The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 35: Another Surprise Hunter

When Sophie and her mother leave, Carter looks at me. "I know it's early, but I could use a drink. Want one?"

"Sure. I'm sorry for the secrecy..."

"No. You were right not to tell me ahead of time. And you've done right by my daughter. I'm not sure I can ever repay you for that," he says, handing me a glass of bourbon before clinking his glass against mine and downing his in one go.

It's a bit early for me, but I follow suit and take the shot. I watch as Carter takes a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.

"I was so worried when I first saw her..." he says quietly.

"I know. That's why I wanted you to hear it from her that I marked her in private."

He nods his head and takes another deep breath. "Alright, let's get my Beta in here so we can reinforce your borders. You said your Gamma left?"

"Well, technically, I kicked him out for ogling my mate in front of me and assuming that I was going to mark and mate her again in front of him and the pack. So, I cut off his airways until he passed out then threw him off my pack lands."

He looks at me a moment. "You might have been better off if you had killed him."

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I sigh. I know he's right. "I'd just brought Sophie home, had literally just introduced her to the pack. I didn't want to mar that by killing my G**a."

He nods and his eyes go unfocused. A moment later there's a knock at his door.

"Matthew, this is Alpha Hunter. Hunter, this is my Beta, Matthew."

"Nice to meet you," I say.

"Same."

"Alpha Hunter has mated my daughter, Sophie, and brought her home to see her family."

I watch the Beta press his lips together before he forces a smile. "Congratulations." Then he turns to Carter. "I didn't realize little Sophie was here. I can't wait to see her. My mate will be thrilled as well." Carter watches his Beta as he delivers the news. "My new son-in-law marked and mated my little girl in private, Matthew."

Matthew turns and looks at me, his gaze intent. "In private?"

"That's correct," I say.

he begins, looking back at

to take a stand against our laws, Matthew, and I

have always been and will always

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"Alpha Hunter, you have my respect for what you did,

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was to ensure that your Alpha would support me in this fight. I'll be looking at other Alphas as well," I say and the three of

the end, the three of us look at their patrols and evaluate how many of

afford to send thirty, but we can make do with sending twenty, especially knowing that the heat we've been under for

that and I'd appreciate as many as you can safely send. I don't want you putting your pack at risk for me. But I also believe I'll be able to give you most of your warriors back once I have she- wolves entering

you," Carter says,

they refocus, he looks at me. "We may as well tell that girl that

"Penny?"

you,

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my patrols brought her to me. After she told me

practically about it, Alpha. She did beg,"

said she's underage," I say,

Amy says she's sixteen," Carter

never seen a wolf eat

guessing she hadn't eaten for a long

the daughter of Alpha Elias'

nod. Alpha Elias is one of the Alphas who believes strongly in the old ways. His daughter is one that didn't put up a fight against the public claimings. It was as if she had

if Sophie will be carrying my pup soon.

hope you intend to tell Sophie. She'll be thrilled to know that

told Amy to let her know. Perhaps

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Amelia and her mate

Lucas to warn him that we had some of Carter's warriors come to assist with protecting

and follow our mates' scents to the kitchens where I find Sophie hugging a young

feeling my mate's happiness

her stunning smile sending shockwaves through my heart yet again. I have a moment to wonder if that will ever change before she pulls Penny

one I told you

she says, clearly distressed at what she thinks happened

friend and walking toward me. If she wasn't talking to her friend, I might forget

the mountain, just the two of us," she says, her eyes never leaving mine as she walks into my arms. I wrap my arms around her and she lifts up onto her toes, pressing