The Claiming by Cooper

288 (Vouchers

Katerina

I’m so excited to be at this year’s claiming. Finally, finally, I get to find my mate. I want that person who I can share my life with. I want to be a productive member of the pack, not just my mother’s daughter.

I’m not foolish. I spent time with Layan. I understand what she went through last year. But things are different this year. Even though we still have a lot of claimants, I get to choose the fifty males that I want in my claiming.

Fifty. That feels like a huge number. But, when I consider that there are nearly 400 claimants this year, it barely touches the surface. I had asked my mother what would happen if I wanted more than 50. She had laughed and said if I wanted more, she was sure they would allow it. The limit was for my protection, after all.

I’m not sure if it’s because I come from Alpha blood on my mother’s side or, if it’s just wishful thinking, but I want to be a Luna. There are four Alphas in this year’s claim, and I want one of them. However, there is one that I will not choose to have in my claiming. I need to talk to him beforehand. I need him to understand why I won’t choose him.

My mother and I arrive at the claiming before anyone else that is staying in what they call the ‘females’ housing’. It may have been an accurate description last year, but this year, there will be the three of us, plus the four Lunas, their mates and all of their babies. Thankfully, they are putting us on the opposite side of the house from the babies. While I’m thrilled for the support, I really don’t want to be up all night listening to babies crying.

Luna Hana was supposed to be here, but she went into labor early this morning. From what I heard, she insisted that she would be here when Layan went into the claiming territory. I would never bet against one of

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the Lunas. They are a force to be reckoned with and I truly hope that one day soon, I’ll be part of that force.

I’ve barely settled in when I hear a ruckus downstairs. I go out of my room, moving to the stairs and see that Luna Jara, Alpha Mason and their twins are walking in with a huge amount of baby things.

Luna Jara looks up and sees me. “Oh, Katerina! How are you?” She asks. She looks winded, frazzled and sweaty.

“I’m good, Luna. Can I help with anything?” I say, noticing that both babies are crying.

“Oh, no thank you, Katerina. Jaxon and Jordan apparently don’t like car rides.” She says, giving me a look that lets me know her nerves are about shot. “Have you ever driven several hours with what sounds like a dog whistle going off non-stop?” She asks.

I smile, walking down the stairs, picking Jordan up and beginning to coo to her and bounce her as I walk.

“They’ve already eaten, they’re just fussy.” She tells me and I grab Jordan’ s binky and push it in her mouth. She immediately starts suckling on it and quiets down. I pull her little fist to my mouth, nibbling on it while I move to Jaxon, putting his binky in his mouth. Instantly there is quiet.

“Oh sweet goddess above, what magic is this?” Jara says to me.

I laugh and begin singing to Jordan as I walk with her. “I used to help my mom with Sophia.” I tell her.

looking more frazzled than I’ve ever seen him. Not that I’ve spent

says, falling onto the couch

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their rooms when Luna Mignon walks

Can you tell me where our room is?” Mignon says as Asher comes in carrying a car seat with Gianna in one hand and what looks like

Jara. “Luna Jara, I can show you your room

bring all that up?

and I start

in?” Mignon asks, looking at me

I don’t think so,

with Jara. “I want this room.” She says and Jara

this room.” Jara says, moving to a different room.

love.” Mason says, coming in

their room, still carrying Jordan.

am I missing?” I

We all,

I say, smiling at them as I put Jordan down on the blanket

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the floor. I walk out, pulling the door

my Alpha. I probably should have had it before we left our pack, but I chickened out.

to the main packhouse, feeling the excitement in the air. The claimants are still arriving and checking in. I go over to Luna Gia, who is here making sure everyone gets settled and that there

know where Alpha Jonas’s room is?”

but you know that you’re not supposed to be fraternizing with any of the claimants this year,

It was part of the instructions in our documents that arrived a couple weeks ago. We’re not supposed to show any favoritism to any of the claimants until we’ve chosen all of the ones in

I’m not sure what she sees in me, she nods and

but

through it until she finds Alpha Jonas’s room

She says, then tells me his room number and gives me directions on

before following the directions and his

clothes straightening them out before taking a deep breath and knocking on the

surprised when it’s Beta Elijah that opens the door.

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hear Alpha Jonas say a moment before he is standing