The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 37: Dutton Hunter

I didn't spend much time with Amelia at her birthday party. Okay, I didn't spend any time with her. I spent much more time with Sophie because Calvin spent the night with Amelia, allowing her the opportunity to get to know him. However, now I can see the similarities between the sisters. They are both passionate, caring, and strong Alpha females

I'm also glad that Calvin is willing hear me out. I would go to war alone if I had to, but I think it's important for all of us who are against these claiming practices to stand together and fight for what we believe is right.

When we step out of Alpha Carter's office, he is informed that Alpha Dutton has arrived. I haven't seen Dutton in awhile. He, Kayce, and I always hit it off. Kayce and Robin are Alphas in neighboring packs and that's how I met Robin, who also seems like a good man and Alpha, not letting the power of being an Alpha get to him. I met Calvin at some Alpha female's party several years ago and realized that he was more like me, Kayce, Robin, and Dutton. We've never been friends like I am with the others, but I've always liked him.

"Alpha Carter,” Dutton says, greeting his host as he walks in. "And Luna Amy, looking as beautiful as ever," he says flirtatiously, smiling when Carter growls softly at him. "Dutton, you charmer, you know I'm old enough to be your mother," Luna Amy says, and while she blushes at the

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compliment, no one takes offense. Dutton is charming. He's charmed quite a few women into his bed, but this flirtation seems harmless.

"Hunter, I didn't know you'd be here," he says, smiling at me. before raising an eyebrow at Sophie who is standing at my side.

"And who is this?" he asks.

"Dutton, let me introduce you to my mate, Sophie. And I'll warn you now, we're recently mated, so don't even think about trying to charm her," I say, narrowing my eyes at him.

He looks at Sophie and I can tell he's expecting her to be shy and nervous like all new Lunas or recently mated ranked females. "Luna Sophie, it's nice to meet you," he says gently. "You as well, Alpha Dutton. It sounds as if you know Hunter well. I look forward to hearing more about how you know my mate," Sophie says easily.

Dutton jerks, almost imperceptibly, before raising his eyebrow again.

"You're not, Sophie Meyers, by chance?"

"She is," I say, wrapping my arm possessively around her waist.

He looks her over, smiling. "Little Sophie Meyers, all grown up. I'm glad to see you're alive and well, as I'm sure your parents are too," he says. "Why does everyone call me little? Was I really that small?" Sophie asks me.

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say, leaning in to kiss

Calvin

expect you either," he says, tearing his eyes away from me and Sophie to look at Calvin. "And

for dinner before Alpha Dutton causes a fight to break out," Luna Amy says, putting her arm through

your mate was quite close-mouthed about why I was being invited to dinner. But now, I'm guessing it has to do with the

AND intelligent, what a wonderful combination," Luna

and charm her," Dutton says, turning to look back at me and Sophie again, frowning at our closeness and Sophie's relaxed posture around me. "And apparently I need to have a little of whatever it is that Alpha Hunter has," he

walk in. Sophie hasn't really been around the pack since we arrived, only being seen by a few omegas who may or may not have remembered her, but in here, there are warriors and older wolves who wouldn't be fooled by her red hair. She was the beloved youngest daughter of their Alpha and Luna who ran away and hasn't been seen or heard

right, Beta Matthew is at his left. She has Alpha Dutton sit beside her and I move to sit

stays standing and turns to the room which has remained

evening. First, my daughter Amelia and her mate, Alpha Calvin informed me this afternoon

and cheers as Amelia blushes

clap along with the rest of the

Carter continues. "It's too soon to know if I'll have a grandson or granddaughter, but either way, Amy and I will

Amelia groans at her

a grandparent, Amelia," he says unabashedly, as the pack

congratulate them this evening while they are here visiting. And my second announcement," he says, coming to stand behind

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and remains a friend of this pack. Our daughter is safe and loved and

begins cheering again, although not as strongly as they did for the announcement of Amelia's baby. I can tell

at me. "Will

"Are you sure, Carter?"

know, regardless of the decisions that

seeing Dutton angle his chair to watch us, realizing that this

daughter because I didn't want to see her go through what so many other ranked she-wolves have and continue to go through. You've all felt the pressure that many of the Alphas have put on us, the constant monitoring to see if we were sneaking Sophie home. Obviously, now that she's back, that will stop," he says and the pack cheers again. The constant pressure of being under the scrutiny of the Alphas must have been a lot