The Claiming by Cooper

Mason

After spending an hour with Beta Hana, I’m tempted to rethink my desire to enter her claiming. That is until we nearly walk into Elijah and Jara. He is escorting her to dinner, just as I am escorting Hana, although I doubt the reason he was chosen was the same.

Hana had come right out and asked if there was anyone in the room who did not intend to be in her claiming. I was the only one to raise my hand and therefore, I was the only one that she spent any time with during her social hour.

If I thought that Hana’s outfit tonight was meant to cause the males to drool with lust, Jara’s is downright riot-inducing. I can’t help it as my eyes drift down her practically see-through dress. The nude color underneath barely covers her and since it’s the same color as her skin, it’s nearly impossible to see where her layer of material ends, and her actual skins begins. If these two don’t cause a rut, it’ll be a fucking miracle.

And as I see the smug look on Jara’s face, the same one I saw on Hana’s when she walked into her social gathering tonight, I know that’s exactly what they are hoping. They want us to kill each other off, so they don’t have to go through their claiming. I make a mental note to never underestimate either of these women.

“Alpha Jara. You look….breath-taking. And since you seem to be dressed for dancing, may I put in my request now for a dance?”

She takes a moment to look me over. “Alpha Mason, my brother spoke highly of you.” She turns to look at Elijah. “Both of you.”

That surprises me, and I can see Elijah’s shock as it quickly crosses his face before being replaced with his usual calm

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demeanor. I didn’t know Seth would speak highly of anyone wanting to claim his sister. I’m hopeful that will give me an in with her.

“Your Beta also spoke highly of you during our conversation. So, I’ll save you a dance. Don’t disappoint me, Alpha.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it….Alpha.” I say, making her lips twitch.

She gestures for us to precede her into the room. The minute Hana and I walk in, the entire room goes deathly quiet. I catch Seth’s eye and nod my head as Elijah and Jara step up beside us. When they do, the animosity in the room ratchets up significantly. Not only were we given special attention during their social gathering, but the two most eligible women in this year’s claiming are on our arms. Add to that, they are dressed to cause pandemonium and chaos and it looks like their plan is working.

Seth walks over as the guards take a more protective stance around all the females.

“What the fuck are you wearing, Jara?” He asks quietly so only those of us in her immediate vicinity can hear.

“It’s called a dress, Seth.”

I can see the muscle in his face ticking as he clenches his jaw.

you chose this

incapable of maintaining a level of decorum in

given the atmosphere in the room, that may not even be a figurative

statement.

down a moment before shaking his head and

the goddess every day that you’re my brother, Seth.” She says, leaning in to kiss his

expertly steps away from Elijah, linking her arm

sister speaks highly of you, and I can see that her praise is not

taking her hand and kissing it. The look he gives her is just possessive enough to have me stepping away, but not so possessive that Hana dismisses him.

I escort you to your table, Alpha Jara?”

toward our assigned table. Since we were in the pool for

get to have dinner with

she sits, she turns to me. “I look forward to our dance later, Alpha Mason.” I pull her seat out and wait while she sits,

be my honor, Alpha Jara.” I notice the enraged looks the others at her table give me before I head to my table. I’m not

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is interested in spending more time with me. Either way, I’m getting more time

entire hour with her?” I ask as soon as I sit down. I had put

for Layan, and she came to thank me. Afterward, we talked, and the

look at my Beta. “And you put in a good word for

turn back and look

because

of our names and was comfortable enough to ignore everyone else in our room for

“Interesting.”

seems like you and Beta Hana

in asking if there was anyone in the room who wasn’t intending to claim her. I was the

“They are both

“Definitely worthy mates.”

claiming Beta Hana?” He asks me.