The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 46

Jara

Sparring with Mason is fun. He’s good. Really good, and he is helping me to become a better fighter, something I will need in the claiming territory if I’m to walk out unclaimed.

When I finish sparring with Alpha Luke, Elder Jason indicates that sparring is done for the day. I’m dripping in sweat. Having Mason and Luke back-to-back gave me quite a workout. Luke extends his hand to shake. When I clasp it, 1 ask him if stay back with me for a moment.

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He agrees and the others begin heading inside to shower and get lunch. I see Mason turn and look at me before heading inside. Something in my stomach clenches at the look on his face. It’s not hurt exactly, but I’ve never given anyone special attention except him until now.

When the group is far enough away, I gesture to the stage. “Will you speak with me?”

“It would be my honor, Alpha Jara.” “Please, call me Jara.”

“Then you must call me Luke.”

I give him a smile as we lean against the stage. “I wanted to know how you are doing, taking over as Alpha.” I tell him.

His back is to the stage, and he pulls one leg up, propping his foot against it as well, his demeanor relaxed. He looks out over the training field before answering. “It’s not as easy as I thought it would be.” He says looking at me before looking down.

“I thought shifting from Beta to Alpha would be a fairly easy transition. Don’t get me wrong, I know that I have huge shoes to fill replacing Alpha Cameron, but…”

“But?” I question gently, putting my hand on his arm.

know your Alpha has your back. If you screw up, he’s there to support you or to make it right. Now, I’m the Alpha and there is no one else. I’m that person who has to get it right. My decisions have to be the

challenge, I know I am. I just didn’t truly understand the

want my

and I can almost see the relief

when you make the wrong decision, your pack will follow you. They will trust you because that

make it sound so

Seth and some of the decisions he’s had to make. “And in some ways, it’s the hardest thing you’ 11 ever do.”

over, two trays in his hand. “Excuse me, Alphas. Alpha Mason thought you’d both like to take your lunch out here. He made sure that I sent extra water out for both of yon.” He says, handing us

miss a beat, does he?” Luke says, taking the tray before thanking the staff

the tray on the stage, my stomach growling as soon as I smell the food. I’m starving after my morning of

Alpha. He’d be a good mate to you.” I can’t help but raise my eyebrow at him. Is he telling me I should choose Mason

in his. “But I would be a good mate to you, too. I would treat you well, make you my Luna, listen to you, let you stand beside me as leaders of our pack. Don’t discount

top of my list of claimants, Luke. And,

we’ve overheard at the claiming. Talking with Luke is easy, and I can see how easy it would be if he claimed me. Being his Luna wouldn’t be a bad thing. But, in the back of my mind, I can’ t help but compare him to Mason. Luke is a wonderful man, he’ll make a great Alpha, but Mason…Mason has already started worming his way into my heart. I don’t know that there is anything that Luke can do to change

we walk back toward the main house. I need to head

to your housing, Jara?” Luke asks, as we

like that.” I tell him, and I

I hear my name, as we

striding toward me. “Alpha Jara. I demand equal time to the other Alphas that you are showing favoritism

beside me. “Alpha Typhon, I have no intention of giving you even a moment of my

me before I claim you, Jara.” He says purring his words, but it does

I spit out his name. “If you try to claim me, I will leave your shredded, battered, bleeding body on the claiming field. Don’t

our direction. I see Typhon’s pack move to stand behind

them. “I understand you must follow your Alpha’s command but know this. If any of you attempt to help Alpha