The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 165: Big Softy

Hunter

I’m so thankful that Sophie is willing to go with me to Owen’s pack. I would have left her here, knowing the pack would protect her if Zahn acted like a fool, but I prefer having her near me so that I can protect her and my pup

When she returns from seeing Jocelyn and lets me know that she’s willing to join me, I lead her into the dining hall where I know that Zahn is having breakfast.

“Alpha Zahn,” I say loudly. The room quiets and everyone looks over at us. Zahn stands up.

“Is something wrong, Alpha Hunter? Is it Jocelyn?”

“Jocelyn is fine and recovering well. Sophie just came from the hospital. I wanted to let you know that Sophie and I, along with my Betas, Lucas and Kinsley, will be leaving the pack overnight.”

“Where are you going?” he demands.

“That is not your concern.”

“I came here for you to help Jocelyn, not for you to leave the moment we arrived.”

“You arrived several days ago, Jocelyn has received her first surgery, and she is healing nicely. I wanted to let you know that my Ga**s are in charge, Penny and Jaime.”

Zahn snorts, no doubt because Penny is underage. “I also wanted to let you know, in front of my pack members, that if you go against my G**as, if you try to push yourself into Jocelyn’s space against her will, the pack has my permission to rip you to shreds.”

His face darkens in anger. Brutus and William made sure to leave Zahn bruised when they dragged him back to the packhouse last night.

“You have no right to keep me from my mate,” he growls.

“I have every right if that is her wish and so far, it is.”

“If your pack touches me, it will mean war,” he snarls, trying to threaten me. If his pack is as pitiful in a fight as he is, my pack will barely notice.

“You wouldn’t be the first Alpha to go against me and lose,” I growl, my hand in Sophie’s is the only thing keeping me from getting in Zahn’s face. I watch as the realization of my words hits him. He would know about Elias and Joshua. I’m not sure what he knows about Owen other than he’s dead.

“What the **k am I supposed to do around here if my mate won’t see me?” he asks frustratedly throwing his arms in the air.

you access to a computer so you can work. That’s what I would

shaking his head. “I have a

I say, as Lucas and Kinsley step up

Alpha,” the two say

“Ready?” I ask Lucas

that Kinsley can carry our bags

was destroyed by Joshua. However, I wanted Sophie to have something softer to sleep on, so I’ve rolled a thick blanket up into our bags. It isn’t a lot, but she’ll already be a bit unbalanced riding

body, making sure nothing is pressing against our stomach too tightly and that everything is comfortable. Then I strip and put my clothes in the bag before letting Shaw pull

running her fingers through his fur. Hedda begins purring loudly as Shaw presses his nose against her belly, sniffing our pup.

purring. I can hear pack members

and patiently waits while Sophie gets on his back and gets settled. He turns his head to watch her, nuzzling her when she struggles to get on his back. Sometimes I forget that my wolf loves our mates as much as I do, but it’s moments like this

as lucky as I am. Not all humans openly share themselves like you do. But yes, Sophie and Hedda are as precious to me as they are to you. And our son will be just as precious,’ Shaw says, sending me an image of our young son on

wolf is tough enough to take down

I’ll manage,’ he purrs, using his face to push Sophie

“Finally! This is ridiculous!”

It makes it harder for you to move

grumbles in

‘Ready?’

she says out loud, looking

wasn’t that hard for

you, Sophie. Second, I’m carrying a Beta pup, you’re carrying an

as Shaw stands and nods at Dario. The two of them take off at a slow jog, moving as easily as they can so they don’t jostle our pups. I let Shaw focus on our surroundings, and I keep focused on Sophie, making sure she doesn’t seem too uncomfortable or starts to bounce too much. About halfway, we stop. We’re higher on the mountain, and it’s a good spot to let our mates get some water. Sophie chooses to stay on Shaw’s back, worried about getting back on, but

forget how beautiful it is up

bringing food up here, I was always nervous, so I didn’t really take the time to enjoy it, but you’re right, Sophie. It’s gorgeous.

says. She opens up the mind link to Lucas and Kinsley and we can all see her

some picnic benches or maybe

through their minds

have a place to bring our pups as they grow up. Once they get

up here for star-gazing on cooler evenings with the family,’

sit down with Nikki, Allison, the twins, and Amelia and really determine what we want up here, since this mountain is centrally located

set something up,” Sophie

earlier this morning so they could look around. Robin, Kayce, Ezra, and I are. planning to put stakes on the borders of the pack lands. Since this pack is like mine, not