why I’m surprised that Elias and Drake were with him. “So, let me ask this question, Alpha Bennett never answered it. Why were you two carrying me? Hmm? Inquiring minds want to know. Namely, me,” I snapped as dad sauntered into the living room and plopped down into a chair.

“Well, we didn’t know how steady you would be on your feet. And well, Alpha Elias told us you didn’t get a lot of sleep last night,” dad explained nonchalantly as he shrugged his shoulders.

“What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Nothing!I have never been unsteady on my feet. Never! What are you not telling me, dad!?” I demanded as I pointed my finger at him accusingly.

He looked at Tom who looked at Elias who looked at Drake who looked at Me. “Okay, well, it’s not common knowledge, but when someone receives a mark—an incomplete mark, they can become agitated, their motor skills can become compromised, and they tend to sleep like a lot. Which is why I was not surprised to see you sleeping when you arrived today.” dad explained as he watched me to gauge my response.

Agitated, well yeah, I’m agitated. Not because of the that. Because nobody is telling me the whole truth.Motor skills can become compromised. Hmm? I seemed to move around just fine earlier today. No one noticed anything out of the ordinary this morning. Is it a delayed thing or what?

As if reading my mind, dad stated, “Yes, themotor skills can become compromised over a period of 12-24 hours after the bite. So, yes, you will be carefully watched and carried for the next day or two. Sorry honey, Alphas orders.”

I let out a long sigh and closed my eyes. I leaned back on the couch.I shook my head. Before anyone could say anything or do anything I launched myself towards my bedroom. I ran into my room and slammed the door. I locked it and threw myself on the bed. My father ordered me to unlock the door. I growled and snarled at him to leave me alone. Then, I shrieked. Dad broke the door down followed by Drake and Elias.

They found mestanding at the top of my bed staring at my closet. “Dad, what happened? Who?!” was all I could muster since I was mortified that I was looking at my clothes in shreds on the floor of my closet.

Drake didn’t hesitate, he scooped me up into his arms and took me out of the room. Dad mind linked Alpha Bennett to come to the suite so he could see this for himself. Dad just stared at my closet, Elias shook his head in disbelief, and Tom started muttering to himself. Alpha Bennett arrived a few minutes later to appraise the situation. He too was stunned that someone would shred my entire wardrobe. Alpha Bennett called for his investigators to come and print the closet. He wanted to know who would dare come into the pack house and do such a thing.

In the living room, Drake was holding me on his lap. “Bree, are you alright?Why did you run into your room like that? You know you shouldn’t have done that? Right?” Drake scolded me like I was a two-year-old.

“I know, I just hate being treateddifferently. I hate being coddled. Why do these things keep happening to me? Who hates this much …? Never mind, I already know the answer to that question. I just don’t understand why she feels that way,” I mumbled as I placed my head against his shoulder.

Drake didn’t say anything. He just rubbed my back and shushed me. He tried to comfort me as much as he could at the moment. Alpha Bennett, dad, Tom, and Elias emerged from my bedroom into the living room. “Well, it appears your room is no longer a safe haven for you. We will figure out who came in and shredded your clothes. Meantime, do you have clothes to wear, or do we need to get you some?” Alpha Bennett inquired as watched me on Drake’s lap.

“I have a few outfits in my suitcase.Drake and Elias have clothes for me. So, I don’t need to go shopping for new clothes. Thank you anyway Alpha Bennett,” I answered him. “Um, in the meantime,” I started to ask him getting off of Drake’s lap, “will our plans for today change?” I inquired looking from Drake to Elias as I asked him.

“No, you can carry on like this never happened.Now, if you all will excuse me, I need to return to my prior engagement. Enjoy your afternoon,” Alpha Bennett announced as he started walking out the door.

“Thankyou, Alpha,” dad replied as he bowed after the Alpha.

“Well, smart money would be for us to go to the lake today. Seeing thatis my happy place, especially since this ‘bad thing’ happened. But I don’t want to play into someone’s plans. So, what would you suggest we do boys?” I asked with a sparkle in my eyes when I looked at them.

“Well, since you have to be watched carefullyand be taken care of, we need to stay close to the pack house. Don’t you agree Elias?” Drake mused with a gleam in his eyes.

“I agreewith you. Why don’t we retire to one of our rooms, order some pizza or something, watch movies, or play games,” Elias speculated with a wolfish grin on his face.

“I could go for that.Whose room should we go to?” I questioned once again.

“Why don’t we go to my room since you will be coming to my territory next,” Drake offeredas he got up from the couch.

“What kind of clothes do you have left to wear Bree,” inquired Elias with a sad face.

“I’m not sure. I have to go into see what’s left in my dresser. I know I don’t have anything left hanging up,” I answered him taking his outstretched hand.

We walked towards my room and peeked in.I ventured in behind Elias and Drake. We walked over to the Dresser. The dresser seemed to be left intact. I let out a little sigh. I still had my pajamas, my under garments, shorts, tops, jeans, and workout clothes. I had some things I could wear until I reached Drake’s territory. Dad got me a suitcase and I filled it with what was left of my clothes.

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