The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 54: Lotus Flowers Robin

The more I get to know about that little Alpha, the more I like her. I've always wanted a mate who would challenge me, keep. me on my toes, and give me a run for my money. I've got an entire pack of wolves who defer to me, obey me, and follow my lead. That's not what I want in a mate.

Yes, I want someone who can balance me. Yes, I want someone who can calm me when the Alpha in me becomes too overwhelming for those around me. But I want a challenge, I want the passion and excitement that comes from someone who can push my buttons and rock my world. And something tells me that little Alpha is just the one to do it.

Unfortunately, she's underage so I won't know if she's my mate until after her birthday, the date of which she refused to give me, which makes me think it's soon. All night at the party, she challenged me, challenged my beliefs in the public claimings and truly, more than anything else, helped me to see that this isn't a rebellion on the part of our she-wolves. They really, truly don't want this. It tears them down in a way that a mate should never tear down the one they love.

I had an opportunity to speak to Beta Lucas during the evening as well. He confirmed for me what he felt from his mate and the struggles that they have had to come together.

"Honestly, it was Sophie that I think has made the difference. My mate didn't trust me. She'd take Hunter's word before mine,

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her own mate. I think, between the two of us, Hunter and I could have helped rebuild Kinsley's inner strength, but it was Sophie coming here that changed her. She's seen what our mate bond could be, what it should have been from the very beginning. And I'll tell you this. If I could go back and do it over, I'd take the stance that Hunter did every time. I would choose my mate of our laws every time, because our she- wolves are right, and our laws are wrong."

I'd had a restless night, not only because I have to decide how I will vote at the Committee, but a certain brown-haired, green-eyed little Alpha kept popping into my head. I smile as I get ready for Hunter's warrior training this morning. I'd noticed the little Alpha, Nikki, watching me throughout the night. She tried to be subtle, but she hasn't had as much practice at it as I have. When I get outside, I'm not surprised to see the Beta, Allison, covered in Kayce's hickeys and his scent. That tells me exactly how he plans to vote. He's siding with Hunter.

"Planning to exercise your eyeballs the entire training session, big Alpha?" Nikki says, passing me. Her crutches from yesterday are gone and she looks like she's planning to spar today.

I quickly fall into step beside her. "Are you cleared for sparring?” I ask, secretly pleased that her antagonistic behavior is continuing this morning. I hope that means she's enjoying it as much as I am. She turns and gives me a look that's all Alpha. "I don't need a doctor to tell me that I'm healed enough to spar."

"Actually, you do," Hunter says, putting himself in front of her and blocking her path. "My doctors didn't operate on you for hours just so you could mess up your leg again because you're

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pushing too hard."

"Why don't I go with you, Nikki. We can go see the doctor now, have them take a quick x-ray of your leg and if they give the all- clear, you can come back for the second half of training," Luna Sophie says, putting her hand on her mate's arm and more or less pushing him out of the way.

The gesture doesn't go unnoticed by her mate, who raises an eyebrow at her, but she just ignores him.

"Why don't I take you, little Alpha. We can talk more about all the reasons that our laws are wrong," I say, hoping for some more time with her before I leave today. As much as I want to stay, my pack borders Alpha Aiden's on the side not bordered by Kayce. I don't trust Aiden so I don't like being gone for long periods of time when I know he's in his pack. He's too power hungry. However, most of the time these days, he's out hunting she-wolves.

'She smells really good,' Derric, my wolf, says, breathing in her scent deeply. For someone so thorny on the outside, she smells floral, like a lotus flower. Beautiful and delicate, but also resilient and strong, just like Nikki.

"I'm perfectly capable of getting myself to and from the pack hospital, thank you, big Alpha," she says, giving me a fake smile before turning away from me.

'Be right back,' I mouth to Hunter, who shakes his head at me. I see Sophie give him a worried look, but he shakes his head. Even if Nikki was of age, which she isn't, I wouldn't disrespect Hunter or Nikki by claiming her against her will, here or anywhere.

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catch up, scooping her into my arms. Derric begins.

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Put me down!"

the pack hospital," I ask, looking around and ignoring her. I already know where it is, but I'm using this time to

put me down this instant!" she says, crossing her arms over her chest. I notice that she's not actually fighting me, or squirming in my arms to get down, so I ignore her again.

her floral scent. I bet she tastes delicious,"

before, I look

a

to point me in the direction of the hospital or am I going to carry you around the entire pack. I mean, I am an Alpha, honey, but this

and fire flashes in her eyes. "You did NOT just

I shrug. "I mean..."

at me, leaning back against my

of those

to you. Maybe you should head back to training and work

p

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I shouldn't even call you big

Alpha, how I love playing these games

my mouth near her ear, "you're so desperate to be in my arms that you're hoping I get lost and have to carry you around for hours," I

to hide my smile when her body shivers in

she says snarkily pointing in the

you around the pack carrying you some more first?" I

of warrior training so the other

she's my mate because

pack hospital, refusing to put her down even once

see if her leg is. healed enough to participate in warrior training," I tell the person at the

course, give me one moment," she

I stand there, waiting.

down now,"

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your arm around my neck. It would be more comfortable for both of us and maybe then you wouldn't keep jabbing me with your elbow when I say something that annoys you." "Are you trying to annoy me?" she asks, narrowing her eyes.

way you stand up to me," I say, looking her in

called back. I wait while they take her

there's a

punches? That way she's not kicking and

is

I can see how surprised she is that I'm trying to find a way to

No contact from her opponent that could knock her off balance