The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 177: New Alliances

Hunter

Before we leave for home, Robin, Kayce, Dutton, Ezra, and I all meet with Jake and Letti.

“I know you’ve got a lot going on, Alpha Jake,” Ezra says to his former Beta, who frowns.

“Are we going to be this formal all the time?” he asks Ezra who smiles at him.

“That’s up to you. Generally, when an Alpha enters into an alliance with another Alpha, their conversation becomes more casual.”

Jake looks at Letti, then at all of us. “Well, most of you helped Letti when she was on the run, or took her in and gave her a place to live, or are dear friends of hers,” he says looking from me, to Allison and Kayce, to Nikki And I know that I’m forever indebted to my former Alpha for giving me this opportunity, so, is it unheard of for an Alpha to create an alliance with many other Alphas?” he asks.

I smile, letting Ezra take the lead. “No, it’s not and in this case, it’ s preferred. I, myself, have been neglectful in creating alliances with Alphas Robin, Kayce, and Dutton. Hunter and I have been in an alliance since I was mated to his sister,” he says and I see the tightening around his mouth, the regret that he still holds for how things went with Diana. I notice that Margot reaches out to put a hand on his arm. She noticed the stress as well.

“You may also want to consider creating an alliance with Alpha Amelia. She’s not here because she’s so close to her due date, but her pack borders mine and Hunter and I have already formed an alliance with her. I expect that whoever wins Alaric’s old pack will do the same,” Dutton says.

“When can I start setting up alliances?” Jake asks.

“I just so happened to bring an alliance agreement with me, in the event that you won this pack, Jake,” Ezra tells him. “But, since you need to return to get your things anyway, we can sign it when you come back.”

“We can sign it before you leave,” Jake says excitedly, making Letti laugh at her mate.

“What about the rest of you?” Letti asks.

“Well, we talked about you coming to mine and Hunter’s packs to talk to the pack members who used to live here. I’m happy to sign one then,” Robin says.

“Same, but there is another matter we need to discuss with you, and we could all get caught up on our alliances at that time as well,” I say, looking at Ezra. Jake has the closest relationship with him, and since he’s Jake’s mentor, he’ll be the one spending the most time explaining everything to him.

Ezra nods. “We need to have a trial. While we were here, Alpha Zahn attacked Alpha Hunter’s pack. His warriors were killed, but Alpha Zahn remains alive. There is a reason for that, but because of the circumstances, and because we are changing the laws of our alliance, we’d like for you to preside over the trial and we’d like you to host it here,” Ezra tells him.

Both Jake and Letti look shocked.

“What Ezra has failed to mention is that we will provide you with everything you need to know prior to the trial. Everyone

understands that this is your first trial and that you are a new Alpha, but you were chosen for this task for that reason, because you are unbiased. The rest of us have knowledge of, or experience with this situation,” Margot says.

eyeing her. I wonder if she realizes that she just acted like

us will be new to this process. In truth, we think this is a good starting point for all of us. It’s a pretty clear case. But, the other side of that, Letti, is that it’s not always easy to get your bearings as a Luna. If we’re here, we can support. you and help you find your way, especially since both of you will be new to all of your pack members: That

that,” Letti breathes, obviously

well. Then you can visit Robin and Hunter to talk to the pack members currently residing with them, and then we can set a

to me,” Jake

you, for both of you, if you need anything. That’s part of what the alliance is for, but it’s also what friends are for,” Sophie says to them, and I watch them both relax

turn to smile at my mate. She has such a great way of calming those around

I don’t feel

you fail, my friend. But it’s not in you to fail. You’re going

Letti to come visit our pack in a couple of weeks and then we begin to say goodbye to

to let the contenders see what

close, so perhaps Alpha Jake and Luna Letti can stop at Hunter’s pack and then continue on

about that. “That would be a good excuse for me to meet my niece,” she says

to the last time that you leave the pack until you have

again. Plus, Amelia will need someone to hold Athena while she refs the

more Alphas to referee the matches. Things should go

may have more competing too,”

to know each. other and have these friendly competitions. Maybe once we have the community area built, we can add in quarterly or annual competitions to keep the packs motivated to train hard, to maintain cohesiveness between our packs, and to have bragging rights,” I say, already loving the idea

area?”

we’ll add you to the group, Letti. The Lunas are in charge of putting the ideas together for a community area. If we’d had more time, we’d have done it while we were here, but it

can send you what we’ve talked about already, Letti, but we’re looking at using the mountain that is in the center of all of our packs, well, except for Ezra’s,

food for the she-wolves on the

more time with Sophie, you’ll never have a dull moment in your life again,” Nikki says,

your life to become dull, Nikki. I’m pretty sure your mate hasn’t had a dull

a thing,” Robin

help Allison this time as well. Then we take off running towards home. I’m excited to return to our pack, ready to make sure that everyone

and the pack welcomes us home. Pack members rush up to us in wolf form and I can feel their excitement to proudly tell us everything

packhouse, trying to help calm the excitement that is nearly overwhelming. Almost the entire pack is yipping and howling with the thrill of defeating Zahn’s pack. When we

slides off Shaw’s back and h pull the shift, while most of the pack members shifting

Lucas says from the back of

protective of Sophie with so many pack members crowding us and wanting our attention, but she pushes her calm into me and into the pack, letting her pride

waves of gratitude to my pack so they know how much I appreciate their willingness to fight even without me here.