The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 40: Kinsley's Acceptance Kinsley

I'd forgotten how grueling running patrols is. It's eight hours of nearly non-stop running and since I'm a Beta and running with a bunch of male warriors, I have to set an example, not only that I'm worthy of being a Beta but also that I'm just as strong as any male in this pack.

I'm tired, not having slept well with Lucas out running patrols all night. While I've been struggling with intimacy between us, realize that I miss him when he's gone. Now that I've invited him back to our bed, I really miss feeling his arms around me at night.

When we finish our patrol, I shift and reach for my clothes.

I hear a wolf-whistle behind me and I turn, seeing one of our warriors staring at me. Ogling me, really.

"Knock it off, Trent. You're being disrespectful," one of the other patrols says.

Trent shrugs nonchalantly and opens his mouth to say something else. Before he can, his eyes move to something behind me, and I turn, seeing Lucas standing at the back of the packhouse, waiting for me, watching out for me.

I see that he's holding a shirt for me, and he steps off the patio, heading my way.

"Don't know why he bothers. We've all seen you anyway," Trent

sneers quietly enough that only I hear him as he passes me. 288 Vouchers

"Good afternoon, Beta," he says cheerfully as he passes Lucas.

"Trevor," he says, his eyes not leaving mine. "Kinsley," he says, pulling the shirt over my head.

"I have my own clothes, Lucas," I say, but I take a deep breath, letting his scent of the rainforest fill my senses and relax me after Trevor's comments.

"I noticed you slept in my shirt last night," he says, wrapping an arm around my waist, but not pulling me to him. He's always so careful with me, ever since the day he marked me. But I've decided that it's time for me to put the past behind me. I need to start trusting my mate to care for me, to protect me. So, for the first time in our relationship, I lean into him.

His eyes instantly brighten, and he tightens his arm around me, wrapping the second around me as well, just holding me. We stand like that for a while before he kisses the top of my head. "How was your run?"

"Exhausting," I say. "But no scent of Alphas or she-wolves."

"Well, the she-wolves won't know that we're a sanctuary yet, but I'm glad to hear that there are no Alphas. And speaking of Alphas, Alpha Calvin is sending 20 warriors to help us run patrols, so we have some time to reorganize the patrol schedules.

"Oh, that's great news," I say walking inside.

"Yes, and Alpha Hunter and Luna Sophie won't be home until late. They are meeting with Alpha Calvin and Alpha Dutton

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tonight at Alpha Carter's pack."

excellent! Do you think they'll stand with us?" I ask

mated to Lunal Sophie's sister, and Alpha Dutton hasn't

it's safe for me let the she-wolves know our borders are open? I can leave a note when go to

to be careful. My legs are stiff after running all night. I'm guessing yours will be too and

it gets dark,"

hand. "Hurry

something like that, my heart melts a little bit more. Not for the first

I see that the food is gone. I'm glad because the scent of sex and Alpha Hunter still lingers in this area, but if the she-wolves are hungry enough, that won't deter them, at least not until they have food in their stomachs. I leave the food and the note that we are now offering sanctuary. I also added that Sophie Meyers has found her mate, our Alpha, but he mated her privately and

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at least two more Alphas are

more," I tell him as we walk into our room. "Are you

says. "Why don't you get ready for

my legs. I know he wants to touch me more than I'm comfortable allowing, so this is a nice compromise, and my

be good, but a moan slips out occasionally. I can see that he's getting aroused and while it makes me nervous that he might want something more, he doesn't act on it. I feel bad for my mate. I feel his arousal pressed against

much better,"

thank him, in a way that might be more meaningful to him and push me in my desire to show more trust in him, so I turn in his arms and rest

"Kinsley?"

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mean, I'm not ready to have sex, but I thought, maybe we

that. If at any point it gets to be more than you

my head up to his. His warm lips press softly against mine. He takes his time, slowly deepening the kiss and when his tongue licks the seam of my lips, I open for him, letting him slide his tongue into my mouth. I love the way he tastes, fresh and clean,

my mate, heat pooling in my core, making my body

let me help you with that?" he asks me, pulling away enough to

"I don't..."

your arousal, Kinsley. It's making me crazy, so I'm guessing that your body is craving a

I nod.

what your body

my body, gently running his fingers under the silk pajama top that I'm wearing. The feel of his fingers against my skin makes my body feel like it's on fire, desperately

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Chapter 40: Kinsley's Acceptance

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sleep shorts.

my mouth before. taking the kiss even deeper. When his fingers find

I

top for me, I want to see you,