The One He Claimed by cooper (Sophie and Hunter) novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

He smiled, his eyes staring off “She’s amazing, your daughter. Truly an incredible woman.

**

“Yes, she is.” I said, proud that someone recognizes that in Brooklyn.

He looked back at me. “We all agree that she gets that from you,” he’d said surprising me.

“I’m not strong, not like Brooklyn.”

“Aren’t you? You’re here. You could have given up, but you didn’t. You somehow, and I still can’t fathom how you did it, got your daughter here, after rejecting your mate and you saved her life. And once again, you protected your daughter when her father came to take you back.”

“Brooklyn did that,” I tell him.

“Brooklyn shot him, but she wouldn’t have had the gun if you hadn’t purchased it, ready to protect your daughter at all costs, including your own life.” he said, holding my gaze. “That, my future mother–in–law, is strength.”

I was surprised that Brooklyn had told him about what had happened. It’s the only way he could have known. Perhaps she is giving him a chance.

I’d spent another day at the hospital, gaining strength and making sure I could walk unassisted. I realized just how much my daughter was doing in the hospital, helping out and how much she had done while I was

unconscious.

The warriors all started coming to see me after I woke, wanting to let me

0:00

26

122947

know how thankful they were to Brooklyn and how they have made sufe to protect her and me while I was unconscious. The massive outpouring of love from the pack had been incredible, nearly overwhelming. It was almost as if they were flooding my mind with love and support to help me heal

One warrior in particular. Brutus, came to visit with me. The moment he had entered my room, I’d known. I don’t know why the Moon Goddess does the things she does. I’d just gotten out of a miserable mate bond, and here, in front of me, was another warrior, another mate, only this one was three times my size.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I don’t know what your relationship was like with Michael, but I know I never had much respect for the way he spoke about you and Brooklyn. He was a fool. I am not a fool. I also know you just woke up after losing your mate and probably have no desire to take on another mate. But don’t reject me, Leah. You’re too weak. I won’t do anything you don’t want, but don’t kill yourself after everything Brooklyn has done to keep you alive, just because you’re afraid of me. You don’t need to fear me.”

He sat with me that first day, barely leaving my side after he’d come in. He told me about how Brooklyn stitched him up, how he’d been watching over her for me while I was out, as had the other warriors. How he’d made sure Dr. Caspian didn’t do anything that Brooklyn didn’t want and wasn’t ready for.

“I’ll give him credit. He didn’t flinch at us constantly being here watching him. That, more than anything, made me believe that he’s the real deal and telling the truth about taking it slow with Brooklyn. I know you probably want to make up your own mind about him, but that’s my assessment, for what it’s worth.”

“It’s worth a lot, thank you, Brutus.”

26

12.39

He had come back the next day after his patrol and helped to get me back to my home. I told Brooklyn that it was fine for her to stay at the hospital. She seems to like it there, her desire to help others finally having an

outlet.

I dreaded going home. I don’t want to see the broken door, the blood on the walls from where Brooklyn shot Michael. I’m sure they removed the body, but my little house will be a mess and I’m not sure I stomach the thought of staying there.

However, when we arrive, I see that the door is fixed.

“What’s this?”

Brutus shrugs. “Me and some of the other warriors came in and cleaned the place up for you. We didn’t want you or Brooklyn to have to come back to this mess. It was the least we could do after she stitched many of us.”

up so

I was overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with their kindness, overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, overwhelmed with the emotions that were spinning around in my head feeling empty, but also now because of Brutus. It had all been too much and I’d broken down in tears.

Brutus, the big giant warrior, had scooped me up as if I was a small pup and held me while I cried. For such a big man, he is surprisingly gentle. He hadn’t told me that I needed to stop crying, or that I was being ridiculous. He’d just held me, murmuring soft, sweet words to me and rubbing my back until I had cried myself to sleep.

00