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?” I ask him.

feral could be dangerous, but he’s in an alliance with all of

for you?” He asks,

tell if someone is going feral. Would you

tell them that I’m going feral?” He

when I touched you today?

guess that makes sense. You seemed to recognize right away that

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

him. “Let

Alpha Seth you said that.” He

His mother is the one that taught me.”

me.” I say.

asks, moving to stand beside Hana. Hana puts her hand on Alpha Davis’s back, and I

back.” Hana tells Annabel. Annabel hesitates a moment, then complies. Immediately, she sucks

asks, looking between Alpha Davis and

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

puts her hands back on

he

do. It…..ripples.” She says.

The Council Chapter

Lunas, or both maybe, can push their feral-fever away. Not forever, but for a while, extending their

I can help keep my pack

I

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

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

this will work?” He asks

she can feel it. If she can, I’d say

nodding his agreement. Immediately, she hops up and moves to Alpha Davis who is

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

to look at him.

Alpha 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

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

feel it, Ash. I really can.”

feel like, baby girl?” He

Annabel

“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.” I say, trying to