The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 40

Jara

Hana and I decide to have dinner in the main dining hall, knowing that if we spend more time with those a*s*sessed today, it will make them feel better physically. It is apparent, though that many wolves are missing. I would a*s*sume that they are all from Alpha Cameron’s pack.

Annabel joins us for dinner and afterward, I go to see Elder Jason. “Do you need my a*s*sistance to prepare for Alpha Cameron’ s funeral?” I ask him. I should have asked earlier when I said the funeral would be tonight, but I was distraught and then Mason was going into his a*s*sessment and my mind was clouded with the possibility of losing him.

Title of the document

However, now, my focus is fully on making sure that Alpha Cameron’s pack is given proper time to grieve the loss of their Alpha.

“No, Alpha Jara. You’ve been plenty busy today and based on the interactions I saw at dinner, your a*s*sistance and that of Beta Hana greatly helped to heal the claimants who were a*s*sessed.”

He looks out to where the back of the main packhouse is, his eyes glazing over. “I have set up a pyre for this evening. I plan to give anyone from Alpha Cameron’s pack who wishes to speak, time to say whatever they want to say.”

I nod. It’s how it should be done. “While it’ s not common to have an Alpha ceremony immediately after a funeral, I believe it is necessary this evening. There has been enough chaos during this claiming, and I don’t want any more wolves to feel lost or bereft without their Alpha. Between the rea*s*sessment and the loss of their Alpha, many omegas and warriors from Alpha Cameron’s pack might be close to losing their minds or going feral.”

“I agree.” I tell him. While it is unusual, these men are away from their packs, they have been through rea*s*sessment which I now understand is a horrible, grueling process and they’ve lost their Alpha. The possibility of what’s left of Alpha Cameron’s pack going feral is high until there is a new Alpha. And I know Beta Luke will be a good Alpha. He obviously cares about his pack a great deal.

“Good. I’d like you to lead the ceremony.” I whip my head around to look at Elder Jason.

“Me? Why me?”

own. I think you being there,

the safety and peacefulness of

fairly straightforward, but I took the liberty of writing out the instructions for you, just in

Elder Jason hands me and realize it’s exactly what occurred when Seth

do this.”

there in case something happens, but this will be

is lying. His entire

on the stage, addressing

to his pack, but to other packs as well as the Elders. He was a true Alpha, and his loss

to the stage. He speaks of what a strong and powerful Alpha Cameron was, how he loved and cherished his pack and how terrible it is that he went feral just before this year’s claiming. He goes on to

of loss, Alpha Cameron was definitely one of the good ones. I can’t

with Alpha Cameron and what a good Alpha he was. I know I have tears running down my face. And while I know

lights the pyre and we watch as the fire ignites, burning into the night,

fire finally starts to die

“I know that those of you in Alpha Cameron’ s pack are grieving and that this is unusual, but we are in an unusual situation. Tonight, your Beta, Beta Luke, will stand and take his oath as your new Alpha. Is

no one from their pack

their new

me on stage please.” Elder Jason looks at me, as I make my way

I walk onto the stage, I see Mason and Seth’s looks of confusion. I’m still not exactly sure why Elder Jason wants me to

me. “Alpha Jara will be presiding over

over the crowd. “Before we begin, I just want to say, I didn’t know Alpha Cameron, but from everything I heard this evening, it sounds like he was a wonderful Alpha, a great man. There is a hole in your pack that may never be filled. But I do know Beta Luke. He is in my claiming,

smiling. Perhaps this is what he was hoping I would do. Confirm to the members of

Luke. “Beta Luke, please step