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.

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 best every time. It’s more pressure than I thought it would be.”

I know I am. I just didn’t truly understand the pressures of being an

my opinion?” I ask

says and I can almost see the relief on his

even when you make the wrong decision, your pack will

make it sound so

say, thinking of Seth and some of the decisions he’s had to make. “And in some ways, it’s the hardest thing you’ 11 ever do.” I say, thinking of Mason and how he’s talked about having to put down his pack mates who have gone

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

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

the tray on the stage, my stomach growling as soon as I smell the food.

Alpha. He’d be a good mate to you.” I can’t help but raise my eyebrow at him.

“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 me,

you if I didn’t still have you at the top of my list of claimants, Luke. And, as you know, you never would have been given the special time in

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 need to head back to my housing to

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

would like that.” I tell him, and

name, as

toward me. “Alpha Jara. I demand equal time to the

Typhon, I have no intention of giving you even a moment of my time. I thought I’d been very clear about

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

claim me, I will leave your shredded, battered, bleeding body

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

turn to look at all of them. “I understand you must follow your Alpha’s command but know this. If any of