The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 172: Preparations for War

Hunter

“Are you sure you can handle him?” I ask Lucas. “He’s becoming more agitated.”

Lucas gives me a look. “Really, Alpha? Are you trying to insult me? You left him with Penny and Jaime in charge, and when we came back the pack clearly left their mark on him.”

“He wasn’t agitated then. He’s been escalating this week, especially after hearing about Amelia taking over as Alpha of her pack. Now he’s practically salivating to know where I’m going and why Sophie and I are leaving again.”

“Trust me, his guards are on alert. Hell, the entire pack is on alert. I know you’ve seen the extra patrols running near the Survivor’s Center. I didn’t tell them to do that, did you?”

“No. They’re just being protective.”

“Exactly. Worst case scenario, Alpha, is that you return and realize you’ll have to go to war again because we killed him.”

“Has anyone heard him on the phones? Do we know who he’s talking to or what he’s talking about?” I ask, Something feels off with Zahn. I feel like something’s about to happen, and it feels like he’ll take advantage of me being gone to do it.

“No. He’s been very quiet about it, but the warriors also haven’t made an effort to listen in,” Lucas says.

‘Jaime, Penny, can you come to my office please,’ I mind link my Ga*as.

“I have a gut feeling that something is going to happen, Lucas. He’s too agitated, too…angry at the changes that are happening and not being able to see Jocelyn.”

A moment later my G**as knock on the door and come in.

“I’m worried about leaving. I feel like Alpha Zahn is working up to doing something, but I don’t know what that could be. Have either of you heard anything about his conversations with his pack members?”

They look at each other, then turn back to me.

“What are you thinking, Alpha?” Lucas asks me.

“One of two things. He either wants to get Jocelyn out of here by force, or he wants to hurt me and Sophie for putting him in this situation, even though he was warned.”

“I think he’d go for Jocelyn first,” Jaime says.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because killing you and our Luna will only make the pack more angry, more willing to fight and more willing to protect Jocelyn. He’d never get her if he attacked the two of your first,” Lucas says, catching on to the thought.

run a drill this morning, before Sophie and I leave. I want everyone ready for an attack while we’re gone. Lucas, double the patrols and triple them around the Survivor Center. Jaime, see what you and the warriors can find out

“Yes, Alpha.”

pack competition is a

mind. “Next time, it could be both of us going, leaving Penny and Jaime here without either of us. Give him the opportunity he’s looking for. Hell, lie to him about how long you’ Il be gone. Tell him

realize it goes against everything in me to leave knowing there’s a potential

attack. Better to plan for an attack we know is coming than to risk being

and throw him in the cells. Kill anyone

“Yes, Alpha.”

alert the pack of an attack drill. It’s breakfast time, so it will be interesting to see how everyone does. Maybe, hopefully, seeing how ready our pack is will dissuade Zahn

is up to something, I just don’t know what it is, but an attack to get Jocelyn out of my

the pack safe, Alpha,” Lucas says, just as Penny’s

an attack drill. Get to your assigned safe rooms. Get into your fight positions. You have two minutes. This is a drill. I repeat, this

out into the organized chaos of the pack

worried voice

I’m worried about Zahn while we’re away. I want to make sure that everyone is ready in case we’re attacked,’ I say, feeling her and

pack under attack?” Alpha

recently that it’s good for everyone

he says, and he tries to make it seem like

safe room,” I tell him vaguely.

just reinforces my gut feeling that he’s

for you to leave, Alpha Hunter. You haven’t mentioned how long

lie that Lucas suggested. I’ll be gone two days tops. Battles start this afternoon. By tonight, we’ll be down to our top twenty-five. The pack should be won by midday tomorrow, and then we’re coming home. “And Lucas is staying this time, so he’ll

Zahn says. “Well, have a good trip, wherever you’re

I say, carefully keeping my voice neutral. When the drill is over, I

warn

take her watch while you’re gone,

send most of my warriors to distract the pack and my elite warriors to get my Luna.

the practice,” she says, and her confidence makes me feel better

asks, walking

pull her into my side as our son continues to grow bigger. “Let’s go say goodbye to

check on her anyway, since I think Dr. Caspian is coming home Sunday to perform another operation on

Caspian and Brooklyn

warn them,’ Lucas says

before taking