The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 55 Jara

Jara

I haven’t spoken to Mason since he rejected me several weeks ago. If I’m honest with myself, I know it wasn’t a rejection, it was from a place of love that he told me no. I know that, somewhere in my mind, I know I’m being irrational, but it does nothing for my feelings of anger and hurt so I’ ve stayed away from him, choosing to sleep in Layan’s room every night instead of going to our room.

I’ve shut myself off from Mason. My grief is so overwhelming that I can’t handle any more. I know he’s hurting too, but I can’t be there for him. It’s just too much right now. The same is true for the pack. I know they are feeling grief for our loss, and I’ve shut myself off from them, not able to deal with more than my own pain. And so, I’ve stayed locked inside my own head.

I’ve avoided everyone, everyone except Layan and Isabella who refuse to let me ignore them. Or, if I refuse to speak, they sit with me, talking around me or sometimes, just sitting quietly with me. They’ve made sure that I eat and that I bathe. Otherwise, I go where they tell me, I sit where they tell me.

Tonight, as with every evening, I’m in a rocking chair on the back porch with a blanket over my lap, rocking gently in my chair looking out over the forest. Layan is on one side of me and Isabella on the other.

“Luna!” Melinda says, racing toward me.

“Melinda, no. Come back here. Leave Luna alone.” Brynn says, coming up behind her.

“I’m so sorry, Luna.” She says, taking Melinda’s hand and trying to pull

her away.

Melinda is having none of it. “No momma. I have a message for Luna. I have to give it to her, it’s important.” She says, fighting to pull her hand out of her mother’s grasp.

“Melinda, stop this. We’ve talked about this.” She says, picking Melinda

1. up.

“Luna, please. It’s important.” Melinda says as Brynn begins to carry her

away.

“It’s okay, Brynn.” I say, reaching my arms out for Melinda. She’s so insistent that whatever she feels the need to tell me is important to her.

Brynn puts her down and she rushes back to me. I help her crawl into my lap, and she takes my face in her small hands.

my dream to tell me and she said it was very important that I tell you. She made

“A message from Mila?” I ask.

says, nodding. Isabella is watching her closely and she leans forward.

your dream, Melinda?” She asks, maybe wondering if Melinda has heard my

color, not

That’s exactly what my

did she say?” Layan asks, everyone’s attention riveted

now.

said to say thank you for sending her the baby she could never have. She said you don’t have to cry

Luna. She has baby Mena, that’s what she called her, and she will take care of her and

to my

the Moon Goddess’s realm, but your job is here. So, she will watch over your little girl as if she was her own, so you don’t have to be sad anymore. And

hot sting of tears in my eyes. “She always wanted to name her daughter Mena. Did you see her? My

holding her. She’s very pretty. She has your dark hair and Alpha’s grey eyes. Oh, and Warrior Lewis was there too. He said he’ll watch over them like he watched

pull her to me, hugging her

you, Melinda.” I say,

to make sure I gave you this message. She said it would make

really does. Thank you.” She

momma, I’m ready

”

too. They reach out, holding my hands.

has been lifted from me, a darkness removed. My child is with my sister, and I know

it’s unnaturally quiet. There’s no laughter, no talking, nothing. Just the sound

not only suffered the loss of a member of their pack, but they are feeling the loss, grief and withdrawal of their Alpha and Luna.

done. I open the door in my mind that connects me to Mason. The moment I do, it’s as if I can feel his head snap up, as if he’s been

follow his scent to his office. I open the door and see my mate for the first time in

mess, as if he can’t keep his hands out of it. The office smells strongly of him and I realize he’s been sleeping in here at night while I’ve been sleeping in