The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 45 Jara

Jara

Later, after dinner, we sit and watch a movie. This time, her pack members don’t stay quite so far away, offering to bring us popcorn or refill our drinks. I’m happy to see that Layan doesn’t flinch or cower when they get closer to her. They are all trying to be very careful around her and it seems to be working.

Elijah and Lewis shift out before we’re done watching the movie, and my night guards come to stand watch over me.

While Layan still sits in between us, she doesn’t fall asleep against me. When the movie ends, she turns to me.

“Would it be okay if I slept with you again? I’m sleeping better, but my best sleep is when you’re here.”

“Absolutely.” I say.

“Am I invited too?” Hana asks.

“Of course.” Layan says, laughing. It’s good to hear her laughing again.

We get ready and crawl into bed. Layan asks us about our pregnancies, and we tell her all the things that we like and don’t like about it.

“Did you hear that Mignon felt her little one move?” Hana

asks.

“Already?” I ask.

0.009

“Yes, I can’t wait for that. That will be so exciting.”

until we all drift

Elijah POV

know how long I’ve been asleep when I’m awakened by a loud booming sound. My room and bed begin to shake violently and suddenly there is smoke pouring into the room. I

attack from Gunnar, Typhon or someone else, but no one is hurting my Luna on my watch. Not only that, but I also know she’s with Layan. I won’t let that sweet girl get hurt. Not if I can

duty pushing into Jara’s room. They are coughing as they exit the room, Jara asking what happened.

The roof starts to collapse around us. I rush to Jara, grabbing Layan in the process and pushing the two of them against the wall, using my body

a moment to remember that I’m buck naked, and I worry that I might trigger

make sure she’s

nods and I push both of them in front of me, turning to

her

orders at his men, trying to put the fire out and trying to figure out who is attacking us, because that’s

He looks up, realizing we’re

yells, coming over to look

everyone okay?” He

to get them out of the house. The roof is already caving in up here.” I say, just as someone brings a

go first, stand at the bottom and make sure

I turn to Jara. “You’re up next, Luna.” I tell her and help her get on the ladder.

collapsing and shaking the ladder loose. Lewis moves and catches Jara before she crashes to the floor. I reach out, pulling Layan against me, holding on to her as I watch Lewis set Jara on her feet. I can feel Layan’s body shaking in her fear and hear the

you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I look down into her terrified hazel eyes.

“Trust me?”

when she nods her

of here safely, that’s a

Hana’s guard gets into position at the bottom of the ladder. She gets down without an incident,

I say, taking her by the shoulders and guiding her to

can’t.” Her body is trembling so badly I’m not sure she

turning and squatting down