The Claiming by Cooper

Chapter 41

Mason
I wasn’t happy that Elder Jason asked Jara to run the Alpha ceremony. It was obvious to anyone paying attention that she was exhausted and had pushed herself beyond her limits. But in true Alpha fashion, she would keep pushing herself until she fell over.
I made sure I was there to catch her when she did. I had spoken to Elder Jason during the ceremony and while I understood that he wanted Jara to give her stamp of approval of Alpha Luke, it still didn’t change that she shouldn’t have been pushed so far.
I was thankful he agreed to let me take her home. Even if he hadn’ t, I would have anyway, but it was easier to get through the crowd of people still milling around with his approval.
Jara was asleep before I took my first step away from the stage. I can’t help but feel smug that she trusts me enough to ensure her safety. There are very few of us that she would feel comfortable enough to fall asleep in their arms, but I’m one of them.
Seth comes jogging up to me. “Is she alright?” He asks, moving her hair from her face to see her better.
“Yes, she’s just dead on her feet. I’m taking her back to her room.”
He nods. “I just got back from taking Hana. She insisted on being here for the funeral, but when she started swaying, I knew she couldn’t take anymore.”
As we’re talking, I feel another presence come up behind me. “Alpha Mason, you overstep. You are not allowed to manhandle Alpha Jara this way.”
Typhon.
I turn and look at him, giving him a smug smile. “If you don’t like it, take it up with Elder Jason.” I watch his eyes go wide before turning and beginning to walk Jara back to the female housing.
As tall and strong as she is, she feels light as a feather in my arms. I take full advantage of the time I’m carrying her to look over her features. Seth generously moved her hair out of her face, so now I can see the dark circles under her eyes, the creases by her lips and between her eyebrows that weren’t there this morning. They will be gone tomorrow, but it’s telling of how much energy she expended today. Too much.
Her guard lets me take her to her bedroom. He stands watching while I pull her sheet back and lay her down. Her room is filled with her scent of sweet cream and nutmeg. My mouth begins to water, and I feel my canines extending. I stand, turning away from her, trying to collect myself.

“Alpha, are you alright?” Her guard enters the room, taking a couple of steps toward me, his hand on his gun.
“Yes. I went through reassessment today, so my wolf is more on edge than normal and Alpha Jara’s scent is very strong in this room. Give me a moment. I want to finish making sure she’s as comfortable as I can make her before I leave.” I look him in the
eye.
“I have no intention of being disqualified because I couldn’t control my wolf. I just need a moment.” He nods but doesn’t move.
“Mason?” I hear her soft voice behind me.
I look at her over my shoulder. “Come sit beside me.” She says, scooting over to make room for me.
“Alpha Jara…” Her guard begins.
“It’s okay, Luke. He won’t try to mark me here. He wants to claim me properly.”
I turn and sit beside her on the bed. I brush her hair away from her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She lifts her hand, sliding her thumb over one of my canines, slicing it. I take her hand quickly and lick the wound, closing and healing it.
“Do I really smell that good to you?” She asks me.
“My canines are out, Jara. Your scent to me is mouthwatering and all I want to do right now is sink my teeth into your neck, marking you as mine.”
“I wish we could choose each other Mason. I wish things were different.” Her eyes are filled with sorrow.
“Maybe, when all of this is done, you and I can push for that change. Things can’t continue as they are. They aren’t working. Typhon and your sister are perfect examples of that. So is Layan.” The conversation is helping to subdue my need for her, and my canines begin to retract.
When they do, I reach down, kissing her forehead. “Let me take your shoes off. You should really get some sleep.”
“Ugh, I need to get out of these clothes. I’ve been in them all day and there are too many werewolf scents on them. It’s
overwhelming my senses.”
“Tell me where your clothes are, and I’ll get them for you.”
She looks at me for a long moment. “Could I wear your shirt,
Mason? Your scent calms me.”
I can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face. “You want to sleep in my shirt?”
She nods, her eyes showing her shyness, her sweet blush just adding to it.
I stand, unbuttoning my shirt for her. I watch as her eyes darken.
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