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.

helping us for a moment?” I ask him.

all

can I do for you?” He

publicly, but Alpha Asher, Mignon and Annabel don’t know about how to tell if someone is going feral. Would you mind if…”

you tell them that I’m going feral?” He finishes for me.

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

sense. You seemed to recognize right away that it has started in me.”

others, I’m more than willing to do what I can. What do you need?”

up, walking to him. “Let us touch you.” She says.

tell Alpha Seth you said that.”

knows. His mother is the one that

I say.

asks, 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

asks, looking between Alpha Davis and Hana.

sadly. “I’m close to going feral. At best, next year is my last chance to

puts her hands back on his shoulder, looking

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

do. It…..ripples.” She

The Council Chapter

or as Lunas, or both maybe, can push their feral-fever away.

a Luna I can help keep my pack members from going feral?”

and I say together.

turns to look at Asher. “Asher, if this can help

of his

will work?” He asks me.

see if she can feel it. If she can, I’d say yes. She could make a difference in your pack.”

his agreement. Immediately, she hops up

my guard says from his

to look at

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

her face before reaching out and touching Alpha Davis. As soon as she does

feel it, Ash. I really

like, baby girl?”

and Annabel say

result of there not being enough she-wolves. We can feel the darkness, but we push it away.” I say, trying