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.

warriors and omegas says and I swear every one of them just lost

the room. “Everyone, this is Luke, my guard from the claiming. He

lot of clapping and cheering to that. Luke nods and waves his hand briefly. I move to

more, there is a chorus of “Hi, Brynn”

you.” She says quietly, looking down. I definitely need to talk to her about her

already know, is Luke

begins to wave like she’s a Disney Princess on a float in a parade, turning and making sure to wave in every direction of the

want to overwhelm them on their first day with us.” I say

us

Luke before turning back to me. “We’d

them toward our table. When we arrive, I introduce

and I wait for Brynn to get Melinda settled before I ask the question that’s been on my mind since I saw Melinda step

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

Bry. I told you,

don’t know yet exactly what that means but based on my interactions with Alpha Shawn over the weekend, I’d say that your experience in this

reaches over and squeezes Brynn’s hand. “I told you about Luna Jara. She won’t let anything happen to

“I definitely won’t and maybe tomorrow, I can go over the petition that me and the other Lunas from this year’s claiming presented

And, I

speak, Elijah turns to look at Luke. “You’re

am.” Luke says proudly,

“Younger son?” Elijah asks.

you guess?”

is Shawn Alpha. I didn’t get he was a Beta from his scent, and he’s definitely no Alpha.” Mason

look of disgust on their faces. “He promised his buddies that they could be his Beta and Gamma if they helped him defeat the others in

against our laws.” Mason

lives in our pack,

turns to me. “That is also against