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

our alliances have become strained because

I say, just as my wolf, Rodion, stands up in my

'Rod, what's going on?'

Gingerbread, the scent of sweet gingerbread, like cookies that have just come out of

senses.

just as I hear a female

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

introduces his 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 won't let me leave. He's practically ready

watering, but geez, we'll get some d**n cookies.

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scent surrounds me

he growls, ready to claim her right here, right

the word to me. And

Kayce. I do not allow public claimings in

mate. Get the f**k out of

her to reject you, I suggest you get a hold of your wolf," Hunter growls, and I can feel Shaw

sure Alpha Hunter can assure us that he won't send your mate away while we're busy, right Hunter?" Robin says, nearly stepping between us to

protection. I won't send her away, but

Rodion growls, pushing past Hunter only to have

pushes forward, her eyes flashing with the threat of violence.

shock of finding my mate finally wears off and I pull Rodion back. He begins pacing in my mind, keeping a close

his mate. Our mate.

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 quite a few secrets," I say, growling at

you, you wouldn't have come and then where would

that remark and

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

just as Rodion begins purring at his mate's

seems surprised that I know what her wolf's name

of my

for seven? Assuming the

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49. Sophie's

288 Moochers

her friends?" I ask Luna

be up to Allison, Alpha," Luna

just like to get to know you and my wolf is going to drive me

of her, well one is still a girl, underage, turn and look at her. Rodion sniffs

mate is a

as an Alpha, Luna Sophie?" she asks. I want to be offended, but I know that not all Alphas can be trusted these days. However, it's interesting that they are asking Luna Sophie, not Alpha Hunter,

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

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