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.

comes rushing in. “What happened, why is it so quiet?” He asks, looking more frazzled than I’ve ever seen him. Not that I’ve spent

Jara says, falling onto the couch in

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ready to start getting them to their rooms when Luna Mignon walks in with her mate, Alpha Asher, and their

Mignon says as Asher comes in carrying a car seat with

tell her. I turn to Jara. “Luna Jara, I can show you your room as well.”

bring all that up? I’ll

up the stairs and I start to put them in their

matter what rooms we’re in?” Mignon asks, looking at me then at Jara.

I don’t think so,

knowing smile with Jara. “I want this

Jara says, moving to

choice, my love.” Mason says, coming in behind

follow them into their room, still carrying

am I missing?” I

at me. “These were our rooms last year. We all, except Layan of course, have fond

memories.” I say, smiling at

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the floor. I walk out, pulling the door closed

Alpha. I probably should have had it before we left our pack, but I chickened out. Now, my time is running out. He’s a good Alpha, and he deserves an

still arriving and checking in. I

where Alpha Jonas’s room is?”

not supposed to be fraternizing with any of the

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 our claim. However, this isn’t showing favoritism,

what she sees in me, she nods and goes to a table,

but

opens it, looking through it until she

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

following the

my hands down my clothes straightening them out before taking

Elijah that opens the door. “Katerina, what are you doing here?” He asks.

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Alpha Jonas say a moment before he is standing behind