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.”

kind of Alpha would I

the day we’ve heard more sounds coming from the claiming territory. I can only hope that Elijah and my other pack mates are safe. I haven’t felt any of their tethers snap, but it hasn’t even been 12

Jara was sent food today, but I haven’t eaten more than a quick sandwich that I grabbed off

food before heading out. When I get there, I see

look rolled up around the waist and the ankles but she’s still having to hold them up. I can tell from here

move to stand beside Jara, hoping she’ll let me give her support, hoping she’ll lean on me. She’s a strong woman, but she’s hurting. It takes everything in

takes my hand, gripping it as if

notable exception. I think one of the dead pack members is his and he can’t even be bothered to

the names of those

anyone would like to say anything. A couple people get up and speak about their friends

her head to the sky and howls a sad and mournful howl. The sound of it slices through me, making my heart ache. Many males here lift their heads and answer her howl.

territory continue. It’s almost as if they have stopped fighting for a little while to

Seth.” Jara says, leaning against

around her. “Were any of them from your pack?” I ask. I know one of the ones in the hospital is from Seth’s pack, Jara had recognized

he still mourns their death, just as you

to walk you back?” I ask

eyes. “I’m afraid, Mason. What if this is you? I

planning on dying.” I don’t want her to know that Typhon has given an Alpha command to his pack to kill

it worse for you, Mason. I don’t want

my pack and Seth’s won’t turn on me. What’ s left of