Page 70 of He Claimed Her Heart

Every so often, Tom and I would look at each other and shrug our shoulders. Tom had to reject his mate which meant he would have to choose a mate if he wanted to have a mate and be happy like me. Suddenly, Tom got a whiff of something enticingly delicious. He got up and followed the scent until he came upon a petite brunette girl name Holly. “Mate!” growled Tom as he approached her.

“Mate!” she huskily growled as shegot closer to Tom.

Tom held her close inhaling her scent and softly talking to her. They talked softly to each other for a few minutes before coming back over to the family table where he introduced her to everyone. I was so happy for him that he got a second chance at happiness.

I kept looking around for Drake or any sign of Elias. I didn’t see either of them. I asked dad if he saw them? Dad said they were here a few minutes ago. Uncle Bennett said Drake went to double something or another. He should be right back. I sighed and continued to just sit there and pretend to be happy.

The music started playing and people started getting up to dance. The DJ was taking requests and it was a fun atmosphere for everyone, except me. I had a sense of dread ever since they told me my mate had been chosen for me that I didn’t get to choose. Not that I wanted to choose between Elias and Drake because that was going to be hard. But still, wasn’t I supposed to be the one to choose?

I heard the songThe Loco-Motionby Grand Funk Railroad starting Tom grabbed my hand and said, “You promised you’d dance if it came on, so let’s go.”

“I’m coming. Geez,” I said.I started to sway to the music as two hands wrapped around my hips and squeezed gently. I had half a mind to turn around and say something, but I didn’t say anything. I just enjoyed the song and his touch. When the song was over, I turned to face him and give him what for when my breath hitched.

Our eyes met andwe said, “Mate!” at the same time. Drake instantly wrapped his arms around me. He drew me close and inhaled my cherries and chocolate scent while I inhaled his luscious scent of musk, lavender, and a hint of a summer rain. The tingles as we touched, we wonderful.

“I should have known we were meant to be when we first met because it felt natural. You felt like home to me,” Drake mused softly in my ear so no one but me could hear.

“Mhm,” I replied as I heard snickers and chuckles from around us. I pried myself from his hold and turned to face my family who had grins and smirks on their faces. “What? What is so funny?” I inquired of them who were looking at us like we were the funniest things on earth.

“I thought you were upset with Alpha Drake, Bree,” questioned my dad with a wolfish grin on his face.

“I am upset with him, but I’m not going to discuss it with him in public. That would not be very respectfulnow, would it? But it doesn’t explain all of you and your chuckling, now does it?” I demanded as I looked at all of them while still in Drake’s hold.

“Now don’t betoo upset with us Bree. We’re just happy that you found your mate, your second chance mate. Not everyone gets one. It seems the Moon Goddess has blessed you and Tom with a second chance mate. Will you forgive us?” pleaded Uncle Reese with his arm around Aunt Jenny.

“Yes, I can forgive you all, but I do have one question. How did you know he was my second chance mate?Hmm?” I asked him with a confusion in my voice.

Uncle Reese simply shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I cannot reveal my sources. Some mysteries cannot be explained.”

Drakewhispered in my ear, “Don’t worry about it. Okay?”

Suddenly, I rememberedthat Elias was still out there somewhere, and he didn’t know that Drake and I were mates. “What about Elias?” I started to say but I was cut off by Uncle Bennett.

“Oh, he found his mate earlier. Her name is Elaine. They will be along in a few minutes. They needed to oh, here they come,” Uncle Bennett explained to us all as Elias and Elaine approached hand-in-hand.

“Hey everyone. Hi Bree. I was looking for you earlier. I wanted to introduce you to my mate, Elaine. Elaine, this is Breonna Mathis. Bree, this is Elaine Stafford, my mate,” Elias introduced us with a blush staining his cheeks.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elaine. I’m glad Elias found his mate.May I introduce you to his brother, my mate. Elaine, this is Alpha Drake, my mate his fraternal twin brother,” I explained as they shook hands. Elias only grinned as it dawned on him what I said.

“No wayman! You’re her mate?” a very confused and happy Elias hugged his brother.

“As it turns out, yeah. I’m her second chance mate and she’s mine. What are the odds? Huh?” Drake stated as he wrapped his arm around my waist with a huge smile.

“Elias, have you met the rest of my family yet?” I asked himas he was still trying to comprehend that Drake and I were actually mates.

“Your family? Yes, I’ve met your dad and brother,” Elias stated as if I’ve lost my mind.

“No, I mean the rest of my family? Since we will be family, you need to be introduced to the rest of them. The family tree was revealed earlier today. Would you like to meet everyone?” I inquired with a smirk on my face?

“Um, sure. Why not. How many relatives are we talking?” Elias asked Drakeas he came to stand next to him.

“Well, you might be surprised,” Drake replied as he continued to hold onto me.

“Alpha Elias and Luna Elainemay I present my family,” as I said that they all stepped forward in one massive step forward. “Elder Reese and Aunt Jenny, Alpha Blaine and Luna Yvonne, Alpha Bennett and Luna Sophia, Tom and Holly, his new mate, and of course, my dad.”

“So, Elder Reese, Alpha Blaine, and Alpha Bennett are your uncles?”Elias asked incredulously.

“Yes, we are.Her father who should have been an alpha all along is taking over Alpha Lorenzo’s pack. Breonna is of Alpha blood line, not Beta as everyone assumed. Do you have any questions, pup?” growled Uncle Reese to Elias who paled at his reply.

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