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.

he begins, looking back

Hunter is going to take a stand against our laws, Matthew, and I intend to

will always be with you, Alpha,"

16.575

have my respect for what you

288 Vouchers

my second reason for being here. My first was for Sophie to 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," I say and the three of us sit down as I go through it

of us look at their patrols and evaluate how many of their warriors they can send to

think we can afford to send thirty, but we can make do with sending twenty, especially knowing that the heat we've been under for the last two years is about to

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 my pack. They'll all be ranked members, and my guess

says, and his eyes go

as well tell that girl that was on

"Penny?"

you,

1288 wouchers

onto my borders and my patrols brought her to me. After she

no practically about it, Alpha. She did

said she's underage," I say,

says she's

starving. I've never seen a

said she stuffed herself the night before. I'm guessing she hadn't eaten for a long time before

of Alpha Elias'

one that didn't put up a fight against the public claimings. It was as if she had been trained to understand her fate and

I wonder if Sophie will be carrying my pup soon.

intend to tell Sophie. She'll be

Amy to let her know. Perhaps we should

200 Nouchers

and

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

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

feeling my mate's happiness that

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

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

Sophie. I mean..." she says, clearly distressed at what she thinks happened to

Penny. Hunter isn't like the others," Sophie says, releasing her friend and walking toward me. If she wasn't talking to her

as she walks into my arms. I wrap my arms