The Claiming by Cooper

Mason
I made sure Jara was back in her housing before heading back to the main house. We are all on hold until the new Elder arrives
tomorrow.
Dinner is a somber affair. We’re all used to sitting around tables with a bunch of males and no females. But now, there is the possibility that this year’s claiming will be cancelled. At best, one of the claimants will be sent home.
I can hear the wolves around me talking about Layan. While we all want a mate, no one wants a damaged mate. She could already be pregnant with the Alpha’s child. So, anyone that claimed her would have to raise another man’s child. And given the state she was in when my warrior brought her out of the claiming territory, it’s possible she’ll never have another child. It’s a lot to ask of most males, but especially ranked members. No Alpha will want her now. Most other ranked members will give her a pass if she does go back into the territory. She could save a warrior or omega from going feral, but that may be all the use she has. Or at least, that’s how most will see her now, damaged and not worth the effort of claiming.
I can feel Elijah getting more and more angry beside me as the conversations go on. Finally, he’s had enough. He stands, addressing the room.
“She’s a f*cking person. Goddess, no wonder Alpha Jara and Beta Hana call us savages. Listen to yourselves. That poor girl is in this state because one of US put her there. And now, she’s not worth your time or energy? Maybe the females are right. Maybe we’d all be better off if our species died out. It seems we’ve forgotten
what’s important. WE were supposed to protect HER. Yeah, it’s nice that she will save one us, that makes one of us a lucky b*stard, but it’s not her job. As ranked members and warriors, it IS our job to protect those that need our protection. And we failed. Everyone in this room failed that girl.”
I reach out and put my hand on his arm. He turns, snarling at my touch before collecting himself. “I’m going for a run.” He turns and stalks out of the room. A room that is so quiet you can hear barely hear anyone breathing. No one says anything more about Layan.
I finish eating and head to my room. I lay in my bed thinking of earlier. I meant what I said to Jara. I will protect Layan with my life and by doing so, I’ll protect Jara. While I love and appreciate her willingness to do whatever it takes to protect Layan, I can’t let her risk her life. I won’t. She’s too valuable, too important.
The next morning, the new Elder arrives. Elijah didn’t come back. until early in the morning and it shows on his exhausted face ast the Elder calls all the males to the meeting area.
“You good?” I ask Elijah as we walk out to the stage.
“Yeah, sorry about yesterday.”
“I know you didn’t mean it. We’re good.”

Once we’re all assembled, the Elder takes the stage. “I am Elder Jason. I am here to replace Elder Carson. I have been briefed on the events that occurred with Omega Layan but I believe there are some of you that also have information that you would like to share.”
He is an Alpha from a long line of Alphas. I can tell by the absolute power and authority in his voice. I feel better knowing that this Elder is a true Alpha, like me. Too many Alphas are Alpha in title only, never have descended from an Alpha line. Too many true
Alphas have gone feral leaving weaker wolves to run the packs.
Elder Jason looks down at a piece of paper in his hand. “Would Alphas Mason, Seth and Antonio please join me after this meeting?” He looks up, finding each of us in the crowd and we nod.
“Good. The Claiming is currently under review. No additional claims will take place until I have completed my assessment and made my judgement of what is to occur. For now, the rules still apply. Stay away from the females unless approached by them. Social gatherings are on hold. Feel free to contact your packs, complete work, spar, or go for runs, but there will be no more claiming activities until I reach my verdict.”
“Any questions?”
“Can you ask the females if they would like to have social gatherings? I mean, we’re all here for them. I know the omega, Layan, is probably not interested, but maybe the others are?”
The Elder looks out over the crowd. “I will ask them, but their decision is final until my verdict is reached.”
When no more questions are asked, he looks out at us again. “Elder Carson, you are asked to leave the claiming territory immediately. We appreciate your time in this Claiming, your duties are now mine. The rest of you are dismissed. Alphas Mason, Seth and Antonio, with me, please.” He says it as if it’s a request, but the aura and authority in his voice let us know it’s a command. Yeah, I like this guy already.
The three of us follow Elder Jason into the main house and an office that looks like it was hastily set aside for him. He pulls three chairs in front of a desk covered in papers before sitting down and making a space on the desk, huffing loudly at the mess in front of
him.
When he finally looks up, he takes a deep breath. “So, all three of you are true Alphas.” It’s more a statement than a question, but we all agree with him anyway.
“Good, that makes this easier. Let’s start at the beginning, one at a time and tell me what you experienced with this Alpha, your
concerns, and then what you witnessed when the Omega Layan was brought out of the claiming territory.
I start, giving all the details of what I witnessed and my discussion with Elder Carson. Seth goes next, also indicating that he saw the Alpha acting erratically and had approached Elder Carson. Alpha Antonio finishes up with his recollections of the Alpha, ending with him putting the Alpha down.
“You put the Alpha down? Not Elder Carson?”
“That’s correct. Elder Carson was suffering from being clawed by Alpha Jara when he tried to approach Layan. He didn’t seem to understand the severity of the situation, as we’ve said, and she clawed him down his face. I’m sure you saw the scars.”
“I did. So, he left his post, leaving you to deal with the Alpha?”
“That’s correct.”
“Anything else?”
“He tried to send her back into the territory. She was released from the hospital yesterday morning and later that day, he brought
everyone together saying he was sending her back into the territory this morning.” Seth tells him.
“And yet, that didn’t happen.”
“Alpha Jara and Beta Hana threatened to fight the entire group of males, including the Elder to keep her from going in.” I say.