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.

you mind helping us for a moment?”

he’s in an alliance with all of our packs. And I have every intention of helping him and his pack as much

you?” He asks,

publicly, but Alpha Asher, Mignon and Annabel don’t know about how to tell if

that I’m going feral?”

You know how you felt it when I touched you today? I can feel it too.” I tell

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. What

him. “Let us touch you.” She

tell Alpha Seth you said that.” He jokes.

already knows. His mother is the one that taught

me.” I say.

you what?” Annabel asks, moving to stand beside Hana. Hana puts her hand on Alpha

hesitates a moment, then

that?” She asks, looking between Alpha Davis and Hana.

year is my last chance to claim my mate before it’s too late for me.” He tells

her hands back on his shoulder, looking at

feel it?” Hana asks. I notice that now that he has two Lunas touching

do. It…..ripples.”

The Council Chapter

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

keep my pack members from going feral?”

I

Asher. “Asher, if this

he doesn’t like the idea of his mate touching another male, especially

work?” He asks

find out, Alpha. Let her see if she can feel it. If she can,

a long moment before nodding his agreement. Immediately, she hops up and moves

what Luna Jara said.” Lewis, my guard says

look at

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,

face before reaching out and touching Alpha Davis. As soon as she does her eyes go wide and she looks at

feel it, Ash. I really

feel like,

Annabel

Asher. My mother never suffered ill effects. The feral-fever is a direct result of there not