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.”

talk until we all drift off to

Elijah POV

room and bed begin to shake violently and suddenly there is smoke pouring into the

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

can hear the guards that were on duty pushing into Jara’s room. They are coughing as they exit the room, Jara

gotten out of the bedroom when there’s another explosion. 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

to remember that I’m buck naked, and I worry that I might trigger Layan. It can’t be helped. Protecting Jara and

to make sure she’s not injured. “We have

I push both of them in front of me, turning

guards have her safe. When we get to

I see that they have collapsed. The floor below us is chaos. Alpha Davis is barking orders at his men, trying to put the fire out and trying

I call, getting his attention. He looks up,

coming over to look at us.

okay?” He asks.

but I want to get them out of the house. The roof is already caving in

you go first, stand at the bottom and make sure you catch them

Jara. “You’re up next, Luna.” I tell her and help

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

got you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I look down into

“Trust me?”

soars when she nods her

get you out of here safely,

the ladder. She gets down without an

say, taking her by the shoulders and guiding her to the ladder.

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

turning and squatting down in front of