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. “How is everything

me a report on patrols, warrior training, and other things that happened in the pack while I

recognizing that together, these two are quite the power couple. If they

their own pack. And while I’m very happy for them, and we’ll be having a celebration for them when they return

Jaime and I have already been talking about that, Alpha.

of warriors, all strong fighters, all of them are competing for their own pack. It’s

other Alphas, am struggling to offer lessor positions to warriors who are fighting for an Alpha position. And besides, I have someone else in

curious as if the idea of me promoting them

a look like it should be

asks, turning to

not even ranked,” Jaime

my brow arching

mean…” he

Alpha, we never thought that we’d be eligible given that I’m of Gamma blood and Jaime’s family comes from a

“And what were the credentials of the group you just provided

close their mouths, looking at each

see more confidence in the two of you,” I say sternly, but it’s

Alpha. We’ll…” Penny looks at

everything we need to know so that we can

have no doubt that

each other again. “Yes,” Penny says