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

just how much my daughter was doing in the hospital, helping out and how much she

all started coming to see 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 was almost as if they were

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, in front of me, was another warrior, another mate, only this one

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. You don't

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.

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

a lot, thank

it was fine for her to stay at the hospital. She seems to like it there, her

shot Michael. I'm sure they removed the body, but my little house will be a mess and I'm not sure

we arrive, I see that the door

"What's this?"

the place up for you. We didn't want you or Brooklyn to have to come back to this mess. It was the least we could do after she stitched up

outpouring of love, overwhelmed with the emotions that were spinning around in my head

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had all been too much

was a small pup and held me while I cried. For such a big man, he is surprisingly gentle. He hadn't told me that I needed to stop crying, or that I was being ridiculous. He'd

rubbing my back until I had cried myself

but my shoes are off and there is a blanket over me. I look around and realize that I am in my bedroom in my house. I can smell food cooking in the kitchen, so I carefully make my way out of

"Brutus?" I ask.

making me nuts about taking care of you, so I wanted to make sure you had something to eat. I was worried

know how to cook?" I ask, stepping into the small area that consists of a kitchen and breakfast

used to cook for my mate all the time. But, well, since she passed, I haven't really done

over

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them

bring me

of a man blushes and ducks his head. "I was

look at the flowers again. "I'm not sure anyone has ever brought me flowers before. They're beautiful.

sit down to eat. The food is surprisingly

SO.

"Why surprisingly?" he asks.

a warrior. Usually omegas

like to cook. I like to do nice things for the people I care about." His eyes are intent on

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