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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alliance

that our alliances have become strained because their Lunas do not wish to see the men that witnessed their claiming. Some Alphas don't care, but the good ones, like Calvin,

smart," I say, just as my wolf, Rodion, stands up

'Rod, what's going on?'

the car, he lifts our nose in the air and takes a deep breath. Gingerbread, the scent

senses.

that scent,' he growls at me, just as I hear a female voice. welcoming

with Hunter. Actually, holding hands, not him holding

the car and leave. She's the cause of all of our problems. But

my mouth is watering, but geez, we'll get some d**n cookies. 'Chill Rod,' I growl at my

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scent surrounds me and Rodion pushes forward, moving

to claim her right here, right

she repeats the word to me. And then, my view

not allow public claimings in my pack and this woman is

Get the f**k out of my way," Rodion

and if you don't want her to reject you, I suggest you get a hold of your wolf," Hunter growls, and I can feel Shaw pushing forward, ready to

Luna have to say. Let's give them time. I'm sure Alpha Hunter can assure us that he

I won't send her away, but I won't allow her

growls, pushing past Hunter only

forward, her eyes flashing with the threat of violence. "Get

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

his mate. Our mate.

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

come and then where would you be?" he asks me,

that remark and focus

have your names?" I ask her, careful to make sure that Rod's

as Rodion begins purring at his mate's name. I smile. "Mizette, meaning a mini reflection of you?

wolf's name means.

nod, unwilling to let her out of my sight, but

dinner for four could become a dinner for seven? Assuming the two young

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Lupter 49. Sophie's

288 Moochers

her

to

like to get to know you and my wolf is going to drive me nuts if he can't see and smell you," I say honestly, eliciting a small

well one is still a girl, underage, turn and look

is a

all Alphas can be trusted these

intriguing to me is that Sophie turns and looks at Hunter, asking him if I can be trusted. I turn to look him in the eye, raising an eyebrow. He watches me for a moment, then

I do," Sophie says.