Claimed

Chapter 54: Hope

Ben's POV:

Sophia understandably wanted to celebrate with her pack. Considering I was about to be in the pack too, I stayed close by her so I could meet the ones I hadn't yet.

After we'd done several rounds, I pulled back and again asked Darius if it was all right I stole her after the celebration was over. He confirmed it was fine and reminded me I didn't need to ask permission to spend time with my mate.

Adjusting to the power dynamic would be interesting. The good news was, Darius was easygoing. They all were. They weren't if Sophia was in danger, but in any other circumstance, they were the easiest people to be around. Maybe adjusting won't be so bad.

As soon as Sophie said goodnight to the last of her pack members, she walked towards me with a tired smile on her face.

"You too tired for a run?" I asked.

She arched a brow. "For old time's sake?"

I chuckled. "Something like that."

We put our clothes in a bag and I carried it between my teeth after shifting. Travel time was shorter as running wolves with no concern of traffic or highways. Sophia and I ran as wolves through trees, over streams and around boulders with the light of the full moon illuminating our path. Admittedly, I was tired by the time we got to the territory, but I was too excited for it to matter.

We shifted and I didn't look at Sophia as she pulled her dress on so I wouldn't lose focus. Pulling on my own clothes, I bit back the building smile. I was terrible at surprises because people could always tell I was hiding something.

"You brought me to our territory," she said, setting her hand on my shoulder. I glanced back, thankful she was clothed. It would be like her to stay naked and distract me. As much as I loved her for it, I wanted to give her the surprise before I gave it away. "What are you grinning about?"

Fuck.

"Nothing." I grabbed her hand and tugged her behind me as I strode up the hill, past the tree line.

"You're terrible at lying."

I know.

We crested the hill and I gestured towards it. Sophia's eyes widened as she took in the gazebo Hunter, Levi and Noah helped me build. I was worried we wouldn't finish in time, but with help we did. Hunter picked up the telescope I'd ordered and brought it as soon as the ceremony was over. What I didn't know he did, was leave a bottle of champagne with two glasses on top of a blanket spread out next to the telescope.

Hunter, you're the best.

Pots of wisteria surrounded the gazebo. We'd have to take them in and plant them in a better season, but I wanted them here for her to visualize. Sophie covered her mouth with her hands and took slow steps towards the gazebo.

"I know you wanted a gazebo covered in wisteria, but that'll have to happen over time." I said, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "Do you like it?"

"Do I like it?" She spun around, her eyes glistening. "I love it. I can't believe you remembered."

"How could I forget?"

Her hands dropped to her sides, and she took quick steps towards me. "You're so fucking perfect, mi cielo. Too perfect to be real."

She threw her arms around me, her lips colliding with mine in a sweet tension that grew with every touch of her supple lips. I pulled her body to mine, every tension I'd held since being away from her during the ceremony eased under the hands she ran up and down my back.