The One He Claimed by Cooper

Chapter 139: Checking In Sophie

We had an early G**a ceremony, earlier than usual as something like that would usually have a celebration that would extend well into the night and early morning. However, since we all have to leave around 2am, Penny and Jaime's G**a ceremony was a bit muted. Hunter promised that we could have a real celebration after Alaric had been dealt with.

I was proud of our pack. As stressed as everyone is, they embraced Penny as their G**a, knowing that she's underage. They also embraced Jaime and when I asked Hunter about it, he said it was his fighting skill.

"He's really good, Soph. Like, really good. I can see why his previous Alpha felt intimidated by him. If he is anything like Aiden or Owen, Jaime would have had no problem defeating him for their Alpha title." "How do Alphas like that stay in power? If they aren't strong, if they can't defeat every member of their pack, how to they remain the leaders?"

"The short answer is that they kill their competitors or threaten their families. Fear and intimidation don't make a strong pack, but it makes a dutiful one."

"Dutiful. What a c**y word. Do you think anyone in our pack feels like it's their duty to submit to any of us?" I ask him.

Chapter 139 Checking in.

He smiles at me. "Why don't ask them?"

And I did. I got up on the stage where Penny and Jaime had so recently taken their vows as our G**as, I stopped the party and asked our pack if they felt that their allegiance to me and Hunter was because of duty rather than choice.

"Um, excuse me, Luna, but what are you asking? It is our duty to submit to you. I think I speak for the entire pack when I say that we all willingly fulfill that duty, but it is a duty. That's how a pack runs. There's a hierarchy and we all have our place, a duty to the pack," Lucas says, frowning at me.

I looked at Hunter who joined me on stage, wrapping an arm around me and kissing the top of my head before looking out over the pack. "Sophie and I were just discussing how Alphas such as Owen, Alaric, or Aiden remain in power. I told her it was based on fear and intimidation, and she was worried that some or all of you might feel that way about us," Hunter explained, much better than I did. Immediately the entire pack, even the ones who hadn't chosen to join our pack yet, began to speak at once about how different our pack was and how happy they were to be a part of our pack. "It's our choice, Luna. And I won't lie and say that choice was always easy. You and Alpha Hunter keep us on our toes by constantly pushing the old ways out and by protecting those who are running from the mistreatment of other packs. But that just makes me prouder to be a part of this pack. I respect every one of you as my leaders and I think every pack member here would say the same," Brutus says. "I would add that it may be hard, but it's the right thing to do, and we, your pack, stand behind you. I've been to many, many

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packs in my years as a doctor, and I've never felt th

cohesiveness that I feet in this pics. The stripes that you've faced have only made you stronger together, and I'm proud to have been able to accept all of yr as my leaders tonight" Dr Caspian says The others murmur their agreement, making me feel more settled. "I know it hasn't always been easy, and i want all of you to know how much your love and support means to me and to Hunter. Thank you for being such an incredible pack

I'm not sure if it was my words, of just that our pack 'in dready so amazing, but everyone was up and ready to go in the early morning hours, including our new Gemmes.

"When we get close, Penny, I'm sending you and Jaime to make sure Sophie gets to Amelia's pack lands. You two suppo her pack members in the push from the west white Sophie follows behind," Hunter tells them before turning to me.

"I don't want you fighting, I want you to stay in the back. Amelia will do what she feels she must, but you have nothing to prove, Soph. The only reason you're going is so you and Amelia can deliver the killing blow."

He turned back to Penny and Jaime. "Alaric is the target, but Sophie's safety is both of your responsibility. I'm putting my entire life into your hands, I don't have to tell you how important that is,” he says seriously

I look at the two of them concerned that this is too much to put on them so soon.

"We won't let you down," they both say, almost in unison.

Chapter 139: Checking In

"I know you won't, that's why you're my G**as," he said and when he shifted, I got on his back, and he howled our exit from the pack. Our warriors had howled with him, and the ones remaining sent up howls of luck and love.

When we got close enough, Hunter stopped, shifting quickly and pulling me into his arms. "Sophie, I know you'll want to fight, but please, for me, don't. Let me do this. I need you safe. I need our pup safe. I know it goes against everything inside of you to stand in the back and not fight at the frontut please do this for me," he pleads, putting his face in my neck and breathing deeply.

I know my mate. I know that he won't be able to focus on getting Alaric if he's worried about me. I can't lose him any more. than he can lose me, so I wrap my arms around him and give him the comfort he needs.

"I won't fight, Hunter. Not unless I have to. I promise."

He leans down, kissing me hard and fast. "Take care of my mate and pup," he says.

"You better take care of MY mate," I growl back.

He nods at Penny and Jaime before turning, shifting, and informing the pack in the mind link to follow him.

Jaime and Penny shift, and I get on Jaime's back, since he's the bigger wolf. We run to Amelia's borders and let the patrols know that we're here.

When we get deeper into the pack, we find their warriors ready to go. I slide off of Jaime's back and walk to my sister. She's changed so much since taking over as Alpha. It's almost as if 72.37%

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she's become more serious, her strength and confidence surrounding her. As I walk toward her, the term 'Warrior Alpha' comes to my mind.

Hunter is right, my sister had no idea how strong she was, but she's learning quickly.