The Claiming By Cooper

The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 18

Jara

Mason came and got me for dinner. We walked in together and everyone stopped for a moment, looking at us, before going back to eating and talking. We grab our food and head over to where Elijah, Joe and Stella are already seated.

Title of the document

I’ve just sat down when the entire room goes quiet again. I look up and see Luke, his mate and their daughter standing in the doorway. I watch Luke looking around the room and because he was my guard, I know he’s a*s*sessing the threat level in this room. His mate has not-so-subtly moved their daughter behind her back, but the cute little girl with big blond curls is peeking around her mother’s legs, smiling at our pack mates.

I stand immediately and Luke’s gaze snaps onto mine. His posture relaxes and he smiles. “Luna Jara.” He says as I begin walking toward him.

“Luke!” I say, pulling him in for a hug. I know wolves aren’t generally touchy, but he’s going to be part of my pack now and he’s my guard. I already have a close connection to this man and now that his mate and daughter will be a part of this pack, that connection will only increase.

When I pull back, I can see that his mate is deciding between being jealous of me touching her mate and trying to make sure that her daughter is safe. “Luke, please introduce me to your family.” I say, smiling at his mate.

“Luna, this is my mate, Brynn and my daughter, Melinda.”

“Brynn, it’s so nice to meet you.” I say, pulling her into a hug, hoping she realizes that this is just who I am. Then I squat down as I feel Mason come up behind me.

“And you must be Melinda.” I say, looking at the little girl. She can’t be more than two years old.

She nods her head, looking around. “Why are they staring at me?” She asks, watching my pack members thoughtfully.

“Melinda!” Brynn scolds.

“It’s okay.” I say, looking up at Brynn. “Most of them have never seen a she-wolf pup before. They are excited to have you in our pack. And they want to get to know you.”

She looks at me a moment before stepping around her mother and looking at the dining room full of adult men. “Hi. I’m Melinda.” She says, waving her hand.

swear every one of them just lost their heart to

at the room. “Everyone, this is Luke, my guard from the claiming. He kept me safe and will continue to be my guard now that

nods and

say more, there is a chorus of

says quietly, looking down. I definitely need to talk

you already know, is Luke and Brynn’s daughter,

a float in a parade, turning and making sure to wave in every direction of the room.

dinner. We don’t want to overwhelm them on their first day with us.” I say before

you join us

looks at Luke before turning back to me. “We’d love

I say and gesture them toward our table. When we

get Melinda settled before I ask the question that’s been on my mind since I saw

ranked blood line?” I ask. She looks up at me,

I told

over the weekend, I’d say that your experience in this pack will be night and day compared to your

and squeezes Brynn’s hand. “I told you about

I can go over the petition that me and the other Lunas from this year’s claiming presented to the Council and had

And, I come from Beta blood, as does

Elijah turns to look at Luke. “You’re a

am.” Luke says proudly,

“Younger son?” Elijah asks.

guess?” He

Alpha. I didn’t get he was a Beta from his scent, and he’s definitely

and Brynn have a look of disgust on their faces. “He promised his buddies that they

against our laws.”

in our pack,

me. “That is also