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.”

Alpha would I

finish building the pyres and lay the dead, now wrapped in their shroud, on them. Throughout out the day we’ve heard more sounds coming from the claiming territory. I can only hope that Elijah and my other pack mates

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

I get downstairs, I get some food before heading out.

too big on her, the shirt falling to her mid-thigh, the sweatpants look rolled up around the waist and the ankles

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 me to not pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her.

immediately takes my hand, gripping it as if I’m

I think one of the dead pack members is his and he can’t

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

like to say anything. A couple people get up and speak about their friends or pack mates. When it’s done, Elder Jason lights

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

if they have stopped fighting for a little while to give homage to their dead pack mates. I hope that’s what it is. I hope that this isn’t because a large number of the claimants were

can hear Seth.” Jara says,

her. “Were any of them from your pack?” I ask. I know one of

But he still mourns their death, just as

me to walk you back?” I ask her as the

her eyes. “I’m afraid, Mason. What if

you, I’m not planning on dying.” I don’t want her to know that Typhon has

I don’t want to make it worse for you, Mason. I don’t want everyone

I know my pack and Seth’s won’t turn on me. What’ s left of Alpha Antonio’s