The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 3: Party 289 Woucherā

Chapter 3: Party Sophie

Something feels off. I can't figure out what it is, but the air in the room feels heavy with anticipation. Over dinner, I watch my sister as she gets to know her new mate. My parents seem to relax, and my mother even smiles at Calvin.

I'm glad that Alpha Hunter said Alpha Calvin is a good man. I hope he will appreciate my sister.

att

I spare a glance over at the broody Alpha. He has been very kind to me, but there is an anger buried inside him, I can feel it.

Rather than scaring me, as it probably should, it excites me. He looks more deadly, more intimidating, more s**y.

As dinner winds down, I notice my sister getting fidgety, nervous. I frown. My sister never gets nervous.

Alpha Calvin reaches over to cover her hands with his. "Amelia, it looks like there is a dance floor set up for dancing. Would you like to dance tonight? It is your birthday, after all." She nods, smiling softly. "I enjoy dancing."

"As do I. But I will say that the only other male that I will permit to dance with you tonight is your father."

"Thank you," she says.

He strokes her cheek in a very intimate gesture. "I want tonight to be as pleasant as possible for you." 2054

Chapter 3: Party

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It feels as if there is an undertone to his words, something that I don't understand. Since my mother hasn't given me 'the talk', I have to go by what I've heard from the mated females in the pack. I've heard that the first time can be quite painful, so maybe that's what Alpha Calvin is referencing.

When Calvin stands from the dinner table, taking Amelia's hand and pulling her to her feet, I feel the strange energy in the room ratchet up again. Everyone gets quiet and turns to stare of Alpha Calvin and Amelia.

"For anyone who would like to enjoy dancing, there is a dance floor available. My mate is off limits to anyone who values their life. As I mentioned earlier, if you don't like the pace that I am setting tonight, feel free to leave.

basically turned over the direction of the evening to Alpha Calvin, as has my mother. I would think that my father would be leading this,

Hunter, staring straight at me. I feel my cheeks heat, and I quickly look away, but not

as the tables are moved back, I step out of the way, and into the warm, hard chest of someone. I look over my shoulder and see Alpha Hunter. "Alpha Sophie, may I have this dance?" he

and look across the room where he was sitting only moments ago. How did he even

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raised in question, a smile twitching at his lips again. He finds

father, who is staring at Alpha Hunter. Alpha Hunter doesn't look away from me, but my father turns his head to me. and nods. I turn to face the Alpha. "Thank you, Alpha Hunter. I'd be honored to dance with you," I

smile widens and he nods, putting his arm out for me, very formally. I take his arm and see that Alpha Calvin has done the same with my sister. As we pass, Alpha Hunter stops and leans in to say something quietly to my father. I can't hear what he says since the music has started, but my father looks at him

say. 'How old do you think

too old, early 20's

dance,

chance to dance with

"Meaning, I'm your first Alpha, other than your father, whose arms you've

with the

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Chapter 3: Party

answering, I nod.

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it, shall we?" he asks, before wrapping his arm around me to take my hand and spin me around. My smile is instant. Alpha Hunter likes

skills as a graceful dancer. She and I have been taking dancing lessons for years. At first, I hated it, until our instructor helped me to realize that I need to feel the music, let

quite as accomplished as I am. What he doesn't know is that my

me around the room, making sure that I don't stumble, catching me easily

and I know my cheeks are now rosy from the dance. "Excuse

looking over my left shoulder.

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about his aura. It's not directed at me, it's directed at this Alpha. I'm not sure why, but Alpha Hunter has been nothing

my right side. I look at Alpha Hunter, not sure why I feel the need to get his permission, his approval. He looks at me and

passes me off. Kayce spins me away, not quite as good of a dancer as Hunter. When I turn, I see Alpha Hunter standing

I ask, worriedly. I don't

Hunter