The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 72: Getting Settled Sophie

Dutton got the twins calmed while I pushed the food into the room. I didn't want to intrude, but I also didn't feel comfortable leaving them alone yet. So, I grabbed the plate of food that I knew Hunter had made for me, the plate with all of my favorites, and I sat off to the side, letting Dutton to serve his mates and take care of them.

"You can eat with us, Luna," Tiffany says.

"Oh yes, you don't have to eat alone. You're already giving up time at the party," Tammi adds.

"That's okay. I don't want to intrude," I say.

"Please, Luna. Join us," Dutton says as he serves his mates. I feel like he wants to give the girls a break so they can eat without making themselves sick with nerves, so I pick up my plate and go to sit with them.

"I'm guessing you don't want any wine since you're expecting?" he asks.

"No, but thank you, Alpha."

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" he asks as he pours the wine, confirming my suspicions that he was letting the girls settle by focusing the conversation on me.

"We find out tomorrow morning. I'm pretty sure Hunter is

secretly hoping for a boy, but we'll see."

"How did you get pregnant so quickly, Luna? I know you said it's because you love your mate and you enjoy intimacy, but could that really be all that it is? It's so rare for a Luna to be pregnant so soon,” Tammi asks me, surreptitiously eyeing Dutton.

"I think, from the little I know about the, let's call them fractured mate bonds, that intimacy isn't as frequent as what I experience with Hunter. I love being with my mate. I can't get enough of him, and he feels the same for me. When I'm with him, I open myself to him. I accept the gifts that he's giving me. It's the way it was meant to be, I think," I say smiling. "And because of that, and because we were never careful about avoiding a pregnancy, here I am," I smile, looking down and rubbing my stomach.

"We're very happy for you, Luna. Speaking as an Alpha, I can say that every Alpha wants a male heir, someone he knows can one day take over the pack for him. But I also believe that your mate will be thrilled to have a little Sophie running around the pack," Dutton says, smiling at me.

"I believe you're right, Alpha," I say.

"What about you, Alpha? What would be your preference for a pup?" Tiffany asks him.

"Healthy, happy, and loved. That's all that matters, boy or girl, I'll be happy to have a pup, or pups. I'd like to have more than one and if the two of you accept me as your mate, then we can talk about how many each of you want. I'd be happy to fill my packhouse with our pups," he says, his eyes shining

looking down to try

1280 Mooch

want three," Tammi says, showing more confidence that I've seen in her

smile widens at his words. Then

chin, looking at her sister, then back at Dutton. "Tammi and I agreed that if we ever found our mate, that I would be the one who would produce the heir. I don't care how many children I have

boy first? Are

no," she

0

get to have children until you have a boy? My first-born son would be heir

which of you delivered him," he says, looking at

first-born son was heir to the

and not Tiffany. That sort of thing breeds contempt among Alphas and brothers. I would never want one of my sons to be angry

are Betas. The issue of handing over pack rights to Tiffany's first-born son seems okay in theory, but Dutton is right. Chapter 72:

and it wouldn't be the first time a brother killed another

they hadn't considered all of the ramifications of their

made today. You're still getting to know each other; you're still deciding if you are

are?" Tammi asks, looking at Tiffany

Dutton asks Tiffany, obviously recognizing that she's the mouthpiece for

how did Alpha Dutton vote at the committee meeting last week?" she asks, not taking her eyes off

in favor of Hunter

about public claimings?"

sisters, I didn't fully understand the impact that it caused. Now, seeing both of you, having you here with me, I have

up, but we

Chapter Getting Settled

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to feel safe and confident that I will protect you from anyone or

see Tammi melting at his words and even Tiffany's rigid posture seems

be needing me any longer," I say, standing. "Alpha Dutton, you have a room, but the twins are sharing one. If you decide that the three of you are moving

stand and the twins turn to look

you so much, Luna,"