The One He Claimed by Cooper

. Time with Sephim

Chapter 94: Time with Sophie Hunter

I was surprised when Sophie told me that Brooklyn wanted to be at Owen's execution. It's yet another reminder that I should never underestimate anyone, not even my omegas. Brooklyn had found a way to awaken all the women who lost. their mates. After seeing that it worked for the first one, we started bringing the pups to see their mothers. Some woke faster than others, but now, they've all woken, including Leah. Sophie and I made a point to see them all, checking on them and making sure that they don't need anything from us or the pack. It's not uncommon for those who have lost their mates to want to leave the packhouse, finding the cheerful, boisterous atmosphere too much to bear, and these women were no different. I let Sophie and Kinsley handle the move for the families out of the packhouse and into their own homes. My mate, in all her intuitive genius, decided to move them all close together. It not only allows them to continue to have other pack members close, but it also gives them a sense of security. Now, Leah and Brooklyn aren't alone on the outskirts of the pack.

When Ezra arrived with Owen, I was thrilled that he asked about reaffirming our alliance. He's pulled away from me since my sister's death, but now, hopefully, he's coming back.

Of course, all that goes out the window when he realizes that Margot is his second chance mate. He's been waiting a long time for the possibility of a second chance mate, whereas Margot only rejected her mate a week ago. Understandably, her

17040

response to finding out that she has a second chance mate was considerably different than his.

When I pulled Ezra into my office, he sat down, putting his head in his hands. I'd given him glass of whiskey and he'd shot it back.

"Why now? Why her?" he asks me.

"I don't have those answers," I say refilling his glass and handing it to him. This time, he sips it, sitting back.

"She smells like jasmine," he says, as sit beside him. He turns and looks at me, his eyes haunted. "Your sister planted jasmine all over my pack lands. I'd never smelled it before then, but I've come to love that smell. And now Margot smells like jasmine."

He closes his eyes and I see the pain written all over his face. "I feel like your sister did this for me. I know that sounds crazy, but I'm here, in your pack, her old pack. Margot smells like the jasmine that Diana planted in my pack. It's too coincidental, don't you think?"

"It does sound that way. Who knows how these things work, or why some get a second chance mate, and some don't," I say, taking a sip of whiskey. "You know she'll try to reject you."

"I do. Joshua is an a**ole who never treated her well. Her father wasn't any better. All I can hope is that she gives me a chance."

"What are you going to do?" I ask him.

"I'm going to ask you if I can stay for a while and get to know my new mate, give her a chance to get to know me." 17:04

"You know you're always welcome here. But I will not allow you to forcibly mark her and definitely not publicly," I tell him.

He laughs humorlessly. "Trust me, I learned my lesson the first. time. I have no intention of losing another mate."

It isn't long before I hear a soft knocking on the door and smell Sophie's orchid scent.

up to open the door. As soon as he sees her, Ezra jumps up.

sure you can

else. Now she's here, rejected her mate,

quite a strong woman," Sophie says and something about the way

head, trying to understand the emotions. going on

you okay?"

nods, sighing and relaxing

you want to sit with us?" I ask her. I know Ezra probably won't want that, but

you two talk. Margot has gone to her room. She's planning to stay there for

III

17:04

bophi

her, Alpha Ezra," Sophie says to

give her the time and space she needs," he says, finishing off his drink. "I should probably go to my room. I could use a little

empty glass on the

letting me stay. I will not betray your trust by doing anything with Margot. I just want to get to know her. And

here a few days. We'll see you tomorrow at warrior training?" I

"I'll see you then."

to Sophie about the emotions going on

fall over her face. How many times must she have had to do that for it to fall so easily, to transform her from a terrified, sobbing woman, into a stoic, put together Luna?" I hold

expected her to hide her emotions or...he made it easier for her to hide them than suffer his response to them," I say carefully, wanting to shield my

hyperventilating when she got out

III

17:04

I put her in one thinking that she would be okay,

You can't blame yourself. We were under attack. She

a punishment for Margot. Something that she'll hopefully be

been recovering from the first battle, so I tell Sophie that I want to have dinner with her in our room,

for so long that I haven't taken time to just hear about her day. Over dinner, I stay quiet, letting my

Hunter, what is up with our pack?" she asks

something special here," I say, pushing the food aside and beginning to

Alpha, that you're mated

one lucky b**d," I say before showing her just how much I