The One He Claimed

The One 82

Chapter 82: Margot Hunter Penny is as good as I expected, and I’m thrilled. ‘I think I understand now why you elected her to join us on this run,’ Lucas says in the mind link while we run through the borders. We found an area that needed more protection, more patrols, and Penny did not hesitate to give us her ideas. Good ones. Really good ones. ‘She’s underage, but I’m thinking of her for the G**a position,” I tell him. ‘I’ll keep an eye on her in warrior training. But she’s got good instincts and from what I saw of you sparring with her, she’s a smart fighter.’ ‘Agreed. I haven’t told her about the G**a position. I told her she might make herself a Lead Warrior.” ‘I’d put her in either position, but we need a strong, trustworthy Ga**a, and so far, she’s better than anyone else we have in the pack.’ I’m glad Lucas agrees with me. Sophie and I fell into bed late that night, exhausted. For the first time since I found her, I didn’t make love to her. Instead, I pull her against me and almost instantly we’re both asleep. The next 0.00% く 13:01 morning, I make sure to start both of our day with a love and happiness. We don’t have much time, but I want to take these moments when I can. Once the war starts, I won’t have many moments like these to enjoy. Lucas and I run a hard warrior training, extending it by an hour so everyone is ready. When that one is done, we switch out with the patrols who missed training because they were working, and Lucas runs them through another three-hour training while Penny and I go to secure the areas of the pack

borders where we feel we’re weakest. After that’s done, she and I run another route around the pack, sniffing to see if we smell anyone scouting our borders. By the time I return to the packhouse, I’m already feeling the exhaustion of the morning, and I’ve just stopped to have lunch when the patrols reach out to me and Sophie. ‘Alpha, Luna, there’s a Luna Margot here requesting sanctuary.” ‘I’m on my way,’ Sophie says. ‘I am as well,’ I say, knowing Sophie can’t shift any longer. I meet her in the back and shift, letting her get on my back before racing to the place where I can hear the patrols standing guard. When we race up, I see Margot, looking a bit ragged and wearing a shirt she must have found along the way. Whether intentional or not, it’s masking her scent. Smart woman. Sophie gets off my back and I shift, standing behind her but letting her take the lead as I always do with the she-wolves who come to us for protection. “Did you mean it, Luna Sophie? Did you mean it when you said 12.52% 13.01 M Chapter 82 Margol 1288 Mouchers you’d give me sanctuary?” Margot asks. “Yes. We’re already anticipating that your mate will attack us. Even if you weren’t here, he’d expect that you were and would never believe us that you weren’t. Before you come into our pack lands though, I should tell you, your father is dead.” “My mother?” she asks, worriedly “My parents took her to their pack.” “So, she’s safe?” “Yes.” She nods. “She’ll be safer if I’m not with her.” Margot turns and looks at me. “If you’re expecting tears for my father, you’ll be disappointed.”

“I’m glad to hear that since I was the one who killed him,” I tell her. “He was a horrible man to my mother and a horrible father to me. May I enter your pack, Alpha?” she asks, directing her question to me. “Why are you asking me? My mate is the one who offered your sanctuary,” I say, making sure she realizes that the equality that Sophie and I expressed at the Committee isn’t just for show. It’s real. Her eyes widen in surprise, but she corrects herself quickly and turns to Sophie. “Luna, may I..” 30 59% Chapter 82: Margol 288 Moluchers “Of course, Luna Margot, please, step across our borders so l don’t have to worry about your mate rushing up and s** you away,” Sophie tells her, making Margot smile. She looks at me one more time, probably making sure that I’m not going to stop her and then she takes a step, putting herself on our pack lands. The moment she does, it’s like something. inside of her deflates. She slumps, panting and holding back her tears. “Why don’t you come with me, we’ll get you settled,” Sophie says to her gently. “There’s one more thing I need to do first,” she says, and turns. her back on us, looking out in the distance. “I, Luna Margot Keys, reject you, Alpha Joshua Keys as my mate and Alpha,” she says, her body collapsing as she cries ou, clutching her heart. I catch her before she hits the ground, scooping her up and looking at my patrols. “Back to work. She’s bought us some time with Alpha Joshua, but Koden and Owen’s pack are still our biggest threat.” “Yes, Alpha.” They begin running again as Sophie and I walk back to the packhouse. “Should I get a doctor?” Sophie asks me. “No. I’m surprised it even hurts. It’s not like we had a mate bond like yours,” Margot says, panting with her pain.

