The One He Claimed by cooper (Sophie and Hunter) novel Chapter 37

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Chapter 37 The rest of the morning and the drive to Alpha Carter’s pack, Sophie is quiet. I leave her to her thoughts, but I make sure that I’m constantly touching her, letting her know that she’s not alone. She barely eats her breakfast, picking at it before we leave

When we get to the border of his pack lands, I stop for the border patrols, letting them know that I’ve arrived and to announce me to Alpha Carter. It’s standard protocol and I know Alpha Carter will want to greet me as is appropriate when an Alpha visits.

The border patrol leans in, sniffing the air. “Who’s with you?” he asks.

“My Luna.” I say. Sophie’s scent is partially covered with mine and while she still smells like herself, it’s been two years since she’s been home. I’m hoping the patrol won’t recognize her.

I watch his eyes go unfocused and then he looks back at me. “Alpha Carter is expecting you,” he says, and we drive on, following the road to the packhouse.

When we arrive, I step out, nodding to Alpha Carter and Luna Amy who is standing beside him to greet me.

“Alpha Hunter,” he says, looking from Sophie in the car to me. I can tell he doesn’t recognize her yet.

“Alpha Carter, I wanted you to meet my new Luna,” I say and open the door for Sophie. The moment she steps out, Alpha Carter’s nose goes in the air. Luna Amy gasps, one hand going to her stomach, the other shaking hand going to her mouth.

“Soapy?” Alpha Carter says, taking a step forward. Even from here, I can

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smell the salt of tears from both of Sophie’s parents.

“Daddy?” she says, and I step out of her way, wanting to give her this time to reunite with her parents. She runs to her father, and he pulls her into an embrace, hiding his face as he chokes back a sob. I’m not sure if it’s relief that his daughter is alive and well, or if he’s just missed her that much.

Luna Amy steps up to them and Alpha Carter opens his arm, pulling her in so the three of them can embrace, the two women sobbing as they all cling to each other.

I stay back by the car, giving them time to reunite. Because I’m watching, I notice when Alpha Carter looks up at me and glares. He’s just realized that my new Luna is his daughter. I didn’t expect anything else. He doesn‘ t know how I claimed her, not yet at least.

“Where have you been? You’re so thin. Sophie,” her mother says, looking her over as she wipes her eyes. “Come in, come in, have you eaten?”

Sophie chokes on a half laugh, half sob as she wraps her arm around her mother’s waist and takes a step to go inside.

“Sophie.” I call to her quietly, reminding her that I’m here.

“Oh! Oh, Dad, Mom, this is Alpha Hunter, my mate,” she says, holding

out her hand for me.

I step up to her, but my eyes never leave Alpha Carter’s. I’m prepared for him to punch me. His hands are in fists.

“Perhaps we should have that breakfast in private. We have much to discuss,” I say to him.

“Yes, I guess we do,” he growls, turning on his heel and walking inside, but not before he wraps an arm around Sophie protectively, leading her inside ahead of me. Her mother glances at me worriedly over her shoulder

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Chapter 37

as she hugs Sophie.

Alpha Carter leads us to a private room, not saying anything to his pack yet about Sophie’s return. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s angry, thinking that I publicly claimed his daughter, of if it’s because he just wants time alone with her before the pack demands their time.

“Sophie, what happened to your hair?” Luna Amy asks as we walk into the private room.

Sophie laughs. “Hunter hates it too. It was to help me hide, but now that I don’t have to hide anymore. I’ll let it grow out,” she says.

When we sit. Alpha Carter purposefully puts Sophie between himself and his mate while I sit across from them. It’s fine for now. I understand why he’s feeling so protective of his youngest daughter, but once he knows the truth. I’m hoping he’ll relax.

Luna Amy begins peppering Sophie with questions about where she’s been. I heard the story so many times after last night, I could probably tell it, but I stay quiet and