The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 137: Names Hunter

The conversation with Dutton and Amelia went well. She included her Beta in the conversation, and he provided

additional insights into Alaric's pack and where he thinks they have weaknesses.

We agreed to surround the pack prior to the attack. Sophie is going to go to Amelia's pack and wait there while our pack takes the east side of Alaric's pack. Amelia and her pack, already being on the west side, will attack from that direction, and Dutton and his pack will attack from the south. That only leaves the north, but it pushes them toward my pack and our warriors will be ready and waiting. After the call with Amelia, I call Lucas into my office.

"I'm leaving you here to run the pack while I'm gone. We're still at risk of another attack and it's possible that those fleeing from Alaric's pack will come this way and may need to be taken out." "Are we taking out everyone?" he asks, and I sigh. This is the problem. I'm not sure how many will run because they want to escape, and how many will run because they are going to lose.

"You'll have to use your best judgement. I trust you to make that decision."

I watch as the weight of my words settles on his shoulders.

"Have you given any more consideration to taking over a pack?"

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I ask him.

He sighs and scrubs his face. "I'd be a fool not to, right? I mean, I love it here. I love being your Beta and I love this pack. But, as Kinsley said, you don't turn away from opportunities like this. If I don't get it, I'll be perfectly fine remaining your Beta, but...I think I have to try."

"I'd be disappointed in you if you didn't," I tell him.

"You make it sound like I'm going to get a pack."

"There will be four available once we take out Alaric. I haven't met all the other Betas, but Ezra mentioned that his Beta would make a good Alpha and leader for a pack. I know you will. With four, there's a lot of opportunity for people to move up. And it's not just for you, Lucas. Think of what that means for your pup."

"Yeah, I know. I have and that's why I know I'll go for it. I may love being your Beta, but my pup may not like yours," he says, smiling.

"Our pups will be best friend regardless of if they are Alpha and Beta or two Alphas," I say.

"Yeah, they will," he says, getting serious again. "Thank you for believing in me."

"This is all you, Lucas. But I know you can do it. However, if you win a pack and Penny doesn't agree to be my Ga**a, I'm not going to be happy," I say seriously.

"Then let's hope she says yes," he says.

That night, I spend time making love to my mate, then I curl up

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next to her stomach and talk to my son. These moments are so special to me, where things are quiet, and I can open myself to feeling Sophie's love and adoration for me as she watches me talk to our son. "What are we going to name him?" I ask, looking up at her.

"I don't know. I haven't given it much thought. Although, both of our fathers are gone now. That would be a nice way to

remember them," she says.

"My father's name was Huntington. Obviously, I was named after him."

"Your parents had a thing for giving names that meant hunter. Yours is obvious, but your father's means something like a hunter's settlement and, of course, Diana is the goddess of the hunt. What was your mother's name?" she asks.

I smile up at her. "Rachel."

She snorts. "So, a family of hunters then.”

"Yes, it's sort of a thing."

"Should we continue that trend?"

"Well, Sophie means wisdom. So, perhaps we could name our children after wise hunters," I say, loving that we're talking about naming our pups, plural.

"Well, my family didn't do the whole naming thing. But I would like to give my father's name to our pup. What about Huntington Carter?" she asks, rubbing her stomach.

"I think it's perfect," I say, kissing her stomach. "What do you

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think Huntington? Do you like your name?" I ask Sophie's stomach. I turn so my ear is pressed against her stomach, then look back up at Sophie.

"He says he likes it," I say, smiling and making my mate chuckle.

I crawl up her body, needing to be inside her again, before pulling her against me and falling asleep curled up with my

mate.

The next morning after warrior training, Penny approaches me.

"Alpha, I'd like to speak to you and Beta Lucas, if you have a few moments."

Mook at Lucas who nods. We wait until the field of warriors empties, leaving the four of us, including Jaime.

"I'd like to thank you both for offering me the position of Ga**a. I've spoken to Jaime and thought a lot about your offer and...I accept."

The smile spreads across my face before I can stop it. I pull my face back and look at Jaime. "Does this mean you intend to join my pack?" "Yes, Alpha, if you'll have me."

"Happy to," I say, turning back to Penny. "You know this means I have to open your position up for challenge, right?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"I'd like to announce your agreement and the opportunity for anyone to challenge you tomorrow during warrior training. Do you have any problems with that?"

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"No." she says, taking a deep breath and letting it out.

"If you're having any second thoughts, now's the time..." Lucas begins.

"I'm not. It's just, well, I never thought I'd have this opportunity and now, it's becoming a reality very quickly."

"Once you're secured in the Ga**a position, we'll bring Jaime into the pack officially, and then we can have your Ga**a ceremony. I'd like to have all that done in the next two days because in three days we're attacking Alpha Alaric's pack and I want you both there with me," I tell them, watching Penny's eyes go wide.

Yes, Alpha."

"May I ask why we're attacking Alpha Alaric's pack?" Jaime asks.

"He attacked and killed Sophie's father, causing the death of her mother as well. It was an unsolicited attack and retribution is warranted." "Understood."

"You realize that she'll be my Ga**a, Jaime, and you'll be a G**a by becoming her mate?"

"I understand. Penny's pretty tough. She deserves this," he says proudly, pulling her in for a hug.

"Okay, let's go make the announcement."

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