The One He Claimed by Cooper novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Scout Trails
Hunter
We run hard to be the first ones there. We’re the closest to the mountain, with Kayce a close second. Carter and Dutton are on the opposite side of the mountain from where we are going, so it will take them a bit longer to get there. Robin is on the other side of Kayce, so unless they come together, he’ll be behind Kayce.
As we run up, I hear the sound of pounding paws coming from the direction of Kayce’s pack. Shaw lifts his head and howls a challenge, in case it’s not Kayce. Rodion, Kayce’s wolf, answers the challenge and the two of us meet at the spot where Ezra found the scout trails.
I shift, as does Kayce. “I take it your mate didn’t like you leaving any more than mine did?” he asks me, realizing we were both delayed for the same reason..
“I left a very unhappy and upset mate behind,” I say, looking around.
“As did I,” he says, turning around and sniffing the air like I am.
“Well, not that I didn’t believe him, but Ezra is right. These are definitely scout trails. I caught one that came much too close to my pack for my comfort. I’ve got my Beta checking them out and I wouldn’t be surprised if Robin has the same. I found a trail that veered off toward his pack as well.
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I sniff, finding the scents that Margot must have found.
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“Margot said some of these scents are from Joshua and Elias’ packs, but I also smell Koden’s scent, so I guess he’s working with Joshua now.”
We turn as we hear another set of pounding paws, seeing Robin’s dark brown wolf, Derric.
He shifts and gracefully stands, nodding at both of us. “Aiden’s pack’s scent is up here too, so he’s definitely working with Joshua as well,” he says immediately, having heard our conversation. “I followed his trail from just outside my pack to here. I have Nikki making sure there aren’t any other trails around our pack,” he says, looking around.
He sniffs the air and begins following one particular scent.
“What is it?” Kayce asks him when he begins to growl low in his chest.
“Alaric’s Beta, Camden, the one who wanted Nikki. His scent is here as well.”
“So, they’re all working together,” I say.
Kayce frowns. “I don’t smell Zahn.”
“He’s closer to Calvin’s pack,” I say.
“Did you hear Zahn’s mate woke up?” Robin asks.
“No, how did you hear that?” Kayce asks him.
“Nikki has friends all over. We’re using her connections to keep in touch as best we can with what’s happening in those packs.”
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“I was hoping Zahn would come around,” Kayce says as we hear two more sets of paws pounding against the earth. We all turn to see Carter and Dutton coming up the side of the mountain.
Dutton’s wolf, Orion, is snarling before he even gets to us. When they shift, I can see him seething.
“Alaric has been scoping our packs,” he growls.
“With Aiden’s assistance,” Carter says, leaning over and gasping for air.
“You okay there, Carter?” I ask him.
“I’m not as young as you three, give me a minute,” he says, panting.
“So, Aiden and Alaric are working together,” Robin says, focusing on Dutton.
“What do you mean?” Dutton asks.
“His Beta’s scent is up here. I recognize it from when he was at Hunter’s pack, looking for my mate,” he snarls.
“And Aiden wants my mates, but he’s not going to get them,” Dutton snarls.
“Well, thank goodness no one wants my mate, but they do seem to want my pack,” Carter says standing. He’s showing his age. If he’d had a son, he would have retired by now. Instead, he’s still running a pack with no end in sight. I realize that I need to talk to Calvin. We need to find a way to make sure that Carter’s pack. stays strong until onfe of our pups can take it over. I should get Sophie and Amelia involved in that conversation as well.
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“So, they’re coming after all of us?” Kayce asks, looking around.
“It looks like it, but the question is, will they all attack at the same time, or will they wait. We may have to rethink sending warriors to each other’s packs for the time being. I don’t want to say that we’re on our own, but if Joshua attacks me and the two of you send warriors to assist, it leaves you open to Aiden and Alaric attacking your packs,” I say to Kayce and Carter.
“If that were the case, then my pack would support Kayce, as I’ m sure that Dutton’s would support Carter’s,” Robin says, and Dutton nods. “Your pack is the most at risk, Hunter. You have separation on both sides, gaps between your pack and Kayce’s on one side and yours and Carter’s on the other.”
“Yes. I still think you’re the most at risk,” Carter says.
“Well, me and Ezra right now. He’s got a small contingent of warriors in Owen’s old pack. If they attack there, it would be easy to overpower them and could weaken his pack. His Beta is strong, but not strong enough to go against a full contingent of warriors,” I say.
“And while he’s in your pack, it’s not his Beta that’s leading Owen’s old pack, right? It’s his G**a?” Robin asks.
I look at him. “Does Nikki have friends in that pack as well?” I ask.
He smiles. “My mate is a wealth of information. Your mate is the legend, my mate is the information hotline.”
“So, what do we want to do here?” Dutton asks, looking around.
“We could ambush the scouts, kill them off, delay the attacks,”
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Kayce says.
“They may already have what they need,” Carter says. “By their scents and the scent trails, I’d say they’ve been scouting for at least a week, probably since the last Committee meeting.”
“Joshua definitely has. Margot rejected him as soon as she got to our pack lands. I’m guessing he sent warriors out right away. to find her while he took over Elias’ pack, but if she’s any indication, he’s close to being back to full strength, and he has the warriors from two packs now,” I tell them.
“Carter’s right then, Hunter. Your pack is most at risk. Joshua isn’t going to loan out his warriors to others until he has Margot back. I know if it were one of my mates, I’d do the same, but for much different reasons. He wants to possess and probably punish her for rejecting him,” Dutton says.
“We need to be careful. I don’t want any of you losing warriors because you helped me and your packs were attacked at the same time,” I say.
“Then let’s come up with a plan. If Kayce and Carter send warriors to your packs, Dutton and I will send warriors to theirs, to help support their packs while they’re helping you. Our packs are close enough that they’d be s** to try and hit both our packs at the same time, but if they did, we’d either corral them in the middle of our packs and surround them, or we’d divide their pack warriors, weakening them as we stood back-to-back and fought them off,” Robin says.
“That would definitely work,” Dutton says as we hear two more pairs of paws, heading our way.
I lift my nose in the air as Kayce and Dutton howl a challenge.
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“It’s Ezra and Margot,” I say as Ezra’s wolf, Thorin, howls a response.
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When they run up, Ezra shifts quickly. When he sees that Margot is also going to shift, he pulls a bag around his body, throwing her a shirt.
“I don’t know what you’ve all been planning, but I think Joshua and-whoever he’s working with are planning to take out my warriors in Owen’s pack and use it as their home base while they attack your packs,” he says with no preamble.
“Why do you say that?” Robin asks him.
He points to the ground that is heavily scented with scout trails. “Because this scent is nothing compared to the ones we found surrounding Owen’s old pack just now.”
Capia 164. Tedy Shutestanteg