The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 95: Strength Leah

When I woke in the pack hospital, I was surprised. I hadn't expected to survive my mate's death, hadn't realized that it was even possible for an omega who was mated to someone of a higher rank.

But I had heard my daughter's voice, over and over, smelled her sweet scent, and listened when she told me that she needed me. My mate never needed me, but my daughter does. I swore that after letting her down once, that I'd never do it again, so I'd fought my own body, my heart, and maybe the Moon Goddess herself to stay with my child. If she needs me, I'll be here for her.

Seeing her happy face when I opened my eyes, had made it all worthwhile. She had wrapped her arms around me and sobbed. I was weak, struggling to wrap my own arms around her, but I did it. A mother can find strength she didn't know she had when her pup needs her.

After waking, the healing started. I felt hollow and empty, but I hoped that would pass. My wolf was gone, but the doctor said it was possible that I'd get her back. You just never knew when these things happened.

"I've seen mates regain their wolves after a year or more. Sometimes, it just takes them longer to heal and return to us than it does for us to wake up," he said.

I'd heard Brooklyn when she was talking to me, so I was pretty

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sure I knew who this was. Watching my daughter, I knew I was right.

"You're my daughter's mate?" I asked him when it was just the two of us in the room.

"Yes, ma'am. And I want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. I won't hurt your daughter and I don't have any expectations of her except that she gives me a chance and gets to know me. She's doing that, and I'm perfectly happy."

He smiled, his eyes staring off. "She's amazing, your daughter. Truly an incredible woman."

"Yes, she is," I said, proud that someone recognizes that int Brooklyn.

He looked back at me. "We all agree that she gets that from you," he'd said surprising me.

"I'm not strong, not like Brooklyn."

"Aren't you? You're here. You could have given up, but you didn't. You somehow, and I still can't fathom how you did it, got your daughter here, after rejecting your mate and you saved her life. And once again, you protected your daughter when her father came to take you back."

"Brooklyn did that," I tell him.

"Brooklyn shot him, but she wouldn't have had the gun if you hadn't purchased it, ready to protect your daughter at all costs, including your own life," he said, holding my gaze. "That, my future mother-in-law, is strength."

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III

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Brooklyn had told him about what had happened. It's the only way he could have known. Perhaps she is giving him a

and making sure I could walk unassisted. I realized just how much my daughter was doing in the hospital, helping out and how much she had done while I

have made sure to protect her and me while I was unconscious. The

know why the Moon Goddess does the things she does. I'd just gotten out of a miserable mate bond, and here, in front of me, was another warrior, another mate, only

had much respect for the way he spoke about you and Brooklyn. He was a fool. I am not a fool. I also know you just woke up after losing your mate and probably have no desire to take on another mate. But don't reject me, Leah. You're too weak. I won't do anything you don't want, but don't kill yourself after everything Brooklyn has

with me that first day, barely leaving my

for me while I was out, as

credit. He didn't flinch at us constantly being here watching him. That, more than anything, made me believe that he's the real deal and telling the truth about taking

a lot, thank you,

come back the next day after his patrol and helped to get me back to my home. I told Brooklyn that it was fine for her to stay at the hospital.

see the broken door, the blood on the walls from where Brooklyn shot Michael. I'm sure they removed the body, but my little house will be a mess and I'm not

we arrive, I see that the

"What's this?"

you or Brooklyn to have to come back to this

kindness, overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, overwhelmed with the emotions that were spinning

III

It had all been too much and I'd broken down in

small pup and held me while I cried. For such a big

me and rubbing my back

my house. I can smell food cooking in the kitchen, so I carefully make my way out of bed, seeing my shoes neatly set against the

"Brutus?" I ask.

don't mind. My wolf was making me nuts about taking care of you, so I wanted to make sure you had something to eat. I was

into the small area

me. "I used to cook for my mate all the

I walk over

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them

you bring me

big bear of a man blushes and ducks his head. "I was hoping you'd like them. I thought they might help to brighten your

not sure anyone has ever brought me flowers before.

eat. The food is surprisingly good, and I

SO.

"Why surprisingly?" he asks.

a warrior. Usually

cook. I like to do nice things for the people I care about." His

turn to blush and duck my head. "I'm not used