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."

they'll stand

that the others will too. Alpha Calvin is mated to Lunal Sophie's sister, and

it's safe for me let the she-wolves know our borders are open? I can

pretty clear, Kins. I think it's safe. But I want you to be careful. My legs are stiff after running all night. I'm guessing yours

before it gets

hand. "Hurry home to me,

more. Not for the first time, I wonder what it would have been like for us if our mating night had

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 she is now the Luna of our pack. I'm hoping that they trust my words enough to

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I return, Lucas and I have dinner and once Alpha Hunter and Luna Sophie return, we head to our room. It's good to know that at least two more Alphas are on our side and while I would have liked to talk to Luna Sophie more, I'm

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

it took several hours to wear off," he says. "Why don't you get ready for bed and lie

me more than I'm

it. I feel bad for my mate. I feel his arousal pressed against my

much better," I

sleep," he says, moving up to lay behind me. Yep, he's hard as a rock. I feel like I want to thank him, in a way that might be more meaningful to him and

"Kinsley?"

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but I thought, maybe we could kiss

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

tongue licks the seam of my lips, I open for him, letting him slide his tongue into

and he growls softly in return. I can feel my body responding to my mate, heat pooling in my core, making my body

you with that?" he asks me, pulling away enough to look at me in the dark

"I don't..."

else. I can smell your arousal, Kinsley. It's making me crazy, so

I nod.

give you what your body wants,"

pajama top that I'm wearing. The feel of his fingers against

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Chapter 40: Kinsley's Acceptance

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my sleep shorts. He gently massages his way to my core, his hand sliding between

taking the kiss even deeper. When his fingers find my c***t, I

I

unbutton your top for me, I want to see you, I want