The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 7

Jara

The second day of a*s*sessment is as grueling as the first. I take it slowly, making sure that I don’t overextend myself. I take hourly breaks and when I feel my babies start to slow their movements, as if my healing our pack is draining them too, I stop and go lay down to rest. Yesterday I slept nearly four hours before Mason woke me for dinner. Today is the same.

Title of the document

Layan had stayed one night with Elijah and had gone home the next morning. She knew her pack needed her and I’m thankful I can help in my pack as well. From everything we’ve heard from all of the packs, this year’s a*s*sessments are far worse than previous ones.

When I ask Mason about it, he decides we should call Councilman Jason and ask him.

We’re in his office, and I’m on his lap, as always, these days. I lean back against him, and he begins rubbing circles on my stomach, soothing me and our little ones.

“Councilman Jason.” He answers on the third ring.

“Councilman. This is Alpha Mason.”

“Mason, how are you? How are a*s*sessments going? I haven’t heard of any males failing.”

“No, none of my pack members have failed a*s*sessment so far. We have one more day of a*s*sessments to go.”

“I didn’t just mean your pack, Alpha. None of the packs have a single male that has failed a*s*sessment.”

Mason and I look at each other. “So, the council was right?” I ask.

“It would appear so.”

“And we think this is because the she-wolves are providing this vaccination effect in the packs?” Mason asks.

“That’s my take on it.” Jason says. Mason and I sit in silence for a moment.

“So, what can I do for you Alpha, Luna?” He asks.

“We wanted to know why this year’s a*s*sessments seem much more intense than the usual a*s*sessments.” Mason asks him.

spoke to the council this year, and told them my reasons, they agreed. We’re still determining if this level of a*s*sessment will be

it doesn’t have anything to do with Layan going back into the claiming this year?”

the reason that the council agreed to the more intensive a*s*sessments. We want to make sure that nothing like what happened to her, ever happens again. But

and thank Jason before

I don’t immediately move to

asks me, kissing the

having you rub the sides of

as long as you like.” He says, I nod, not saying

of it, the feel of it against my body, lulls me to sleep. I

can walk.” I say,

carry you.” He says, this time kissing the top

sleep in tomorrow. Elijah should be back to full strength and Brynn and Luke

against him. At

can help.” Melinda had said. She isn’t able to heal those a*s*sessed on her own, but her presence had helped them to heal

when she got in their lap, holding her tightly. We found out later that some a*s*sessments included Melinda, and the pack members not

into bed and I fall asleep

up, feeling a cramping in my side. I shower, rubbing my stomach, trying to soothe my babies and my overstretched body. Even with advanced healing, having twins that have come nearly to term is wreaking

bathing and getting dressed, I head down to where our pack members are going after their a*s*sessments. I get another cramp in my side and I stop

voice drifts into my mind. Always so attentive, but definitely more so since I’ve

cramps this morning. I’m making my way to

are giving you problems today, maybe

go sit outside for a bit and see how I

pack members, but the link

outside, sitting in the sun, letting the heat work its magic. But after several minutes, I’m uncomfortable, not finding a spot that works for me. My stomach cramps seem to be getting

my hands on the armrests of the chair and hauling my body up to stand. As I do, I feel a pool of wetness between my legs,

stop, looking

he’s still distracted, but multi-tasking his focus

Instantly, I feel him

“What happened?”

“I think it’s time.”

confusion. “Time for

for us to meet our little ones. I’m

the sound of a door banging open, followed by the moans of those in

I hear Mason say “Alpha, what’s going