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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an alliance with

instances, such as with Alpha Calvin, is that our alliances have become strained because their Lunas

just as my wolf, Rodion, stands up in

'Rod, what's going on?'

Gingerbread, the scent of

senses.

growls at me, just as I hear a female voice. welcoming

jerk Rodion back and look at the woman who is holding hands. with Hunter. Actually, holding hands, not him holding her, but her fingers are intertwined with his and...she's smiling. I thought Hunter said that

She's the cause of all of our problems. But I drove with Robin,

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

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surrounds me

ready to claim her right here, right

face as she repeats the word to me. And then, my view of her is blocked by

allow public claimings in my pack and this woman is

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

of your wolf," Hunter growls, and I can feel Shaw pushing forward, ready to shift if Rodion

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 stepping between

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

will? She's my mate!" Rodion growls, pushing past Hunter only to

eyes

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

his mate. Our mate.

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,

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

remark and focus on

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

Rodion begins purring at his mate's

surprised that I know what her wolf's name means. "She's very much like me," she

my sight, but also not

four could become a dinner for seven? Assuming the

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49. Sophie's

288 Moochers

me are her friends?" I

up to Allison,

and my wolf is going to drive me nuts if he can't see and smell you," I say honestly, eliciting a small smile. I realize I want to see that smile, much larger, on her

of her, well one is still a girl, underage,

mate is a Beta, he

his word as an Alpha, Luna Sophie?" she asks. I want to be offended, but I know that not all Alphas can be trusted these days.

Sophie turns and looks at Hunter, asking him if I can be trusted. I turn to look him in the eye, raising an

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