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.

looking

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

have always been and will always

16.575

back to me. "Alpha Hunter, you have my respect for what you did, but you do realize that this

288 Vouchers

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

at their patrols and evaluate

knowing that the heat we've been under

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 is, they'll be willing to fight to maintain their freedom. I have warriors who aren't ranked

with you," Carter says,

at me. "We may as well tell that girl that was on the run with Sophie? She's here. We brought her

"Penny?"

you,

1288 wouchers

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

it, Alpha. She

underage," I

says she's

seen a

night before. I'm guessing she hadn't eaten for a

of Alpha

ways. His daughter is 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 she accepted it. However, to my knowledge, she's been mated for several years and still has yet to

my pup

to tell Sophie. She'll be thrilled to know that

to let her know. Perhaps we should

200 Nouchers

Amelia and her mate should be here soon," Carter

Lucas to warn him that we had

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

my mate's happiness that Penny

the doorway. She turns quickly at the sound of my voice, her stunning smile sending shockwaves through my heart yet again.

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

she says, clearly distressed

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

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