The One He Claimed by cooper (Sophie and Hunter) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoy just talking to my mate. We’ve both been so busy, going in multiple directions for so long that I haven’t taken time to just hear about her day. Over dinner, I stay quiet, letting my mate talk animatedly about Brooklyn, how the mates have awakened, and how

Leah may have found a second chance mate as well.

“Seriously, Hunter, what is up with our pack?” she asks me.

“Maybe the Legend has started something special here,” I say, pushing the food aside and beginning to prowl toward her.

“Well, what does it say about you, Alpha, that you’re mated to the Legend?” she purrs at me.

“It says I’m one lucky bastard.” I say before showing her just how much I adore her. love her, and want her.

Hours later when we’re lying in bed, naked and sated, I kiss the top of her

head.

“Want to try to multi–task with the pack?” I ask, knowing that it’s

something she’s recognized more than once and that bothers her that she

can’t do it.

“Yes.” she says excitedly.

“Now’s a good time to practice. I used to do it late at night when the pack’s minds aren’t so active. Once you get the hang of it, you can start trying it at busier times of the day.”

“What do I do?” she asks.

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“Start by opening your mind to the patrols. Listen to their conversations and discussions about what they’re smelling and seeing.” I say, entering her mind to help guide her. We have four patrols, one in each quadrant that run the entire perimeter of the pack. Even this can be difficult as you have four separate groups conversing with each other.

I sense their hesitation when they realize that Sophie is connecting to them, but then they continue, not getting any requests or commands from her. I’m always connected unless I’m asleep or with Sophie, so they’re used to me being part of the mind link.

I help her to filter out the different groups, compartmentalizing them so she can hear them all.

“Very good.” I say to her, feeling her getting tired. “We can practice every night until it’s easier, then we’ll add in the nighttime omegas. That always makes for interesting listening,” I say, chuckling.

“Why is that?” she asks.

“They see everything, hear everything. If I’ve missed something, I usually hear it from the omegas.”

I can sense her curiosity.

“Here, like this,” I say, and help her connect to a small group of omegas that are talking about two pack members who were caught sneaking off to be together.

Sophie gasps. “It’s like a gossip channel.”

“Exactly,” I say before shutting it down. “Now, get some sleep. I love you, Sophie Reynolds.”

“And I love you, Hunter Reynolds,” she says, and we snuggle together, falling asleep.

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Chapter 11

Leah

When I woke in the pack hospital, I was surprised. I hadn’t expected to survive my mate’s death, hadn’t realized that it was even possible for an omega who was mated to someone of a higher rank.

But I had heard my daughter’s voice, over and over, smelled her sweet scent, and listened when she told me that she needed me. My mate never needed me, but my daughter does. I swore that after letting her down once. that I’d never do it again, so I’d fought my own body, my heart, and maybe the Moon Goddess herself to stay with my child. If she needs me I‘ Il be here for her.

Seeing her happy face when I opened my eyes, had made it all

worthwhile. She had wrapped her arms around me and sobbed. I was weak. struggling to wrap my own arms around her, but I did it. A mother can find strength she didn’t know she had when her pup needs her.

After waking, the healing started. I felt hollow and empty, but I hoped that would pass. My wolf was gone, but the doctor said it was possible that I’d get

her back. You just never knew when these things happened.

“I’ve seen mates regain their wolves after a year or more. Sometimes, it just takes them longer to heal and return to us than it does for us to wake up,” he said.

I’d heard Brooklyn when she was talking to me, so I was pretty sure I knew who this was. Watching my daughter, I knew I was right.

“You’re my daughter’s mate?” I asked him when it was just the two of us

in the room.

“Yes, ma’am. And I want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. I won’t hurt your daughter and I don’t have any expectations of her except that she gives me a chance and gets to know me. She’s doing that,

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Chapter 15