The One He Claimed by cooper (Sophie and Hunter) novel Chapter 256

Chapter 256

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

I

“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 crappy word. Do you think anyone in our pack feels like it’s their duty to submit to any of us?” I ask him.

ľ

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 Gammas, 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

0.00%

11:07 )

Chapter 256

705 Parker harg

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 todo, and we, your pack, stand behind you. I’ve been to many, many packs in my years as a doctor, and I’ve never felt the cohesiveness that I feel in this pack. The struggles that you’ve faced have only made you stronger together, and I’m proud to have been able to accept all of you 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

29 81%

11:07

Chapter 256

To he

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, or just that our pack is already so amazing, but everyone was up and ready to go in the early morning hours, including our new Gammas.

“When we get close, Penny, I’m sending you and Jaime to make sure Sophie gets to Amelia’s pack lands. You two will support her pack members in the push from the west while 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.

r

73.07%

11 07 L

Chapter 257