Claimed, but not by my Mate

Chapter Seven

“So where are we going?” Carrie asked, slipping into the passenger side of the car as Connie slid into driver’s seat. I opted for the back to start with so I had no issue with it.

“That depends on what you want to do.” I replied.

“I want to shop.” She said excitedly and I laughed shaking my head. She was acting more like a teenager then I was right now.

“Then to the mall we go.” I said and Connie smiled at me in the rear view mirror but I ignored it staring out the window as Carrie talked on and on.

“What do you think hun?” Connie asked and I cringed at the endearment but nodded, not realizing what I had agreed to.

“Great then bungee jumping it is!” Carrie said and I looked at her wide eyed. She laughed at my expression and shook her head. “You really need to pay more attention dear. It’s not good to zone out like that. It can lead to bad things happening.”

I gave her a confused look but shrugged and attempted to pay more attention to the conversation. I lasted all the way until the parking lot. Carrie got out before the car even stopped.

“Excited much?” I laughed getting out.

“I’ve missed sixteen years of getting to spoil you rotten. If I can’t be excited to spend some time with my granddaughter then there is something wrong with this world.” She said and pulled me into a hug. I laughed and hugged her back. Who knew I could have such a cool grandma.

“I suppose there is.”

“Well then let’s go.” She said and took my hand, pulling me eagerly to the mall.

“Carrie!” I exclaimed several hours later. We had been hitting store after store and she was trying to force me into a little black dress right now.

“Come on please.” She said giving me a puppy dog look.

“Haven’t you spent enough on me already?”

“Just this last one then I’ll stop. Promise” She said pleading me with her eyes. I sighed and took the dress into the back.

“How many items?” The board clerk asked, not even looking up from his paper.

“Just one.” I told him and he sighed before handing me a metal plate with the number one on it and waving me in the back.

“Choose a room.”

I did as he said and slipped into one of the dressing rooms after making sure it was empty. Changing out of my clothes and slipping the dress over my head. It hugged my body tightly and I pulled at the fabric, feeling uncomfortable in it. I didn’t like clothes tight but I was doing this for Carrie. Sighing I unlocked the door to find Carrie and Connie already waiting. Connie gasped as I walked out, tears forming in her eyes, her hand covering her mouth. Carrie scrutinized me until her eyes suddenly sparked and she dashed back into the store.

“You look so beautiful. So grown up.” Connie said, her eyes shining with tears ready to spill. Suddenly they did begin to spill. “I’m so sorry Braize. I couldn’t tell you. I wanted to but they made me swear not to. They said it would be so much safer for you to not to know that telling you would make you more cautious and bring more attention to you. I couldn’t tell you, not after I held you for the first time. You were still so innocent and I could never imagine losing you.”

I pulled her into a hug and let her cry into my shoulder until I noticed Carrie peak around the corner. Laughing silently I pulled her to arms length.