The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 29: Names Lucas

"I can't believe you broke his nose and who knows how many ribs, Kinsley," I say, equally shocked and impressed by my mate.

She stares down at his unconscious, bl**dy body with her hands on her hips, her chest expanding and contracting with the effort of dragging his dead weight past the pack's borders.

"He was a lascivious, arrogant p**k. He knew better than to look at me like that in front of you, but that didn't mean that he didn't look at me like he was remembering seeing my naked body every chance he got.

I step up to her, taking her face in my hand, gritting my teeth. when she flinches away from my touch. "Why didn't you tell me?"

She turns away from me, wrapping her arms around her body. "You want the truth?"

"Yes," I say softly, knowing I won't like whatever it is she has to

say.

"I didn't trust you to do anything about it."

put my hands on my hips, looking down at the ground and regretting our mating night for the thousandth time.

"Hunter was right. About us taking too long to make a stand. I should have listened to him before I met you. I should have

288 Wouchers

taken a stand like he did. But I can't change the past, Kinsley. All I can do is try to make it better in the future."

I stand there, staring at the ground. "Do you know how hard it was to see our new Luna accepting Hunter so easily, knowing that I may never have that level of trust with you?" I stop, my throat closing. I turn, looking at Koden lying unconscious on the ground. I walk over to him and stomp on his hand, smashing it to bits.

"Lucas!" Kinsley says, rushing over and pushing me back.

I know I have tears in my eyes when I look at her. "You can't even trust me to protect you? Even now? What the f**k kind of mate does that make me, Kins? A sh**ty one. Is there anyone else? Anyone else that looks at you like that? Because I swear to the goddess Kinsley, I will make sure that it never, ever happens again. This is your home. Our home. And I will not allow anyone to make you feel uncomfortable in your home. You are a Beta female. They should fall at your feet and submit to you, not make you feel...."

I stop, taking a deep breath. "If not me, why didn't you go to Hunter? I know you trust him."

"I can't go to him every time someone looks at me in a way that makes me uncomfortable, like I know they are remembering that night, remembering me in that position, Goddess, Lucas, don't you get it? I'd be in his office every day! We're a huge pack. Lots of our warriors were invited to my birthday party."

"I want names, Kinsley," I growl at her.

"It's not their fault they remember Lucas. Not all of them are

283 Vouchers

aren't. Usually, if I catch them staring, they

will die. I don't feel any differently about you than Alpha Hunter does about Luna Sophie. Don't YOU get it, Kinsley? I won't tolerate it. That's why it doesn't happen in front of

with the buttons on my polo shirt. "Does it help that I've started to believe that?" she asks me quietly, looking up at me

you," I say gently. "Please. I'll never gain your trust if you don't give me a

I should stand up for myself, punch them in

"Why don't you?"

you think. that Hunter wouldn't believe you? You're a Beta. Both of us know that you're an honest, incredible woman. If you put a pack member in their place, I may ask what

288 Mouch

she surprises me, lifting up on

her, taste her, explore her mouth until she's moaning and lost in the kiss, much like Luna Sophie was earlier. But, I know it's too soon for that: I need to go at Kinsley's pace.

get

Hunter POV

kiss her in front of the pack, but I could tell that she lost herself in the kiss. I nearly did as well, but I need to make sure that I maintain the trust that she is giving me. I feel like

Koden to the pack border. "I'll give you a quick tour of the

the back of the packhouse.

ask, wanting her

288 Voucher

everything.

and looks at me. “I'll have to trust you on this. I don't know anything about your pack

and packhouse," correct her. "And I'd love to say you'll have time tomorrow to look around, but I intend to call your father tonight and see if we can meet with him in the morning. Would you like that?" I

she is at the idea of seeing her parents again. A stray tear

"Thank you," she whispers.

nothing to thank me for," I say, leaning in to kiss her again. I

her the offices where Lucas and I work, the office that will become hers and next to that, Kinsley's office. Then I show her around the kitchen, noting that

additional staff

mind linked Beta Kinsley. We're down about

Luna ceremony tonight, please let

you decided to stay?"

their heads.

helping Alpha Hunter and I make a better future for everyone," she says, and I watch the omegas smile with her

Luna," I say as we

praise. I haven't been gone so long that I've forgotten that. But beyond that, they are taking a risk staying with us. If there is a war, their lives become dependent upon

you do as well."

I