The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 183: Talking to Amelia

Hunter

Sophie is trying very hard to manage her jealousy and she’s doing an amazing job at it. I’m reinforcing her positive behavior with her sister because I know she’s struggling. I can’t hide my admiration for Amelia. I cannot imagine that if I was a new Alpha and a new mother or even a new father, that I would be able to balance everything the way that she is. But as I told Sophie, I can admire the woman and not want her in my bed. What I am realizing is that Amelia is more like Sophie than thought. And apparently, Jocelyn has picked up on that as well.

The two of them hit it quickly. I haven’t spent a ton of time with Jocelyn, letting Sophie take the lead there, but the difference in her from when she arrived in our pack to now is significant. There’s a confidence there that I wasn’t there before, and I don’t think it’s solely because she’s getting her body and her mobility back. I think it’s because she’s away from Zahn. I’ll never understand a man who thinks that keeping his mate down makes him stronger. I know from experience that the stronger my mate is, the stronger I am as a man and as an Alpha.

I feel a wave of desire roll through Sophie and I turn to look at my mate. She’s looking at me assessingly and I smile at her.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

“I’d never thought that seeing a man holding a baby would be sexy. But seeing MY man holding a baby and thinking about him holding MY pup in the near future…”

I growl softly as her thoughts move to us making more babies.

“You’re right, it’s a good thing we have space on that wall Hunter. You may have to build me another packhouse before I’ m done having your pups,” she purrs, loudly enough that others glance our way.

We’re sitting in the general area of the packhouse, holding Athena while Amelia gives Jocelyn a tour of the pack. Today is a relaxed day for us before the chaos of tomorrow begins. I’m also planning to take some time to talk to Amelia about the trial and what she can expect. But before that, I need to calm my mate so she doesn’t go scenting the entire packhouse.

I take her chin in my hand and lean in, taking her mouth in a dominating, possessive kiss, she responds instantly, but I don’t let up until I feel her body relax into submission. It’s not something I do often with my mate, not wanting or needing her submission, but right now, her emotions are all over the place.

When I pull back, I look at her. “Better?”

“Better.”

“We need to reconsider you coming back here next week, Sophie. You’re getting very close to delivering our pup and you know there will be a lot of she-wolves in the competition. You can’t go off on them because you’re feeling jealous.”

“I want to be there, Hunter. You’ll help me, right? What if I go into labor and you’re not there?” she asks, and I feel the worry that she’d be alone during our son’s birth flow through the bond.

“You’re not delivering our pup without me by your side. Let’s see how things go this week,” I tell her. Maybe I can talk to Nikki and Allison, even ask Margot to keep an eye on her. I don’t want to leave her overnight when she’s this far along any more than she wants me gone, but with Lucas competing and Calvin apparently planning to compete, it’s going to be a weird competition.

Caspian and Brooklyn are with them. Amelia takes a now fussy Athena and once again begins nursing her as she continues to go about her day. Jocelyn lets us know that Amelia has

Dr. Felicity is available when my pup is ready to make his appearance, I’m fine

make sure that one of us is in your pack

still directing her pack with a baby in her arms. While I know that I look forward to the day when I can hold my son and carry him around the pack with

impressive as

Sophie

up to our room to rest, while Jocelyn does the same as she’s still recovering from her surgeries. While they rest, I spend time working with Amelia, talking about what to expect with the trial, that we have Jake presiding as our newest Alpha, and that we’d like her, as one of the Alphas in our

it here or in Alaric’s pack. Everyone will already be here and rather than having everyone go somewhere else, we could have Zahn brought here,” she

stare at her a moment.

and overwhelmed as I am, you find ways to make your life

is it going for

I see the tears welling in her eyes

easier than others,” she

worth, I think you’re doing a

that and looks up at me. “Thank

had a pup, created alliances, and the overall feel of the : pack is

of mine. On the other, I prefer him in a position where I can strip his rank and send him packing if

find your ranked members. Matthew is great, but he’s past retirement age. Caleb is a festering sore that’s going to explode at some point in the future and cause nothing but problems for

will continue, but let’s just say it’s three months. No one is going to accept

that you’d be able to

for the warning. I’ll be

more time with Amelia, Athena, and Jocelyn. It’s a good, relaxing time for Sophie as we sit out back and watch the pups play while she sips her tea.

all been together so much recently. And Nikki, being Nikki, had to say something to

of us look

mean?” Amelia asks, once again nursing

the afternoons and here you are, toting your newborn around, nursing her while you direct guests

wouldn’t have been here to greet