The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 49: Sophie's Power Kayce

"What do you think of Hunter taking a mate privately?" I ask Robin. He and I had decided to drive together. Our packs are close in proximity and while we both could have done work while we were driving, sometimes it's better to confirm alliances rather than to let them sit idly by until one day you realize that your ally is no longer your ally. My father learned that lesson the hard way and I don't intend to repeat history.

"Honestly, I don't like the practice myself. I hate being in the room every time a woman is claimed, but I won't miss the events in case she's my mate?"

"But he broke the law," I say. And this is where I struggle. If we all begin breaking the laws that have been put into place, then it becomes anarchy.

"I agree, but I also think that we have to consider that our she- wolves, our ranked females, our best possibility for creating a strong future and another generation of strong Alphas, are literally killing themselves."

I sigh. He's right and I know he is. I don't like it any more than he does. It's been almost a year since there's been a coming-of-age party for a ranked she-wolf. Any other females are gone long before they turn 18. I know many Alphas and other ranked members are out hunting down their mates, but I refuse to do that. I refuse to hunt her down, running her nearly to death or possibly to her death, like she's nothing more to me than prey.

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Unlike some Alphas, I want a partner, not another pack member.

"Well, we've agreed to hear him out at least. Did he tell you anything about his mate?" I ask.

"No, just that he marked her in private, and he refuses and will continue to refuse to mark her in public."

"Yeah, that's pretty much what he told me as well."

"Did he tell you he's received a summons to the Committee?" Robin asks me.

"Is that why we're meeting next week?" I ask.

"That's why."

"Well f**k me sideways," I say.

"Sorry, you're not my type," he says, smirking at me.

"A**ole," I grumble. Robin laughs as we approach Hunter's pack borders. We let the border patrol know we've arrived, and we drive onto his pack lands.

"Pretty area," I say, to make conversation.

"Yeah, there are several packs in the near vicinity and mountains in between them, giving them a natural separation."

"How do you know so much about this area?" I ask.

"We went to Luna Amelia's 18th birthday party two years ago, remember? After she was claimed, I spent the next day looking around the area before leaving. Dutton is their neighbor on the eastern border, and I spent a couple of days with him, working

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300 Muchen!

an alliance

strained because their Lunas do

just as my wolf, Rodion, stands up in

'Rod, what's going on?'

Gingerbread, the scent of sweet gingerbread,

senses.

as I hear a female voice.

not him holding her, but her fingers are intertwined with his and...she's smiling. I thought Hunter said that were

new mate and she's none other than Sophie Meyers. I'm tempted to get in the car and leave. She's the cause of all of our problems. But I drove with Robin, and he looks intrigued. Besides, Rodion

geez, we'll get some d**n cookies. 'Chill Rod,' I growl

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inside, the scent surrounds me and

ready to claim

she repeats the word to me.

do not allow public claimings in my pack and this woman is under my

Get the f**k out

you get a hold of your wolf," Hunter growls, and I can feel Shaw pushing forward, ready to shift

Luna have to say. Let's give them time. I'm sure Alpha Hunter can assure us that he won't send your mate away while we're busy,

here, under my protection. I won't send her away, but I won't allow her to be claimed

my mate!" Rodion growls, pushing past Hunter only to have his way blocked by Luna

her eyes flashing with the

pull Rodion back. He begins pacing in my mind, keeping a close

his mate. Our mate.

the woman, I don't even know her name, but she looks terrified. I also realize there are two other females blocking my path to her and Hunter's two Betas on either side of her, ready to protect her. "My apologies. I didn't mean to scare you, or your wolf. I wasn't expecting to find my mate today, so I wasn't prepared for my wolf's reaction. Alpha Hunter, it seems, has been keeping

you wouldn't have come and then where would you

that remark and focus on my

her, careful to make sure

just as Rodion begins purring at his mate's

that I know what her wolf's name means.

out of my sight,

dinner for seven? Assuming the

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49. Sophie's

288 Moochers

from me are her

to Allison, Alpha," Luna

Alpha that I won't try to claim you. I would just like to get to know you and my wolf is going to drive me nuts

two women in front of her, well one is still a girl, underage, turn

mate is a Beta, he

I know that not all Alphas can be trusted these days. However, it's interesting

looks at Hunter, asking him if I can be trusted. I

him and if he does, I do," Sophie says. My eyes flash back