The One He Claimed

Chapter 179: Emotional

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Lucas told me that Sophie was getting nauseous with the smell of the dead bodies. I had planned to bury them, but there are so many, possibly his entire pack of warriors, that I decide to just burn them. It was faster and thankfully didn’t upset my mate’s stomach any more than before.

Since it seems like Zahn’s entire group of warriors came to attack my pack, I’m worried about the remaining pack members in his pack. Zahn’s pack is farther away from all of our packs, making it open for attack by other Alphas. And, once again, Ezra is closest to Zahn’s pack. So, the next day, while Sophie takes Jocelyn in for her next surgery, I call Ezra.

“Hunter, what problems are you causing now?” he says by way of greeting, making me chuckle.

“I don’t cause problems, Ezra. I eliminate them. But I do have a favor for you and possibly for Margot as well.”

“Hold on, let me put you on speakerphone,” he says. Interesting. Margot’s in his office already. I hope that means things

I continue to get better for them.

“Alpha Hunter, what can we help you do to eliminate a problem,” Margot says, obviously having heard the conversation.

“I’m concerned about Zahn’s pack,” I say.

There’s a beat of silence. “Come again?” Ezra asks.

“I think he sent all of his warriors here and they are now all dead. If that’s the case, his pack is full of potentially dying, or at best, grieving widows and pups. With no warriors and no Alpha, his pack is at risk,” I say.

“Shit!” Ezra says. “You want us to go see who’s left and for me to bring them into my pack, is that about right?” he asks.

He already knows what’s needed. I’m pretty sure he’s just giving himself time to think about how he’s going to do this.

“Those people need help, Ezra,” Margot says.

“I know, Margot, but where are we going to put them? How many are we talking about, Hunter?”

“I’d say at least one hundred warriors attacked my pack.”

I hear a low whistle. “How are your warriors? You said they were okay, but are they really?” Margot asks me.

“They are. Minimal injuries, no deaths.”

It’s quiet a moment and I imagine that the two of them are having an unspoken conversation on the other end of the line.

“What about Jake and Letti’s pack, Ezra? They don’t have to stay here. And Alaric’s pack will be settled in another month. This could be short-term. Or maybe, if Alpha Hunter is right, we put Zahn’s pack up third for competition and then these individuals will have the ability to return home. We can find room for them temporarily,” Margot says.

“We?” he asks her, and I suddenly feel like I’m eavesdropping on a personal conversation.

“You can get back to me,” I say hurriedly.

Nothing. It’s quiet and I know they’re having another unspoken. conversation between them. Since Margot hasn’t marked Ezra, it’s not in the mind link.

“We’ll make a plan and get over there as soon as possible,” Ezra says.

“Thank you, let me know if you anything,” I say.

“You owe me,” I hear Ezra say as start to hang up.

“What do you want?” Margot purrs as I quickly set down the receiver. Yep, that relationship is moving along. Good for them.

I reach out, wanting to feel connected to my mate and mentally bump up against her worry. I get up, going to find her, knowing that as she gets closer to her delivery, stress is not good for her or my son. I find her in the kitchen, scrubbing dishes and stressing out the omegas.

“Baby, what are you doing?” I ask her, coming up behind her and putting my hands on her stomach. Our pup has gotten so big that now it’s less hide and seek and more me rubbing my son’s head, butt, foot, or whatever is pushing against my mate’s stomach.

“I need a distraction. I know Jocelyn will be in surgery all day and while I’m sure it will be fine, I’m still worried.”

I kiss the top of her head, pulling her hands out of the soapy water.

“I have a better idea. Why don’t we let the omegas do their work,Soph. You’re making them worry that they aren’t doing a good job,” i tell her and see her look over at them.

“Oh no, you’re doing a great job. I’m very proud of all of you, I just…”

I feel her on the verge of tears. Her emotions are all over the place.

“Come on,” I say, “let’s go talk about my idea.”

I lead her from the kitchen and when we get to the stairwell, I scoop her into my arms.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Why am I so emotional? I was fine last time she went in for surgery,” she says, laying her head on my shoulder and breathing in my scent.

“You’re pregnant, baby. I think aversion to some scents, being emotional, and being more possessive are all part of the deal.”

She nods against my neck. “What’s your idea?” she asks.

I set her down and open the door to the room beside ours. It’s empty.

“We need a nursery, Soph. I thought maybe you could put some of that nervous and stressed-out energy into a nursery for our son.”

“Oh, Hunter! That’s a GREAT idea!” she says, moving to throw her arms around my neck but only making it to my shoulders because of her belly in the way.

“I can’t even hug you properly,” she says, and I smell salty tears.

“Baby, you’re tired, you’re worried about your friend, and you can hug me, it’s just a bit different,” I say, gently turning her around and wrapping my arms around her.

“Why don’t you think about the furniture you want in here, let me know and I’ll order it. Then you decide on colors and decorations, and we’ll have the pack help paint and set up the furniture when it arrives. How does that sound?” I ask, rocking her from side to side as I feel her slowly starting to relax.

When she doesn’t answer, I put my chin on her shoulder. “Sophie?”

I smell her tears again. “Soph?”

“You’re so good to me, Hunter,” she says, turning around in my arms. “Even when I’m acting…like this. You’re so good to me.”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but I know that YOU are good FOR me. I know I’m a better man because of you and if our little man is making your hormones get all whacked out, then I can handle it for another month. I love you, Soph. So put all that nervous energy into our son’s bedroom. Okay?”

She nods. “Okay.”

“Good, I’ll be back to check on you later. Let me get you a chair so you can sit while you figure out what you want in here.”

I check on Sophie throughout the day and then I go with her to the pack hospital to hear that Jocelyn has made it through her second surgery well. Since we don’t have to worry about Zahn, Sophie and I sit with Jocelyn until she wakes up, staying while Dr. Caspian tells her how the surgery went and then I bring my little mate back to our room and tuck her against me trying to help her sleep.

Over the next couple of weeks, Sophie works on the nursery, checking on Jocelyn daily. Jocelyn continues healing quickly which helps Sophie relax, and when we get the announcement that Amelia had her baby girl, Jocelyn is ready for her next surgery.

I get with the other Alphas, and we schedule our visit to Alaric’s pack in preparation for the next competition. Sophie and I plan to go early to meet Athena and spend some time with Amelia, but before that, Jake and Letti are coming by to meet with Owen’s previous pack members.

As always, my life is never dull but I’m getting more and more excited to meet my son. Less than one month until Sophie’s due date.