The One He Claimed

Chapter 161: Lucas’ Acceptance

Hunter

I can feel Sophie’s happiness and I’m thankful that her afternoon is restful. I know that last couple of days, weeks, hell, basically since I found her and marked her in private it’s been non-stop stress. Now that she’s carrying my pup, I feel extra protective of her.

I excuse myself from our friends and the pups at the Survivor’s Center and make my way to the hospital. Zahn is becoming increasingly agitated and if he doesn’t settle down, I’m going to remove him.

As I walk into the hospital, I hear him snarling. “What the f**k is taking so long?”

“Alpha Zahn!” I bark. He turns to look at me and I can see the worry eating at him. I don’t actually care how worried he is. I understand it, but he’s been warned about acting out. If he can’t control his emotions, I’ll be happy to beat the *t out of him again. Based on my warriors’ stances, I can tell they’re ready for a fight.

“Why is it taking so long?” he asks, moderating his tone.

“Dr. Caspian is resetting every bone on the right side of Jocelyn’ s body from her hip to her toes, Alpha Zahn. That doesn’t take a couple of hours, not if you’re doing properly.”

“I feel impotent! I need to DO something.”

“You’re welcome to go back to the packhouse and work…”

“I can’t focus enough to work,” he growls.

“You can go for a run, with my warriors as escorts,” I say, as he continues to pace, reaching his hands into his hair and gripping tightly. I can tell he’s done this a lot as his hair is sticking out in all directions.

“Go for a run, Zahn. You’re in for a long night. Jocelyn may not wake up until tomorrow. So, do yourself a favor and go burn off this negative energy you have.”

“And what if she come out of surgery while I’m gone?”

“My warriors will let you know as soon as Sophie hears from Dr. Caspian. I have no idea how much longer it will be, but based on this morning and early afternoon, I’d say you have a couple of hours.”

He looks at my warriors, then back at me. “Is there a certain area where I’m allowed to run?”

“My warriors will keep you from any area you’re not allowed to go. Follow their guidance and you’ll be fine.”

“Will they be able to keep up with me? I need to run hard.”

“I’ll let the patrols know that you’re going to run, and they can monitor you and keep you where you need to be.”

“Alright, let’s go,” he says to the guards and heads outside. I mind link the patrols to keep an eye out for Kortan, Zahn’s wolf. I feel multiple warriors decide to station themselves around the pack lands, making sure to keep the pack safe and keep Zahn from places I don’t want him to go. It doesn’t feel like this is an attempt to scope out our pack’s weaknesses, but just in case, I’ m glad the pack is taking precautions without me having to ask.

Once he’s gone, I turn and find a nurse, asking about Jocelyn.

“She’s stable, Alpha. I know Dr. Caspian is working hard to get her bones set and Dr. Felicity went in to assist him a few hours ago.”

“Thank you.”

‘Alpha, do you have a minute?’ Lucas asks in the mind link.

‘Where are you?’

‘Packhouse, but I can come to you.’

‘I can come to you,’ I say before reaching out to Sophie.

I can feel Hedda purring in her head, so I know they’re still with the pups, but it feels like they’re starting to pack up and head back. I loved seeing my mate holding so many pups. She’s going to be an incredible mother and now that I know she’s willing to have so many, I almost can’t wait for our son to be born so I can put another pup in her.

‘Is it the pup you want, or the practice?’ Sophie’s voice hums my head.

‘Both,’ I say, growling softly in a way that I know will have my mate shivering.

I smile when I feel her body’s response. ‘I’m going to speak to Lucas. Zahn is running around the pack, burning off nervous energy.’

‘Do you trust him?’ she asks.

‘Reach out to the pack, Soph. They have it covered,’ I say, helping her to keep her focus on the conversations around her while reaching out to feel the pack’s response to knowing that Zahn is out running around. I help her zero in on the warriors who have eyes on him so we can both see that he’s running hard, not trying to go into places where he isn’t allowed to go.

‘I’m always so impressed with your ability to focus on so many things,’ she sighs.

‘You’re getting better every day, my love,’ I say encouragingly.

‘I’ll see you back at the packhouse?’

‘Yes. Do I need to send warriors to help collect everything?’ I ask her as I walk into the packhouse.

‘No, Robin and Kayce have it.’

‘Okay, see you soon.’

My naughty mate sends me an image of her naked in front of the mirror. I growl softly.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

‘Mine!’

‘Yes, I am,’ she says, obviously pleased with my response. I need to remember that her hormones are off and that her possessiveness is more intense than usual.

As I walk to Lucas’ office, I begin sending her images of what I intend to do with her and to her tonight. By the time I knock on his door, my mate is purring loudly in my head.

“That’s the grin of a man who is dirty talking with his mate,” he says laughing as I walk in.

“Guilty and not a bit sorry.”

“Nor should you be,” he says, gesturing for me to sit.

I do, then look at him as he sits across from me. “What’s on your mind?”

“Owen’s pack. I don’t want to stake a claim on it, but I do want to get a feel for how this competition will go. However, I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about leaving Penny and Jaime here alone with Alpha Zahn and Luna Jocelyn.”

“Let’s ask them,” I say, reaching out in the mind link to have them join us while also realizing that Sophie isn’t going to want to leave Jocelyn. However, if we’re only gone for a day and a half….

My thoughts cut off as Penny and Jaime knock on the door.

“Alpha, you wanted to see us?”

“Have a seat,” I say, as Lucas pulls up more chairs.

“How do you feel about watching the pack, specifically Alpha Zahn, if me, Sophie, Lucas, and Kinsley were to go see about the competition for Owen’s pack?” I ask them.

Penny looks at Jaime, then back at me. “How many of our warriors are planning to compete?”

I look at Lucas who gets up to get some paperwork off his desk.

“Close to fifty have said they want to compete, but that doesn’t mean that all of them will compete for Owen’s pack,” he says.

I watch as Penny and Jaime have a **al conversation. Then Penny nods and turns back to us

“Jaime is confident that he can control Alpha Zahn if he gets out of control. I’m happy to check in on Luna Jocelyn and be there for her if she needs assistance. It feels as though the pack is also willing to keep an eye on Alpha Zahn and I’m guessing that will only increase if you and your mates leave the pack,” Penny says.

“I need to speak with Sophie and make sure she’s okay to leave Jocelyn, but if not, I’ll make sure to have 24-hour guards on her. Alpha Zahn will not be allowed to intimidate her, Jocelyn, or anyone else in this pack while we’re away.”

“Absolutely not,” both of them say in unison.

“I’d be happy to be Luna Sophie’s guard while you’re away,” Penny says.

“That would make me feel much more comfortable leaving her here, Penny. Thank you both. I’ll let you know what our final decision is by tomorrow.”

They nod and walk out together. When they’re gone, Lucas turns to me.

“I hate to say it, because it means I’m starting to believe that I’ll be leaving this pack, but they’ll make good Betas to you and Luna Sophie when Kinsley and I are gone.”

I smile at my Beta, knowing I’m going to miss him terribly.

“Yeah, they will.”