The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 100: Convincing Margot Ezra

"Margot, may I have a word with you?" I ask, walking up to her, Beta Kinsley, and Luna Sophie.

I've never considered myself easily in midated, but Robin and Kayce are on to something. Intelligent, empowered women emit. a strength I'm not used to seeing or feeling. Put them together in a group, like now, and it's intimidating, even for an Alpha like

me.

Three pairs of eyes turn to look at me, one assessing, one questioning, one defiant. Guess which one is defiant.

"Go ahead," she says, and I look at the other two.

"I thought perhaps we could speak privately. But if you would prefer to have this conversation in front of your friends..."

She stands. I've obviously called her bluff. Oh, this woman is challenging. She's getting her wings back and rather than just trying to fly, she's continually flapping them in my face..

But I'm an Alpha and I love a good challenge. Whether she means to or not, she's only making my desire for her stronger.

"I'll be back in a moment,” she says to Beta Kinsley and Luna Sophie, breezing past me.

I watch both women's lips twitch before I turn and follow my mate out into the hallway.

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When she's found the spot where she wants to talk, she spins. around, her chin high and her hands clasped in front of her.

"What can I do for you, Alpha Ezra?" She continually uses my title to keep distance between us, even though I've asked her to call me Ezra.

Rather than answer, I take a moment to assess her. Sparring with her has given me time to see how her body moves, when it's sore and when it's not. Right now, she's standing just off center, meaning either

her leg or her hip is bothering her. She also rolled one shoulder when she clasped her hands, so I'd guess the shoulder that she fell on during our session today is still sore as well.

The longer I look her over, the tighter her lips press together and the brighter the pink stain in her cheeks becomes.

just want to ogle me, Alpha Ezra? You could do that

that?" I ask, responding to her snark before I could catch myself. Her eyes flash to mine and she takes a step to

constant challenges of me have me on

I have to tell

mate, that makes

"What do you want?"

if you want to go with me

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check on things since I'm staying here longer than I

me. This time, I have me and Thorin under control. But that doesn't mean that I

"No."

a lot of women and children there who lost their mates and I want to make sure we're doing everything we can to help them. I also want to make sure that the

spoken, her posture has relaxed, and now that it is, I can see her subtly shifting her weight to relieve some of the strain on her

can go at her pace and let

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part of the deal has her hesitating as I knew it would. I also think the thought of helping other women is intriguing to her. "I will say, I can't guarantee your safety. I will protect you with my life if someone attacks us, but if Joshua comes while we're out in no man's land, it will be a

"But I don't want

dying for me, Ezra. My life will be too short to waste yours on,"

I have her against the wall, my

that, Ezra. You need to as well. You need to let me reject you. You won't carry my mark, but my death will still

You have a pack that relies on you. I have no

holding her against me but pulling away from the wall. "Now you listen to me. I told you once, but I will tell you as many times as it takes, Margot. I lost one mate in this

am, I force myself to remain gentle, urging her to give in to the kiss. Her wolf is awake enough that I know she feels the bond. I'm nearly ready to pull away, thinking that I've made a huge mistake, when I feel her relax, her body leaning into mine,

Chapter 100. Convincing Marget

to move with mine. Her hands slide up my arms, linking behind my

tightly against me. I let one hand slide into her hair, gently holding her as we kiss. I don't

against mine. When I smell

today. I told him I

she asks, pulling

her face, gently wiping the tears from eyes. I don't ask about them. I'm sure she's struggling with this