The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 10: Scent Hunter

Lucas and I head to my office after morning warrior training. We walk in, ready to look over the patrols and everything else that we need to tackle today. I sit down at my desk, and he sits across from me. I noticed something different about him this morning, A spring in his step, but didn't want to ask in front of everyone. Now, however, it's just the two of us.

"Something's different. What's going on with you?" I ask.

He gives me a smug smile. "Why would you say something's different?"

"Besides the fact that you're my Beta and my best friend, I've known you for a long time. What's up?"

"Kinsley invited me to sleep in the bed with her last night."

I look at him a moment, not exactly sure how impactful this is. They've been together over a year. "Was that..."

"After I marked her, I told her she could have the bed and I would sleep on the couch until she invited me to sleep with her. Last night was the first night that she finally invited me. Nothing happened and I'm okay with that, but she let me hold her all night. I haven't felt this calm since I met her."

"Congratulations, Lucas. Seriously, I'm happy for you."

"I think you were right about giving her choices. It seems the

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more that I'm giving her options, the more open she is to including me in her life. We still have a long way to go but we took a step in the right direction last night."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it. And I hope you continue to make steps in the right direction."

We begin going through the work for the day, making sure our patrols are scheduled properly, making sure we account for our she-wolves who are no longer able to shift because of pregnancies. Unlike ranked members, the warriors and the omegas don't claim their mates publicly. So, generally speaking, once they're mated, they begin having pups right away.

It's getting close to lunchtime when Kinsley knocks on the door. I'm about to tell her to come in, but Lucas is up and heading to the door before I have a chance to. He opens the door, smiling at his mate.

"Hey Kins, come on in."

She returns the smile, and a soft blush flushes her cheeks. She

looks down a ment before looking back up at Lucas. "I needed to speak with you and Alpha Hunter for a moment," she says, stepping into my office.

"Hey Kinsley, what do you need?" I ask.

"I need to go into town tomorrow. I usually go once a month, just to make sure that our grocery bill is paid and there aren't any problems. It's never been an issue before, however, now it means I won't be able to leave food for the she-wolves because I'll be in town. I was wondering if one of you would be willing to go and leave the food and water for the she-wolves. I don't know if word has gotten out or if perhaps it's the same person

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to think

normally go in the

that that won't be possible for you. That's why I was wondering if maybe it would

around. If we're just getting the word out to she-wolves on the run,

concern with that is will they know how to find it if we move?" "Let me check it out tomorrow and see. I won't be able to go in the morning, but I'll go in the afternoon. Hopefully if

afternoon, show you where the place is, where I leave the food.

go after lunch. You usually drive

if there's anything left behind

this afternoon then. We may as well bring another

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morning, it won't be as fresh as when you leave it, but there will be food and water there for them. "That's a great idea, Alpha. I'll have another food basket put together and then I'll have lunch sent

Lucas, giving him the opportunity

mate: "I'll take lunch in my office, Kins. If you have time, you're welcome to join

looks down and blushes again. "I

in a few then," he says, gently

steps out, he turns and

I can love and dote on, someone who loves me in return. I get angry all over again about the process that we have for claiming ranked she-wolves which is impacting my ability to find

asks and my head snaps up

did you ask me

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her if she did.

growling Alpha. Is everything

and Lucas are finally finding your way together. I'm happy for you, but it frustrates me that our process has caused the problems in your relationship that it

a great mate. But speaking from experience, no matter how

and change it. I want to find my mate, but I don't want to find her

changes to the process Alpha Hunter. Truly, I have no desire to raise a daughter in this environment. To know that she would have to go through what I went through... And I was lucky enough to be mated to Lucas. He's been more patient with me than I ever expected. Many others aren't

right. "Come get me when

in the

to get to and requires someone to be smaller than an Alpha. It's going to be hard for

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"I'll manage."

I make note of where we are, breathing in the air around me,

that I don't smell any Alphas or other ranked

in bear territory?" I ask

a risk for the she-wolves, but they're out here on their own anyway. The bears are

look. It was smart of her. She's right. The ranked wolves would b**s the area once they smelled the bears, not wanting to risk an attack. Being a hunting party,