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."

1657D

288 Vouchers

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.

begins, looking back

a stand against our laws, Matthew, and I intend to join him. I need to

been and will always be with you, Alpha,"

16.575

respect for what you did, but you do realize that this

288 Vouchers

see her family again. The second was to ensure that your Alpha would support me in this fight. I'll be looking at other Alphas as well,"

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

do with sending twenty, especially knowing that the heat we've been under for the last two years is about to

okay with 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

with you," Carter says, and his eyes

"We may as well tell that girl that was on the run with

"Penny?"

you,

1288 wouchers

me. After she told me that she'd been with Sophie, she

about it, Alpha. She did beg," Beta

I say, looking

Amy says she's sixteen," Carter

seen a wolf eat that

before. I'm guessing she hadn't eaten for a long time before that.

the daughter of Alpha

old ways. His daughter is one that didn't put up a fight against the public claimings. It was

my pup soon. I wasn't joking when I told Luna Amy that I was trying

to tell Sophie. She'll be thrilled

let her know. Perhaps we should

200 Nouchers

them. My daughter Amelia and her mate should be here soon,"

the patrols," Matthew says. I had already called Lucas to warn him that we had some of Carter's warriors come to assist with

and follow our mates' scents to the kitchens where I find

feeling my mate's

at the sound of my voice, her stunning smile sending shockwaves through my heart

this is Penny, the one I told you about. Penny,

she says, clearly distressed at what she thinks

Sophie says, releasing her friend and walking toward me. If she wasn't talking to her friend, I might forget that there was

the mountain, just the two of us," she says, her eyes never leaving mine as she walks into my