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

alliances have become strained because their Lunas do not wish to see the men that witnessed their claiming. Some Alphas don't

my wolf, Rodion, stands up in

'Rod, what's going on?'

breath. Gingerbread, the scent of sweet gingerbread, like

senses.

he growls at me, just as I

the woman who is holding hands. with Hunter. Actually, holding hands, not him holding her, but her

annoyed when Hunter 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.

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

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the scent surrounds me and Rodion

to claim her right here,

word to me. And then, my

allow public claimings in my pack and

Get the f**k out of my

of your wolf," Hunter growls, and

here to hear what Alpha Hunter and his 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, right Hunter?" Robin says, nearly

away, but I won't allow her to be claimed against her will

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

her eyes flashing with the threat of violence. "Get a hold of yourself

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

his mate. Our mate.

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

had told you, you wouldn't have come and then where would you be?"

ignoring that remark and

wolf is Rodion. May I at least have your names?" I ask her, careful

his mate's name. I smile. "Mizette, meaning a mini reflection of you?

know what her wolf's name means. "She's very much like

let her out of my

dinner for

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Lupter 49. Sophie's

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from me are her friends?" I

to Allison, Alpha,"

as an 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 if he can't see and smell you," I say honestly, eliciting

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

our mate is a Beta, he

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, since he knows us,

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

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