The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 22. Jara

Jara

I hear the pack members carrying their pizzas to the dining room where they will eat while we have our movie night and sleepover in the living room.

When I get there, Mignon moves over, and I sit down beside Layan.

“Did you eat?” I ask her.

She shakes her head, no, at me. I grab a plate and put two pieces on it, sitting in on my lap, then tucking her under my arm.

“What did we decide to watch?”

“Some rom-com about a girl who has no short-term memory and can’t remember that she falls for this guy every day.”

“Sounds fun!” I say and pick up a piece of pizza. I lean my head against Layan’s. “Will you try to eat for me, please?” I say quietly, but I know all the Lunas can hear me.

Layan looks at the pizza for a moment then picks is up and takes a bite before putting it down. It takes her awhile to chew and swallow it, Hana giving her a drink to help her wash it down. But, as we watch the movie, Layan slowly eats the piece of pizza.

We’re about halfway through the movie when I realize she’s sound asleep. I lean sideways, Annabel helping me tuck some pillows under my body and pull Layan against me so she’s in a more comfortable position.

Asher has been giving us space, but always keeping us in eyesight.

“You all did a great job with her tonight.” He says and Mignon goes

to sit on his lap.

I watch him, seeing that he has something else he wants to say.

“Look, it’s not my place and I’m not your mates, but, I don’t think. Mason or Seth would appreciate knowing that the two of you are touching every unmated male in this pack.” Asher says.

Hana and I look at each other before turning back to them. “You don’t know?” Hana asks.

“Know what?” Asher asks and Annabel turns to look at us.

“I noticed you touching all of them too. What don’t we know?”

Just then, Alpha Davis walks in, and a small smile crosses his face when he sees Layan sleeping against me. “I sent her mother to bed. I told her Layan would be safe with your four tonight.”

“Good.” I say, making a decision.

mind helping us for a

touchy. Having others know he’s close to going feral could be dangerous, but he’s in an alliance with all of our packs. And I have every intention

can I do for you?” He asks,

to tell if someone is going feral. Would

I’m going feral?”

felt it when I touched

guess that makes sense. You seemed to recognize right away that it has started in me.” He says.

it will help others, I’m more than willing to do what I can.

up, walking to him. “Let us

you said that.” He

is the one that taught me.” She tells

me.” I

moving to stand beside Hana. Hana puts her hand on

on his back.” Hana tells Annabel. Annabel hesitates a moment, then complies. Immediately, she sucks in air and pulls. her

that?” She asks, looking between

at her sadly. “I’m close to going feral. At best, next year is my last chance to claim my mate before it’s too late for me.”

hands back on his

Hana asks. I notice that now that he has

It…..ripples.” She says.

The Council Chapter

push their feral-fever away. Not forever, but for

keep my pack members from going feral?” Mignon

and I say together.

look at Asher. “Asher, if this can help our

the idea of his mate touching another male, especially an unmated

work?” He asks me.

her see if she can feel it. If she can, I’d say yes. She could make

Immediately, she hops up and moves to Alpha Davis who is still

would add to what Luna Jara said.” Lewis, my guard

look at him.

Mason to put me down, I was that close. When Luna Nina came to our pack with Luna Jara, I didn’t realize how close I was, that’s how bad it was for me. But being with them, spending time with them, being around them and having them touch me has pushed my feral-fever away. It takes more than a few days, that’s why Luna Jara wanted me as her guard, so that I could stay close to her. But now, it’s like I’m 18 again. I feel great. No darkness, not lack of

reaching out and touching Alpha Davis. As soon as

can feel it, Ash. I

like, baby

Mignon and Annabel say

Mignon away from Davis. “She’s okay, Asher. My mother never suffered ill effects. The feral-fever is a direct result of there not being enough she-wolves. We can feel the darkness, but we push it away.”