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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him about what had happened. It's the only way he could have known. Perhaps

another day at the hospital, gaining strength and making sure I could walk unassisted. I realized just how much my

me after I woke, wanting to let me know how thankful they were to Brooklyn and how they have made sure to protect her and me while I was unconscious. The massive outpouring of love from the pack had been incredible, nearly overwhelming. It

Brutus, came to visit with me. The moment he had entered my room, I'd known. I don't know why the Moon Goddess does the things she does. I'd just gotten out of a miserable mate bond, and here,

like with Michael, but I know I never 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 done to keep you alive, just because you're afraid of me.

sat with me that first day, barely leaving

how Brooklyn stitched him up, how he'd been watching over her for me while I was out, as had the other warriors. How he'd made sure Dr. Caspian didn't do anything that

here watching him. That, more than anything, made me believe that he's the real deal and telling the truth about taking it slow with Brooklyn. I know you probably want to make up your own mind about him, but that's

worth a lot, thank you,

and helped to get me back to my home. I told Brooklyn that it was fine for her to stay at

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 sure I stomach

see that the door is

"What's this?"

you or Brooklyn to have to come back to

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

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all been too much

if I was a small pup and held me while I cried. For such a big man,

and rubbing my back until I had cried myself to

food cooking in the kitchen, so I carefully make my way out of bed, seeing my shoes neatly set against the wall. When I walk out of my bedroom, I see two things that surprise me.

"Brutus?" I ask.

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

into the small area that

the stove and smiles at me. "I used to cook for my mate all the

watches me as I walk over to the flowers, leaning in the

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them

bring

head. "I was hoping you'd like

flowers again. "I'm not sure anyone has ever brought

sit down to eat. The food is surprisingly good, and I

SO.

"Why surprisingly?" he asks.

because you're a warrior. Usually omegas

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

and duck my