The One He Claimed

The One 74

Chapter 74: Hunter’s Fear Sophie I knew Hunter wanted a son. He says it didn’t matter, but he’s an Alpha. It was always hard for my father that he never had a son to pass his pack along to. I’ve wondered from time to time what he plans to do with his pack. He’s getting close to retirement age. If either Amelia or I had been a male, we’d have taken over the pack for him by now. So, when my mate howled his excitement, I wasn’t surprised. I was thrilled and touched to the point of tears, though, when I heard the entire pack respond, their own excitement palpable. I love how every little thing that makes us happy, seems to make the pack just as happy. It’s almost like there’s a direct line. between mine and Hunter’s happiness and the pack’s. Maybe there vis. He made Dr. Felicity take nearly a hundred pictures of our pup, intending to pass them around to the pack members, as if they’ Il know what they’re looking at. I’m not even sure I know what I’ m looking at. Then, after I was cleaned off and dressed, we discussed my next visit, what to expect in the future, when to be concerned, and all the things that a couple who is pregnant with their first pup needs to know. Hunter listened with rapt attention, asking lots of questions, and making sure he understood every possible thing that could go wrong and the signs to look for. Dr. Felicity patiently answered all of his questions about me and our pup, my eating, my weight – yes I need to gain some, no Chapter 74: Hunter’s Fear 289 Mouchers being slightly underweight doesn’t put me at risk of losing our pup, exercise, warrior training – yes I can continue for now, sex, sleeping, every possible thing he could think of that might cause me or our son problems. When we finally leave the hospital, pictures in hand, my mate is still practically floating down the street. However, this time, his mind is preoccupied with how he’s going to make sure that nothing happens to me or our pup, rather than the excitement he had about finding out what our pup was going to be on the way to the pack hospital. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Hunter…” “Yes, baby?” he says distractedly. “Hunter!” I say, stopping and pulling him to a stop. “What?” he asks, focusing on me. “Stop worrying. I’m going to be fine. Our pup is going to be fine.” “Maybe you should stay home when I go to the committee meeting this week.” “No f**g way, Hunter. Don’t you dare push me out of that. No one would be s**d enough to try and hurt me and if they were, you’d end them.” I reach up and put my hand on his cheek. “You can’t keep me locked away in a tower until I deliver our son. That’s not the life you promised me and that’s not the Alpha female I am or the mate that you were given. Stand beside me, protect me from any threats you feel I need to be protected from, but don’t hide me away and keep me locked up, Hunter.” He pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight. I can feel the fear in him. Fear that he never shows and almost never feels. It’s a fear that something may happen. to me and his pup. “I’ve never known fear until this very moment, Soph. I’ve never had so much in my life to live for, so much that could be taken away from me, so much to fight for. If anything were to happen to you or our son…” “It won’t. You won’t allow it. I trust you, Hunter. Completely. Now, it’s your turn to trust me. Trust that I won’t allow anyone to hurt our son either. I won’t allow anyone to take me or him from you. And don’t even get me started on how feral Hedda would go if someone tried to take you from me,” I say, earning a smile. He lays his forehead against mine. “I’m not going to tell you that I won’t become overbearing, especially when we’re at the committee meeting.” “I have no intention of leaving your side. You’re my mate. We are partners. We should stand side by side against those who want to make our world less than it should be.” Hunter starts chuckling. “What’s funny?” I ask him.

“Can you imagine what this conversation is going to be like one day between Robin and Nikki?” I laugh. “She’ll win that fight.” “Just as you did,” he says, taking my hand and walking us toward the packhouse, Chapter 74 Hunter’s Fear “I wouldn’t call that a fight,” I say. “A battle of wills?” “Hmm, you gave in awfully quickly if that’s what that was.” “You made some very good points and I also know deep down that I’m being unreasonable because of my fear.” “Well, today, let’s celebrate with our pack,” I say as we walk inside. “WE’RE HAVING A BOY!” he announces and as the pack comes to congratulate us, he begins handing out pictures, showing everyone where he thinks our son’s penis is proving that it’s a boy. I shake my head and accept hugs from our pack members and our friends. When the congratulations finally die down, I head to the kitchens, looking for Kinsley. I need to find out what’s going on with her. I say hello, thanking more people when they congratulate me on our pup, but I’m not seeing Kinsley anywhere. I’ve just about. decided to mind link her to see if she’s still upstairs when I see her walking out of a bathroom in one of the downstairs hallways. I watch as she wipes her mouth as she closes the door. When she looks up and sees me watching her she jumps. “Luna! I, uh, I hear congratulations are in order.” “Thank you. Walk with me, Kinsley.” “I have some things to do…” “Walk with me,” I say again, not giving any room for argument. 09.15 Chapter 74: Hunter’s Fear 283 Mouchers Her head drops but she follows me as I walk back out to the front of the packhouse, thanking more pack members as the good news of my pup spreads like wildfire around the pack.

I wait until we’re far enough away from the packhouse that no one can hear us. “Talk to me. What’s going on?” She looks at me and I can see that she’s about to lie to me. I raise an eyebrow at her, daring her to lie. She looks back down and I can smell the salt of tears. “I don’t know. It started about a week ago. Things between Lucas and I have gotten more intimate and…” she stops, stifling a s**b. I put my arms around her, looking for someplace where we won’t be seen or overheard. I lead her over to a seat near the forest and hold her while she cries.