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

I have hope that the others will too. Alpha Calvin is mated to Lunal Sophie's sister, and Alpha Dutton hasn't found

me let the she-wolves know our borders are open? I can leave a note when go to drop off the food today," I

Kins. I think it's safe. But I want you to be careful. My legs are stiff after running all

before it gets dark," I

my hand. "Hurry home to me,

Every time he says something like that, my heart melts a little bit more. Not for the first time, I wonder what it would have been like for us if our mating night had been like Alpha Hunter's

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

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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 exhausted and as

him

wear off," he says. "Why don't you get ready for bed and lie down, I'll massage

my legs. I know he wants to touch me more than I'm comfortable

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 my back

better," I tell

a rock. I feel like I want to thank him, in a way that might be more meaningful to him and push me

"Kinsley?"

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but I thought, maybe we could kiss for a bit before we

point it gets to be more than you

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

pooling in my core, making my body crave more. I begin

he asks me,

"I don't..."

Nothing else. I can smell your arousal, Kinsley. It's making me crazy, so I'm guessing that your body is

I nod.

give you what your body

and he slides his hand down my body, gently running his fingers under the silk pajama top that I'm wearing. The feel of his

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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

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

I

I want