The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 42: Assumptions and Wagers

Hunter

The next morning, on the way to warrior training, I bump into a ridiculously happy Lucas.

"Beta?" I ask but based on the dark circles under his eyes and the fresh mark on his neck, I'm pretty sure I know why my Betal looks so happy.

"It finally happened, Alpha. Kins finally gave herself to me, and holy f**g s**t. I had no idea it could be that good."

I smile at my Beta. It's good to see him this happy and to know that what I saw in Kinsley yesterday extended to their relationship.

"I'm not exactly an expert, but I can tell you that after just a few days, it gets better and better every day." I say.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. Where is your mate?"

"Sleeping. I wore her out," he says smugly.

"I'm sure that will continue for a long time, so she better get used to working on little to no sleep." I tell him as we step outside.

I take the time to address our warriors and explain that we have some new faces from Alpha Carter's pack to assist us until we

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can begin to rebuild our pack's defenses and update our patrol schedule.

After that, I pair Carter's warriors with mine and watch to see how good they actually are. I'm not sure if Beta Matthew sent me his best warriors, or if they are all this good, but it's a testament to his pack and their training that his warriors are able to easily keep up with mine.

As with all packs, methods of training and techniques vary, so I talk to Lucas about having Carter's warriors rotate in to lead the morning training and teach our warriors some new fighting methods. The more prepared we are for battle, the better.

After training, I head inside, happy to see my mate talking to our pack members and getting to know them. I haven't given her much time to do that other than her Luna ceremony. I walk up behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Can I join you for breakfast?" I ask her.

"Absolutely not," she says, surprising me and turning to look at me with her hand on her hips.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Why didn't you wake me for warrior training?"

I smile down at her. "I thought you might be tired after last night," I say, knowing that the entire room is watching our exchange. She might want to think twice about making a scene in the future. Her cheeks redden and she suddenly realizes that we have an audience.

"It's not because I'm a woman?" she asks.

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murmurings of the group. It's good to remind our pack that their Luna is

in our pack from

want to start. training, no matter how little sleep I've had," she says, a bit

no complaints when I keep you up until the wee hours of the morning because

cheeks turn a deep shade of red and I run my knuckles over her cheek, feeling the heat. "I love your passion, by the way. You should make

toes and kissing me softly. "Sorry for

the other. But I promise. you, until you are carrying my pup, I would be thrilled for you to attend warrior training. As a matter

out of practice. I think I'd

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how out of practice I am before I begin training others," she says, looking like she expects that she'll be starting over. She won't. She's an Alpha and it will all come back quickly. She's only been out of training for two years and if her father started her at ten, like most

you and see what you remember and how good

plate. I'm glad to see she's eating a decent amount of food. I'm hoping she'll put

about we add a little wager to out sparring, to make

me from the corner of her eye, but I see the tips of her mouth

I can tell she's excited at the idea of a competition. She's such

body shiver with my words, or maybe it's my breath against her

asks, knowing we'll be

"Absolutely."

on, Alpha,"

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own food and the two of us head to a table where Kinsley and Lucas are eating. I notice they are talking quietly, and Kinsley is blushing similarly to

if we join you?" I ask. Sophie had already put her tray down but stops and

did you want some privacy?" she

says, blushing a deeper

you about the same things that mine

me.

just shake my head

Kinsley. "Are we good

I won't

wanted to see you rise to the Beta that I know your can be. I think you've found yourself and I'm proud

a lighter shade than the one Lucas elicited. He leans in and kisses the side of her head. "I told you," he says

to collect herself, checking to make sure my mate is eating, then focus. "So, today, I want to invite Alphas Kayce

to make the trip, then I'm going to see

will be in charge. again. I know

Betas for a reason, right

and protect

the Committee of Alphas. However, that doesn't mean that one or more of the Alphas won't consider our pack weak knowing we lost some pack members recently, and

ended up with Alpha