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.

in truth, I think it should have always been like this. I fought for stronger a*s*sessments, especially since they were done months in advance of the claiming, but I was overruled. When 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

have anything to do with Layan going back

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

say our goodbyes and thank Jason before

immediately move to get

Mason asks me, kissing the side

you rub the sides of

long as you like.” He says, I

it, the feel of it

can walk.” I say,

can carry you.” He says, this time kissing the top of my head that is tucked up

plan to sleep in tomorrow. Elijah should be back to full strength and Brynn and Luke are helping. Even Melinda seems to understand that

she had crawled into one of the omegas laps, leaning against him. At first, I thought Brynn would get upset. But she watched the omega wrap his arms around Melinda, before sighing and leaning his head back

isn’t able to heal those a*s*sessed on her own, but her presence had helped them

their lap, holding her tightly. We found out

me into bed and I fall asleep

next morning, he is already gone when I wake. I slowly get 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

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

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

morning. I’m making my

problems today, maybe you should sit it out,

“I’m going to go sit outside for a bit and see how I

one of our pack members, but the link between us stays wide open. He’s worried about

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

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

looking

Mason in my head, he’s still distracted, but

Mason…” Instantly, I feel him laser focused

“What happened?”

“I think it’s time.”

his confusion. “Time for what?” He

to meet our little ones. I’m pretty

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

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