The One He Claimed by cooper (Sophie and Hunter) novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47

#288 (Vouchers

The room erupts into howls and cheers as Amelia blushes and Calvin preens.

“Congratulations.” Dutton says as Sophie and I clap along with the rest of the pack.

When it quiets down, Alpha Carter continues. “It’s too soon to know if I’ll have a grandson or granddaughter, but either way, Amy and I will spoil them rotten!”

“Dad…” Amelia groans at her father.

“Benefits of being a grandparent, Amelia,” he says unabashedly, as the pack laughs and cheers

again.

“Please make sure that you take time to congratulate them this evening while they are here visiting. And my second announcement,” he says, coming to stand behind Sophie.

“Our daughter, our little girl, has returned. Sophie is now mated to Alpha Hunter who most of you know has been and remains a friend of this pack. Our daughter is safe and loved and she’s come back to us.”

There’s a lot of murmuring before the pack begins cheering again, although not as strongly as they did for the announcement of Amelia’s baby. I can tell that they aren’t sure how to feel about Sophie being mated, but they all seem happy to have her back.

Carter looks at me. “Will you stand with me, Hunter.”

“Are you sure, Carter?”

“My pack needs to know, regardless of the decisions that are made by others.”

I stand, seeing Dutton angle his chair to watch us, realizing that this is the reason that he was invited this evening.

“Members of my pack, you all know how difficult it’s been for us since Sophie left. You all know my stance and how I refused to search for my daughter because I didn’t want to see her go through what so many other ranked she–wolves have and continue to go through. You’ve all felt the pressure that many of the Alphas have put on us, the constant monitoring to see if we were sneaking Sophie home. Obviously, now that she’s back, that will stop,” he says and the pack cheers again. The constant pressure of being under the scrutiny of the Alphas must have been a lot for them to bear.

0.00%

11:32

288 (Vouchers

Chapter 47

I feel Sophie’s sadness, taking on the responsibility of the pack’s stress caused by these Alphas. I reach out and put my hand on her shoulder, reassuring her. When she looks up at me, I wink at her. She places her hand on mine and takes a deep breath, calming herself

I notice Dutton watching the interaction intently. Surprisingly, Calvin is also watching the interaction. It makes me wonder if he still struggles to calm Amelia with his touch. Sophie responds to mine almost instantly

“As I said. Alpha Hunter has always been and remains a friend of this pack. Unlike the other Alphas,” he says and nods at Calvin to let him know he holds no ill–will towards him, “Alpha Hunter marked and mated my daughter in private.”

There are gasps throughout the room, then the murmuring begins. I see Dutton nodding his head as if Carter just confirmed his guess.

“I am telling you now, as your Alpha, that I intend to put the full force of this pack behind Alpha Hunter as he fights against the injustices that our she–wolves suffer on their 18th birthdays. He intends to fight our laws and change them. With my daughter at his side, I know that he will succeed.”

I wait, not sure what to expect from the pack’s reaction. I’m shocked when they all begin cheering and howling. Carter’s pack is more strongly unified behind him than mine was behind me. I need to figure out how he managed that so I can bring that same unity to my pack.

I turn and look at my mate. Maybe it’s Sophie. Carter’s pack obviously adores her. Their happiness at hearing that she has returned is so strong that it’s almost tangible in the air. Maybe there is a reason that my mate is the legend. Maybe it’s more than her just being the first she–wolf to run from the claiming process. Maybe she’s the kind of woman that people adore, the kind that people believe in.

The kind of woman, as Amelia said, who people can rally behind.

Without thinking, I take her hand, helping her to stand. “I have no doubt that with you by my side, we will win,” I say, leaning in to kiss her. I feel her hesitation for just a moment, and I stop, a hair’s breadth from her lips.

When she leans forward, pressing her lips to mine, the pack becomes so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Sophie

When Hunter leaned in to kiss me, I could see in his eyes, feel through our bond, that something sparked a strong emotion, a flash of love for me. So, while I wasn’t surprised that he leaned in to kiss me, my immediate reaction was concern that others would see us.

43.93%

11:31

Chapter 48