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.

I 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 needed in the future, but given that no one has failed, it appears that, while difficult, it is valuable. We can ensure the safety

do with Layan going back into the

to her, ever happens again. But we also know that any human that doesn’t have absolute control over their wolf may kill in

goodbyes and thank Jason before we

immediately move

love?” Mason asks me, kissing the

sides of my stomach.” My head is leaning back against him, my eyes

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

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

walk.”

kissing the top of my head that is tucked

been exerting too much energy, love. Why don’t you plan to sleep in tomorrow. Elijah should be back to full strength and Brynn and Luke are helping. Even Melinda seems to understand that her presence

leaning against him. At first, I thought Brynn would get

to heal those a*s*sessed on her own, but her presence had helped them to heal faster, especially the omegas who were coming out of a*s*sessment nearly comatose from

tightly. We found out later that some

let Mason tuck me into bed and I fall asleep curled up in his

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,

I finish 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

Always so attentive, but definitely more so since

cramps this morning. I’m making my way to

are giving you problems today, maybe

to go sit outside for a bit and see how I feel after that.” I

our pack members, but the link between us

the heat work its magic. But after several minutes, I’m uncomfortable, not finding a spot that

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, soaking my

stop, looking

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

I feel him

“What happened?”

“I think it’s time.”

his confusion. “Time

our little ones. I’m

a door banging open, followed by the moans of

hear Mason say “Alpha, what’s going on?”