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

claimings in some instances, such as with Alpha Calvin, is that our alliances have become strained because their Lunas do not wish to

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

'Rod, what's going on?'

the air and takes a deep breath. Gingerbread, the scent of sweet gingerbread, like cookies that have just come out of

senses.

that scent,' he growls at me, just as I hear

him holding her, but her fingers are intertwined

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.

but geez, we'll get some d**n

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inside, the scent surrounds me and

ready to claim

word to me. And then,

allow public claimings in my pack and this woman

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

hold of your wolf," Hunter growls, and I can feel Shaw pushing forward, ready

them time. I'm sure Alpha Hunter can assure us that he won't send your mate

here, under my protection. I won't send her away, but

mate!" Rodion growls, pushing past Hunter only to have his way

the blast of her Alpha aura as her wolf pushes forward, her eyes flashing with the threat of

and I pull Rodion back. He begins pacing in my mind,

his mate. Our mate.

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 quite a few

you wouldn't have come and then where

ignoring that remark and focus on

have your names?" I ask her, careful to

at his mate's name. I smile. "Mizette,

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

my sight, but

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

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49. Sophie's

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me are her friends?"

to Allison, Alpha," Luna

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

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

our mate is

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

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