1301 Chapter 82 Margol “Your wolf will be weak. Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?” I ask her. “I honestly just want a shower and a bed.” “Food?” Sophie asks her. “Maybe later. I’m not sure I could keep anything down right now. But I’d like to speak to my mother, if I can. I want to make sure she’s alright and that she knows I’m safe now.” “Of course. If you’re not up to the phone call, I can call Alpha Carter and give him the message.” “No, I think it will help her to hear my voice and to know that we’ re both away from those men who treated us like commodities. and baby makers rather than their mates and Lunas.” When we get to the back of the packhouse, Kinsley is t. 2. “Luna, Luna Sophie said you wanted a bath but may not be strong enough to take one on your own. I’ll help you and get you. settled. I’ll also make sure you know which safe room you need to go to when the war starts.” “I’m not a Luna anymore, Beta, but I can fight. I’m a strong fighter, or I was, at one time.” Sophie looks at me and Margot, seeing her deferring to me, turns and looks at me. “I was a Luna for several years, Alpha. I know how to defend a pack, even if it’s not mine.” “Let’s see how long it takes your wolf to recover, then we’ll test your skill.” “Fair enough,” she says, and I put her down, letting Sophie and 57 45% ||| 1301 Chapter Margot Kinsley lead her away to whatever room they’ve set aside for her. I call Carter and let him know that Margot is here. I want him on alert that Joshua is probably

coming, but not as soon as we anticipated now that she’s rejected him. I then call Kayce and give him the same news. He and Carter are the packs closest to me and the ones that I will call if I need assistance. By the time I check on everyone, making sure that Margot spoke to her mother and is resting as quietly as possible, it’s nearly dinner time and I realize I haven’t eaten all day. When I sit, I see Sophie and Kinsley still moving around working to make sure the safe rooms are prepared. They’ve already run one drill today and are planning to run another one soon. ‘Have you eaten?’ I ask her in the mind link. She looks up and finds my eyes on her. ‘Uh…I sort of missed lunch.’ ‘Come sit with me and eat. Kinsley needs to eat too. Take a break and come eat.’ She smiles at me and turns to Kinsley. A moment later Kinsley looks at me and nods. “Thanks, Alpha,” Lucas says, walking behind me and gripping my shoulder before walking to his mate and kissing her. ‘Have you eaten, Lucas?’ ‘I will later.’ 73 004 1301 Chapter 82. Margot 1 ‘You will after I’m done. I’ll go back out with the patrols. I need you strong and healthy.’ ‘Yes, Alpha,’ he says, giving me a look from across the room. Kinsley says something to Lucas and a moment later she’s laughing at him, probably realizing that I’ve now ordered both of them to eat. More than anything, Kinsley’s laughter and happiness will keep Lucas going. I know Sophie’s does for me. When she tries to sit beside me, I pull her into my lap. “I haven’t touched you all day. Give me these few moments,” I say, kissing her shoulder. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“How can I deny you anything?” Being with Sophie rejuvenates me and I rub my hand er her stomach, realizing that it’s just starting to form a little baby bump. My pup. After dinner, I send Lucas to eat while I go run patrols and Sophie and Kinsley run another safe room drill, this time. including Margot in the drill. It’s late when I finally get back to my room. Sophie is already in bed, so I shower quickly and crawl in behind her. I feel like I’ve just fallen asleep when the howls of the patrols go up. ‘Alpha! Koden is here!’ 87.10%