The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 53

Mason

I help Elder Jason prepare the funerals for the ten claimants.

I don’t know if it was Jara’s command or if the others were just lucky, but the ones that were alive when the medics got here all survived their surgeries. Jara has spent the day at the hospital ensuring the survivors know she’s there and helping them as best she can.

Title of the document

“This is exactly what I was talking about the other day, Elder Jason. Ten senseless deaths and for what?” I say as we build the ten pyres. I pause, wiping the sweat off my face. I’m not the only one out here. Many others are here. Several packs lost pack members this morning. Not surprisingly. Typhon isn’t here. I wonder if he’ll even show up tonight for the services.

“This isn’t survival of the fittest.” I say, continuing my train of thought as we work. “If it was, we wouldn’t be pitting omegas against ranked members, warriors against Alphas. It’s unfair to the weaker members of the packs. How is it fair to these men, who were here for a good reason, just wanting to find their mate? They didn’t even stand a chance.”

“I’m aware, Alpha, but my hands are tied. At least this year. I just have to hope that enough of you survive and change can be made before next year’s claiming.”

“Oh, I plan to not only survive, but to walk out of the claiming territory with my mate in my arms and my mark on her neck. When I do, you can expect that together, we’ll bring about that change.”

Elder Jason looks at the others around us who I know are listening. I don’t care. I don’t care if every one of them thinks they will claim Jara.

They won’t. I won’t allow it. She’s mine.

“Bold words, Alpha.”

I be if I wasn’t bold,

coming from the claiming territory. I can only hope that Elijah and

into something more somber. I’ve made sure that Jara was sent food today, but I haven’t eaten more than a quick

before heading out. When I get there, I see

place to shower, as she isn’t covered in blood, but she’s wearing the clothes T brought her earlier. They are too big on her, the shirt falling to her mid-thigh, the sweatpants look rolled up around the

lean on me. She’s a strong woman, but she’s hurting. It takes everything in me to not pull her into my chest and wrap my arms

hand, gripping it

claiming are here, Typhon the notable exception. I think one of the dead pack members is his and he can’t even be

the stage in front of the pyres. He announces the names of those that died this morning and the packs that

and speak about their friends or pack mates. When it’s done, Elder Jason lights

we watch the fires take hold, Jara lifts her head to the sky and howls a sad and mournful howl. The sound of it slices through me, making my heart

inside the claiming territory continue. It’s almost as if they have stopped fighting for a little while to give homage to their dead pack mates.

Jara says,

arm around her. “Were any of them from your pack?” I ask. I know one of the ones in

mourns their death, just as you and

walk you back?” I ask her as the others move to go

her eyes. “I’m afraid, Mason. What if this is you? I don’t know how…” Her

don’t want her to know that Typhon has given an Alpha command to his

I don’t want everyone to turn against you. You

on me. What’ s left of Alpha Antonio’s pack won’t