The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 188: New Position

Calvin

Zahn’s words continue to resonate with me. While our situations are very different, there are still some similarities. I’m separated from my mate, now by her own choice. She’s created alliances with every Alpha that was here for the competition and trial, even the new Alpha, Jake. Today, I’m pretty sure that she’s planning to create an alliance with Alpha Lucas. I know that he and his mate, Luna Kinsley are staying to talk to Alaric’s pack members for a few days before heading back to Hunter’s pack to collect their things. And I know that she’s offered the Beta position to Jocelyn. She continues to increase her position in the werewolf community, creating bonds that will make her, and therefore her pack, stronger.

I watch my mate as she carries my daughter, nursing her while she goes about her day. While I hate that she’s so exposed to others in the pack, I have to admit, she is s** as f***k. I notice that all of these pack members respect her and no one, with the possible exception of Caleb, looks at her lustfully. That guy is a problem that needs watching. It’s why I went to Owen’s pack competition. I wanted to make sure he didn’t try to undermine my mate while he was there.

As I look at Amelia, I realize that I don’t know who this woman is anymore. Being separated from her has made me feel lost, like I no longer know my place in this world. I hadn’t realized the impact she’d had on our pack until she was gone. Now, all that cohesiveness, the pack connection, seems to have followed her here. This pack feels united, and our pack back home feels…as lost as I do.

How did I never know that my mate had such strength in her? How had I never seen this side of her? The compassion, the love for her pack is still there, that has always been present. But this strength? I didn’t know my mate possessed this kind of strength.

It makes me wonder; am I more like Zahn than I realized? Was I holding my mate back, keeping her from being the incredible woman I see in front of me? It was never my intention. I was comfortable with how things were, settled, and, if I’m being honest, complaisant. Now, I see that what my mate needs is a man who shows the same strength and compassion that she does, someone who is willing to stand beside her and pave the way for a new future, a different life for our pups. My mate has changed, grown in the last couple of months, and if I intend to keep her, I’d better start making some changes too.

Hunter POV

It felt good to return to our pack, finally feeling settled. I know there are still many things that need to be done. Those things will always be there, but now, I’m not going anywhere until Sophie delivers our son.

Lucas and Kinsley stayed in Amelia’s pack for two more days, talking to the new pack members and discussing their plans for how they intend to run their pack. I’m proud of Lucas, but I’m really going to miss him. He’s been a fantastic Beta, always reliable, always at my side, always a good friend.

However, I need to move forward and right now, I need to meet with my Ga**as and offer them the Beta position.

When they knock on the door, I tell them to come in, moving from my desk to sit with them.

a seat,” I tell them.

report on patrols, warrior training, and other things that

recognizing that together, these two are quite the power

while I’m very happy for them, and we’ll be having a celebration for them when they return tonight, it means our pack is now

talking about that,

who they chose, so I ask them for the names. They give me a list of warriors, all strong fighters, all of them are

Unfortunately, I, like the other Alphas, am struggling to offer lessor positions to warriors who are fighting for an

curious as if the idea of me promoting them never

a

Penny asks, turning to

not even ranked,” Jaime

arching indignantly. “Are you

I mean…” he

that I’m of

credentials of the group you just

open and close their

Betas, I need to see more confidence in the two of you,” I say sternly, but it’s mostly to snap them

Alpha. We’ll…” Penny

to Beta Lucas and Beta Kinsley when they return, find out everything we need

were incredible Betas, and I have no doubt that you’ll be just as good

other again. “Yes,”