Page 66 of He Claimed Her Heart

“I’m so sorry dad. No one told me.How come no one told me?” I asked him incredulously with my hands up in the air.

“We didn’t want to burden you with this.You were thrust into this ‘dating’ thing and then the poisoning thing happened. It’s a lot going on. Your mother’s been busy. She’s been busy trying to destroy both of your lives,” dad stated sadly as we started walking again towards Tom.

We continued walking in silence for a few minutes until we caught up with Tom. I wrapped my arms around his shouldersand whispered in his ear, “I’m so sorry. No one told me what happened. I wish you told me. I feel bad because of everything that’s going on. Mom is really messing up our lives. It’s not fair to you. I love you.”

He squeezed myarms and replied, “It’s not fair to you either. We’ll get through it together. I thought dad told you about my mate. I didn’t mean to yell at you. Sorry Bree,” Tom whispered to me as we hugged each other.

We walked around the training and tournament complex. Ishowed them what Drake showed me when he took me on the tour. Dad and Tom liked the pack and the territory. I didn’t show them the lake areabecause we were running out of time. We stopped at therecreation center for a talk about my replacement.

“Now, that you’ve had some time to think aboutZaria, what do you think we should do?” Tom mused as we settled down at the picnic table. Dad took out a small notebook from his pocket and started taking notes.

“Well,Zaria’s a good warrior. What’s changed in her life since I left that has caused her to go off kilter?” I inquired of dad and Tom as I was trying to figure out what could be the underlying issues of her problem.

“Well, for one thing, she’s pregnant. She’s not really focused on being a warrior anymore, she’s worrying to much about the pup she’s carrying,” Tom replied.

“Why didn’t you lead off with that. She’s needs to be put on maternity leave.Have Melanie or Bonnie take over. They would be the next ones I would call up to fill the position. What do you think?” I responded as I watched dad smirk as he wrote down their names.

“I told Alpha Bennett you wouldchoose them, but he didn’t believe me. He said I had to ask you,” dad chuckled as he put the notebook back in his pocket.

“Was this some sort of test? What’s really going on? Hmm?” I questioned dad as he still had the smirk on his face.

“Well, if you must know. We just wanted to spend some time with you. We miss you and we know it’s not safe for you at the pack house right now. So, we came up with this rouse to spend some time with you,” Dad confessed with blush covering his cheeks.

“All you had to do was ask and I would have spent some time with you. It’s not like I’mgoing away forever you know. I want to spend time with you two. I miss you both …,” I started to explain as dad’s cell phone pinged.

He looked at his phone and frowned.He showed Tom the phone and said, “Well Puddin’ it looks like we need to cut our time here short. Alpha Bennett needs us to return home. Pronto.”

I simply nodded and stood up. “Let’s walk back so you can get your things. I just want you two to be safe and careful. What’s our motto: Stay Alert, Stay Safe,” I reminded them as we walked back to Drake’s pack house.

Dad and Tom quickly got their things andsaid their goodbyes. They had to get back to take care of pack business for Alpha Bennett. I was left to my own devices. I walked around the pack house to see if I could make myself useful. I was shooed out of the kitchen. I was given weird looks when I went into the living room area, so I asked where a library was. I was told it was closed for renovations. Not knowing what else to do, I walked up the stairs to the suite. I entered the suite and went straight to my room.

I decided I would stayin my room until Drake returned so I wouldn’t be in anyone’s way. I sat in the chair by the window and watched everyone go about their day. I thought this can’t be how I would spend my day as Luna. This can’t be right. I ended up falling asleep. When I woke up it was dark outside. Drake was still not there, and I was still all alone. No one had come to check up on me nor had they come to give me an update on Drake. I was starting to get upset.

I left my bedroom and went into theliving room to wait to see if someone, anyone would come by to check up on me. I sat down on a chair with my blanket and water. I turned on a lamp, so my protective detail knew I was awake. Even they, didn’t check up on me. How odd.

The only times I got upwas to get more water or to go to the bathroom. I did get a snack from the kitchen, but I didn’t get much to eat. No one came to the door. I heard no one outside. I heard no noise outside either. I tried to mind link dad, but I didn’t get through. What in the world is going on?!

TWO DAYS! TWOFUCKING DAYS of no one coming by to see me or checking up on me. I opened the door to the suite, and no one was there. There was no one in the pack house. The pack house was quiet and still. I went back into the suite and changed into a pair of leggings, sports bra, and t-shirt. I pulled my hair into a ponytail at the nape of my neck. I put on my Nike’s and decided to see what’s going on. After all, I am a trained tracker and warrior.

I slowly made my way down the stairwell to the first floor. I noticed thatno one was present in the pack house. I listened at the door to see if anyone was outside. I made my way to the window in the living room and glanced out to assess the situation. No one was in sight. What the hell! I silently crept to the kitchen. No one was there as well. It smelled like no one had been there for at least a day.

Creeping to the back door of the pack house, I listened to seeif I heard any noise or heard any movement outside. Nothing being heard, I slowly opened the door. Not seeing anyone, I moved quickly towards the tree line to hide my movements. I noticed that nothing had been disturbed or moved around. How odd. Where was everyone?

I decided to move towards the training areas to see if everyone was there when I caught the scent of musk, lavender, and a summer rain. Could Drake have been down this way recently? I followed the scent to the tournament area. I stayed in the shadows as much as possible. I came across a large gathering of wolves, but I didn’t know what to make of it. I heard snarling, growling, and shouting. It was really hard to hear what was being said due to the noise. Then suddenly, silence reigned.

“Breonna Marie Mathis, get your ass over here right now.We’ve been waiting for you. I will not ask again,” bellowed the voice of my mother.

I came out of the shadows to gasps andsnarls. I started to walk towards a group when I was ordered by a loud voice to stop where I was and not to move another inch. That voice belonged to my Uncle Reese.

“Breonna, Do. Not. Move. Another. Inch. We are here to protect you. Do. Not. Go. Near. Her. Do you understand me?” Uncle Reese commanded as he approached with his army of wolves.

“I understand sir,” I replied as I bowed toward him as he approached me.Now, I was totally confused. My uncle was here and so was my mother. Okay, what was I missing? Could this have been the secret that was for my own good? Could this have been Drake’s little ten-minute briefing before we left our territory for his three days ago?

Uncle Reese stopped momentarily when he reached meand politely requested that I accompany him to the gathering of wolves with him. “Breonna, you will accompany me to see what has your mother’s dander up this time. Then, we will discuss why you left the safety of Drake’s suite to come look for trouble. Now, let’s go take care of Ann, shall we?” Uncle Reese stated as he motioned me with a sweep of his arm towards her and the gathering of wolves ahead.

I hung my head and replied, “Yes sir.” What could I say. I did leave the suite. But in my defense, I went in search of why no one was around. How am I going to explain it to my uncle who seems upset over it? After we settle things with my mother, I will figure something out.

My mother had a smug look on her face when we approached her group. I don’t know why, but I wanted to smack it off her face. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged home Breonna and Elder Reese. Elder Reese, what brings you here today? Slumming with the rest of us?” She sneered as she looked him up and down with disgust.

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