The Claiming by Cooper

Layanı Return Chapter 7 Jara

Jara

The second day of assessment is as grueling as the first. I take it slowly, making sure that I don’t overextend myself. I take hourly breaks and when I feel my babies start to slow their movements, as if my healing our pack is draining them too, I stop and go lay down to rest. Yesterday I slept nearly four hours before Mason woke me for dinner. Today is the same.

Layan had stayed one night with Elijah and had gone home the next morning. She knew her pack needed her and I’m thankful I can help in my pack as well. From everything we’ve heard from all of the packs, this year’ s assessments are far worse than previous ones.

When I ask Mason about it, he decides we should call Councilman Jason and ask him.

We’re in his office, and I’m on his lap, as always, these days. I lean back against him, and he begins rubbing circles on my stomach, soothing me and our little ones.

“Councilman Jason.” He answers on the third ring.

“Councilman. This is Alpha Mason.”

“Mason, how are you? How are assessments going? I haven’t heard of any males failing.”

“No, none of my pack members have failed assessment so far. We have one more day of assessments to go.”

“I didn’t just mean your pack, Alpha. None of the packs have a single male that has failed assessment.”

Mason and I look at each other. “So, the council was right?” I ask.

“It would appear so.

“And we think this is because the she-wolves are providing this vaccination effect in the packs?” Mason asks.

“That’s my take on it.” Jason says.

Mason and I sit in silence for a moment.

“So, what can I do for you Alpha, Luna?” He asks.

“We wanted to know why this year’s assessments seem much more intense than the usual assessments.” Mason asks him.

“Well, in truth, I think it should have always been like this. I fought for stronger assessments, especially since they were done months in advance of the claiming, but I was overruled. When I spoke to the council this year, and told them my reasons, they agreed. We’re still determining if this level of assessment will be needed in the future, but given that no one has failed, it appears that, while difficult, it is valuable. We can ensure the safety of our females, and our pack mates can still successfully pass

assessment.”

“So, it doesn’t have anything to do with Layan going back into the claiming this year?” I ask him.

We want to make sure that nothing like what happened to her, ever happens again. But we also know that any

our goodbyes and thank

I don’t immediately move to get

asks me, kissing

rub the sides of my stomach.” My head is leaning back against

stay here as long as you like.” He says, I nod, not

feel of it against my body, lulls me to

I say,

Why don’t you plan to sleep in tomorrow. Elijah should

omegas laps, leaning against him. At first, I thought

presence had

when she got in their lap, holding her tightly. We found out later that some assessments included Melinda, and the pack members not being able to save

tuck me into bed and I fall asleep curled up in

is already gone when I

my stomach, trying to soothe my babies and my overstretched

term is wreaking havoc on my entire body.

bathing and getting dressed, I head down to where our pack members are going after their assessments. I get another cramp

voice drifts into my mind. Always so

I’m making

the pups are giving you problems today, maybe you should sit it out, Jara.”

sit outside for a bit and see how

of our pack members, but

But after several minutes, I’m uncomfortable, not finding a spot that works for me. My stomach cramps seem to be getting worse,

body up to stand. As I do,

down. Oh shit.

I hear Mason in my head, he’s

focus on me.

“Umm, Mason…”

feel him laser focused

“What happened?”

think it’s

confusion. “Time for what?” He asks.

us to meet our little ones. I’m pretty sure

a door banging open, followed by the moans of those in

I hear

what’s going on?” I hear