The One He Claimed

Chapter 150: Jocelyn’s Arrival

Sophie

Several hours later, we get the announcement that Alpha Zahn and Luna Jocelyn have arrived on our pack lands.

“They’re here,” I say to Nikki and Allison. We head to the front door to greet them, meeting up with our mates, Kinsley, and Lucas as we go.

Hunter and I stand up front. He takes my hand as I feel the nerves starting again. The others stand behind us, providing a unified front. I’m not sure who the unified front is for, Zahn or Jocelyn.

When they pull up, I see Jocelyn in the front seat. Her eyes assess the group of us that have come out to welcome them.

Alpha Zahn gets out of the car first. “Alpha Hunter, Luna Sophie,” he greets before walking around the car.

“Alpha Zahn, welcome to our pack,” Hunter says as Jocelyn opens the door on her side. When Zahn extends a hand to help her, she snarls at him. His teeth snap shut, and his lips press tightly together as he steps back lowering his hand.

I was right about Jocelyn. I’m not sure why she felt the need to stand up out of the car, especially without assistance, but she’s very unsteady on her feet, her body obviously misshapen even under the blousy dress she’s wearing.

“Luna Jocelyn, welcome to our pack,” I say, hoping to start things on a positive note.

Instead of responding, she looks me over, her eyes lingering on my protruding stomach, her lip curling in disgust.

“Some legend you are,” she finally growls, disappointment and disgust obvious in her tone.

Hunter snarls at her, stepping in front of me. “Listen up, Jocelyn,” he growls, intentionally being disrespectful by not using her title. I grab his arm to keep him from going to get in her face. I can feel the heat of his anger flowing through our bond:

“You are ONLY here because my mate wants you here. I would have told both of you to shove it and figure out your mate bond on your own. You’re not my problem and you obviously don’t want my help. But I will not allow you to come into my pack and disrespect my mate. You know nothing about her. Whatever anger you have towards your mate, or the Moon Goddess, or anyone else, will NOT be directed at my mate. If you cannot abide by that rule, you can leave now.”

“Hunter, no!” I plead, looking at him.

“I will not allow anyone to disrespect you in our pack, Sophie. This is your home, and she will respect that and you, or I will personally escort you off my pack lands, and leave you in the forest for the predators,” he says, turning back to Jocelyn.

“You dare stand there and pass judgement on my mate, at woman who is the most kind, generous, and loving woman I’ve ever met? How dare you? Who the fuck do you think you are? There is not one person in this pack who wouldn’t lay down their life for their Luna. They love and respect her that much. I very much doubt that you can say the same,” he snarls at her.

“And they aren’t the only ones,” Nikki says behind me. “We, her friends, would lay down our lives for her too. And we know that she would do the same for us. Whatever you have been through, you have no right to put that on Sophie. You don’t know her at all. Save your judgement until you do. And know that her only goal is to help you. Whether or not you accept that help is up to you.”

We all stand quietly, waiting to see what Jocelyn will decide. She stares at me, taking in what Hunter and Nikki said. I’m not sure which surprised her more, Hunter’s protectiveness towards me, or Nikki’s support of me.

“You can’t help me,” she says quietly.

“I can’t if you won’t at least let me try.”

“Alpha Hunter, my apologies for offending your mate,” she says, turning to Hunter. His posture relaxes as he stands, moving out from the protective crouch he was in.

“Don’t apologize to me, apologize to my mate,” he snaps.

I watch the surprise flash across her face before she turns to me. “My apologies, Luna Sophie. I will reserve my judgement of you until I get to know you,” she says, nodding to Nikki in acknowledgement of her request.

“Thank you. Now, I thought we could start at our pack hospital. I don’t know what kind of doctors you have in your pack, but we have Dr. Caspian here. He’s excellent and I’ve asked him to run a full work up on you to see if there is anything that can be done for your injuries,” I tell her.

“I’m….I’m not sure I can walk that far.”

“I’ll carry you,” Zahn says, making her snarl and snap at him. I guess her change of attitude doesn’t include him.

“If you would allow it, I could have a warrior carry you, or I can get a wheelchair for you, your choice,” I say to her.

“Wheelchair, please.”

“I’ll get it,” Kinsley says. “I’m Beta Kinsley, by the way. It’s nice to meet you, Luna. If you need anything at all while you’re here, please don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Thank you, Beta.”

We do introductions and by the time we’re done, Kinsley has returned with the wheelchair. We get Jocelyn in the chair, and I take the handles.

“I’m coming with you,” Zahn insists, and I see Jocelyn’s lips press tightly together.

“That is up to Luna Jocelyn, Alpha Zahn,” I say to him.

“You’re joking, right? You’re taking my mate for medical treatment and not allowing me to come?” he asks.

“It’s not my choice, it’s hers,” I say again. Jocelyn looks at me and then at Zahn.

“No,” she says.

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“Alpha Zahn!” Hunter snaps. “You agreed to this before you arrived. My mate was very clear that you may not like her ways, but that you would follow them while you were here. That has not changed. Her pack, her rules.

I watch Zahn clench his fists before turning and stomping away. As I begin to push Jocelyn toward the pack hospital, Nikki, Allison, and Kinsley all fall into step around us.

“You’re seriously going to let me decide how much time I want to spend with him?” Jocelyn asks

“Yes. We have multiple options for sleeping arrangements. The choice will be yours. I can go over them once you’ve seen Dr. Caspian,” Kinsley says.

Jocelyn turns and looks up at me, frowning. “I don’t want to spend any time with him.”

“We didn’t think you would,” I say, her frown deepening as she turns back, staying silent the rest of the way to the hospital.