The One He Claimed by Cooper

The OnThe On

Chapter 147 An Early Goodbye

288 Noucherst

Chapter 147: An Early Goodbye Sophie

I'm so excited to see my friends. I honestly don't remember a time that I had friendships like I have now. Maybe it's because I was an Alpha female and there was always a power differential in our pack. Now that I'm a Luna, I have friends who are also Lunas. Not all of them, Kinsley is also a good friend, and Penny was a friend before she even got here, but my friendships now are so much stronger than they were when I was younger.

My friends are set to arrive tomorrow and while I'm making plans to spend the day with them, the day after that, Zahn and Jocelyn arrive. I need to make sure I'm ready for that as well.

I look up as someone knocks on my door.

"Hey, can I come in?" Kinsley asks.

"Of course," I say, setting aside my work. She and Lucas had their appointment with Dr. Felicity yesterday and they both happily showed us the pictures of their son. Much like our son, they are naming theirs after Lucas. Lucian and Hunt will be nearly the same age. It will be good for them to grow up together. Now that Lucas is going to compete to win a pack, they will be both be Alphas and strong alliances in the next generation will be important.

"I wanted to um..." Kinsley begins, looking down at her hands, sighing. "I know that Lucas spoke to Alpha Hunter, but I wanted to know what you think about Lucas competing for his own

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Chapter 112 An Early Goodbye

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pack," she says, finally looking up at me.

I'm not sure if she's asking because she thinks it's a bad idea, or if she's worried that my feelings are hurt.

I walk around my desk and come to sit beside her. “I think you and Lucas would make an amazing Alpha and Luna. I think some of these packs will have a difficult beginning, but I think both of you are strong enough to get past that, especially now that the two of you seem to be in sync and working together."

She nods, looking down and I wait her out. "Are you angry that he's considering it?" she asks quietly.

I reach out and cover her hands with mine. "Will I be sad when he claims his pack? Yes. And I say when, not if, because I know he's strong enough to do it. But I would never be angry that you are giving yourselves and your pups the possibility of a better life, better position in the pack. There's no one who could even begin to fill your shoes, but I would never be so selfish to put my wants ahead of yours."

I watch as the tension she's been holding releases and her body slumps. "I'm so glad. I was so nervous about what would happen if he says he wants to compete but then doesn't win a pack and how that might impact our relationship."

I tilt my head at her. "Do you honestly believe that Lucas won't win a pack?"

She shrugs. "I know he's strong. I know he's a good fighter, but I don't know the others that will be competing. Alpha Ezra's Beta was already in Owen's pack, he's already got a feel for the people there. To me, it makes more sense that he would win that pack."

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"Yes, it does make sense that Beta Jake takes over that pack and I know he's interested in competing for it. Owen's old pack members know him, they feel comfortable with him. But there are three other packs, Kinsley."

She nods again.

I wasn't going to say ar hing, but I want Kinsley to know how serious I am that nothing changes between us if they win a pack.

"Actually, I was hoping that it would be Alaric's pack that Lucas would win."

Her head snaps up to me. "Why?"

"Amelia, obviously. I know we can trust Dutton and I know we can trust you and Lucas. Amelia going to have a hard road, especially if she decides to reject Calvin. Who knows how he'll take that. It would be good for her to have true allies that are closer than me and Hunter."

"And I'd still get to see you when you visited your sister," she says, a smile starting to spread across her face.

"You're going to get to see me anyway, my friend. Our sons will be raised together. They'll be friends whether they like it or not!" I insist.

She laughs at that, then throws her arms around me. "Thank you, Sophie. As much as I want this for Lucas and myself, I've been terrified of what it would mean for our friendship."

"I wouldn't be much of a friend if I kept you from trying to achieve your dreams, would I?"

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Chapter 1 An Early Goodbye

When she pulls back, both of us need tissues to wipe our tears. "So, do you know if Lucas has to compete to win Owen's pack in order to compete for Alaric's?"

I knew the moment Hunter felt my tears as his presence in my mind became stronger. When he realized that Kinsley and I were talking, he backed out, bu stayed more present than normal, helping to keep me calm.

'The answer to her question is no, my love,' Hunter says, having heard Kinsely's question in my mind.

"Hunter says no," I say, making her smile.

"Lucas felt my tears too."

"Damn pregnancy hormones," I say, making both of us laugh.

"They are something, aren't they?" Kinsley asks.

"Are you...are you more possessive of Lucas now?"

"Oh my goddess, yes! I thought it was just me," she says.

I shake my head. "I almost snapped at one of our pack members the other day for walking up to Hunter to ask him something. I had to bite my tongue."

"Same! I'm so glad it's not just me."

I smile at her a moment and then feel the tears prick again. "I'm really going to miss you, Kinsley."

"He hasn't even won a pack yet," she says as we hug again.

"Yeah, but he will, especially when you tell him I want it to be the

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one, but I'm always here for you K

She sits back and we both wipe our eyes again. "Okay, I need to get back to work. That was my only reason for coming by, well, that and Jocelyn. I've asked the women in the survivor center if they'd be willing to take her in while she's here. They've all agreed."

"I don't know what she'll want, but I want her to have options. If it were me, I think I'd want to be away from the packhouse and from Zahn."

1 agree, and so did they. It's quiet and peaceful over there, even if there is an underlying sadness about the area."

"Maybe we can think about a garden where they can place memorials for their mates, or something like that," I say.

"1 love that idea. And who knows, maybe Jocelyn is a gardener. Maybe getting her hands dirty planting things will help her to heal"

"I like that idea. I like it a lot."

*TII ask the women if they want a garden like that, and if so, we'll find a spot where we can begin to set it up."

"Perfect, thanks Kinsley."

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"Thank you, Sophie. Really, for everything."

We hug again and after she leaves, it's only a few moments before my mate walks in, giving me a knowing look before opening his arms.

I don't hesitate. I walk right into them, letting him comfort me.

"We'll still see them," he says, pressing his lips to the top of my head.

"I know. It just won't be the same."

"I know. But I love your idea. Having them beside Amelia is an excellent plan."

I hug Hunter as tightly as little Hunt will allow, feeling him moving to press himself against Hunter too.

"I pretty sure once I birth this baby, that I'll barely get to hold him. He's already such a daddy's boy," I say, making Hunter chuckle.

"We'll just have to have another one that's a momma's boy."

Hedda begins purring loudly at that idea, making my mate chuckle again.