The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Mason

I made sure Jara was back in her housing before heading back to the main house. We are all on hold until the new Elder arrives tomorrow.

Dinner is a somber affair. We’re all used to sitting around tables with a bunch of males and no females. But now, there is the possibility that this year’s claiming will be cancelled. At best, one of the claimants will be sent home.

I can hear the wolves around me talking about Layan. While we all want a mate, no one wants a damaged mate. She could already be pregnant with the Alpha’s child. So, anyone that claimed her would have to raise another man’s child. And given the state she was in when my warrior brought her out of the claiming territory, it’s possible she’ll never have another child. It’s a lot to ask of most males, but especially ranked members.

Title of the document

No Alpha will want her now. Most other ranked members will give her a pass if she does go back into the territory. She could save a warrior or omega from going feral, but that may be all the use she has. Or at least, that’s how most will see her now, damaged and not worth the effort of claiming.

I can feel Elijah getting more and more angry beside me as the conversations go on. Finally, he’s had enough. He stands, addressing the room.

“She’s a f*uc*king person. Goddess, no wonder Alpha Jara and Beta Hana call us savages. Listen to yourselves. That poor girl is in this state because one of US put her there. And now, she’s not worth your time or energy? Maybe the females are right. Maybe we’d all be better off if our species died out. It seems we’ve forgotten what’s important. WE were supposed to protect HER. Yeah, it’s nice that she will save one us, that makes one of us a lucky bastard, but it’s not her job. As ranked members and warriors, it IS our job to protect those that need our protection. And we failed. Everyone in this room failed that girl.”

I reach out and put my hand on his arm. He turns, snarling at my touch before collecting himself. “I’m going for a run.” He turns and stalks out of the room. A room that is so quiet you can barely hear anyone breathing. No one says anything more about Layan.

I finished eating and head to my room. I lay in my bed thinking of earlier. I meant what said to Jara. I will protect Layan with my life and by doing so. I’ll protect Jara. While I love and appreciate her willingness to do whatever it takes to protect Layan, I can’t let her risk her life. I won’t. She’s too valuable, too important.

The next morning, the new Elder arrives.

Elijah didn’t come back until early in the morning and it shows on his exhausted face as the Elder calls all the males to the meeting area.

“You good?” I ask Elijah as we walk out to the stage.

“Yeah, sorry about yesterday.”

you didn’t mean

am Elder Jason. I am here to replace Elder Carson. I have been briefed on the events that occurred

power and authority in his voice. I feel better knowing that this Elder is a true Alpha, like me. Too many Alphas are Alpha in title only, never have descended from an Alpha line. Too many true Alphas have gone

down at a piece of paper in his hand. “Would Alphas Mason, Seth and Antonio please join me after this meeting?” He looks up, finding each of us

still apply. Stay away from the females unless approached by

“Any questions?”

I mean, we’re all here for them. I know the omega, Layan, is probably

them, but their decision is

more questions are asked, he looks out at us again. “Elder Carson, you are asked to leave the claiming territory immediately. We appreciate your time in this Claiming,

Mason, Seth and Antonio, with me, please.” He says it as if it’s a request, but the aura and

and an office that looks like it was hastily set aside for him. He pulls three chairs in front of a desk covered in papers before sitting down and making a space on the desk, huffing loudly at the

he takes a deep breath. “So, all three of you are true Alphas.” It’s more a statement than

makes this easier. Let’s start at the beginning, one at a time and tell me what you experienced with this Alpha, your concerns, and then what you witnessed when the Omega Layan

Seth goes next, also indicating that he saw the Alpha acting erratically and had approached Elder Carson. Alpha Antonio finishes

the Alpha down? Not

approach Layan. He didn’t seem to understand the severity of

So, he left his post, leaving you

“That’s correct.”

“Anything else?”

and later that

yet, that

Jara and Beta Hana threatened to fight the entire group of males,

to