The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 27: Return to the Pack Hunter

Now that our bond is complete, I can feel Sophie's emotions, I can feel the weight of what she is taking on as her

responsibility. It's not her responsibility to bear, and the responsibility that we will be taking on isn't hers alone. We are in this together. But we will have a steep, difficult mountain to climb.

I stare into her eyes, pouring my strength and my determination. into her until she finally nods. I know she's been away for two years, and a lot has happened and changed since that time. Her being the face, or at least the name, of the revolution is going to make those who are against the change in the claiming process push that much harder against us.

"We will fight," she says.

"Yes. WE will," I confirm.

I hold her face in my hands until I feel her calm, until she takes a deep breath, and her body relaxes.

"You are not alone anymore, Sophie. And while we do have our work cut out for us, there will be positives," I say, stroking my hands down her arms. "Like seeing my family again," she says.

"Yes. And now, we'll make our stand. Anyone who doesn't agree can leave our pack. Once it's cleared and only those who agree

1651

Chapter 27: Return to the Pack

with eliminating public claimings remain, we can open our borders to all the she-wolves who are running."

She gasps, grabbing onto my arm. "But Hunter, don't you think. that means that the packs will join together and fight against us? We'd never be able to withstand that type of attack." "Yes, there will be battles. Yes, there will be fighting. But the first thing we are going to do, before we announce that our borders are open to all she-wolves on the run, is to find out who is on our side and who will stand with us. Like I said, many packs stood beside your father. I believe that some good Alphas, Alphas like Alpha Kayce and Alpha Dutton who haven't found their mates yet, may have lost their fated mates to the Alphas who are hunting the she-wolves. I think, once we explain to them that we could potentially provide a safe refuge for their mates, fated, second-chance, or chosen, that they will side with us. I don't think it has occurred to them that some of these Alphas hunting their mates have taken more than one mate. Even if the first was their fated mate, the second one surely wasn't." "You've thought a lot about this," she says, leaning into me. I can feel her respect and admiration for me through the bond. It makes me feel proud to be her mate.

I lean forward and nuzzle my nose against hers. "I know we need to head back. I know we need to leave this place. But I'm also resistant. I know once we leave, reality will set in and like you said, we'll have battle after battle on our hands. I've loved every minute of our time here together and I hope, someday, we can come back here, and remember our night together. Until then, will you stand with me, beside me, as my Luna and partner in life?"

16 51 M

Chapter 27: Return to the Pack 288 doumers

Now it's her turn to take my face in her hands. "I'm not sure I could love you any more than I already do, Hunter Reynolds. I will be proud to stand beside you to call you my Alpha, and my mate." I take her mouth in a passionate kiss, one that provides the promise of a life to come, a life where we are happy together. A new beginning for the mating of ranked wolves.

She begins whimpering, pressing against me. I reach down and grab her thighs wrapping her legs around me. I can smell her arousal and I sit her on the edge of the stone table, pulling back just enough to look at her.

"Once more before we go. I need to be inside you," I say to her.

"Yes," she breathes, guiding me to her entrance, as greedy for me as I am for her.

It's beautiful the way she wants me, her confidence that I want her and that she is safe with me. I watch her beautiful face as I thrust into her, watching her come undone for me once, twice, and then a third time before I empty myself inside her.

my mind and

say laughing and pulling. away from

to answer when Shaw pushes forward. "Absolutely not. We have an hours run back to

16.51

27 Return to

sure I can catch my little mate several times on that

up. Once that's done, I walk out the front entrance, ahead of Sophie, making sure there are no Alphas lingering in the area. When I ensure

take my time looking over Hedda's body. I stroke my fingers through her

to her. She

in front of her. "The pack is that direction. Now, run. Escape

giving her a head start?'

her,' he says confidently pulling the shift and howling his hunt

were other Alphas out

he leaps onto her back, careful not to hurt her, while pinning

1651

they mate and when he lets her up, she races off again, only to be captured by Shaw

the pack, and as we get close, I shift back, letting Sophie know that we need to slow down. Before we get

bring one of my shirts and two pairs

be right there, Alpha,'

standing, I point out the patrols to Sophie, showing her

the packhouse

can't see it from here. We'll have to secure these borders now, but from here,

should increase our patrols. I pull her to me and keep my arms wrapped around her as we talk and look over our pack. When Kinsley arrives, she hands the shirt and a

pack, Luna," she says,

I becoming good friends. From what Hunter has told me, we have a lot

to the Pack

changes that we

I mind link Lucas to join us. I want to present a

to do it? You're going up against all

publicly and share her. It's time to

eyes, and she huffs out a breath before

alongside you, Sophie

that, but I'm

head, just as her mate joins

your Little Sophie

softly. "She's Luna