The Claiming by Cooper

Layan’s Return Chapter 25 Jara

Jara

When the meeting with Dr. Braxton ends, I walk over to speak to Brynn. This is the first time she’s sat in and listened to Dr. Braxton’ s reports since the first one. It’s a lot to take in, especially when her daughter is part of it.

“How are you doing?” I ask her.

“Would you think less of me if I told you I’m overwhelmed?” She asks.

“I’d think less of you if you weren’t. I think we all are. That was a lot all at once.”

“So, why do you think Melinda has higher than normal antibodies in her system?” She asks me.

“I don’t know Brynn, we can ask Dr. Braxton, but it’s been clear from the beginning that Melinda is pretty special.” I tell her.

She nods and we approach Dr. Braxton as he’s putting his things

away.

“Excuse me, Dr. Braxton?” I say, as we walk up.

“Oh yes, Luna Jara. Hello, Gamma Brynn.”

“Doctor, we were wondering if we could ask a question about Melinda.” I say.

He gestures for us to sit, and we do, turning our chairs to face him.

“You want to know why your daughter, a true Beta, is showing the same high levels of antibodies as the Alpha children?” He guesses,

looking at Brynn.

“Well, actually, yes.”

born at a time when the antibodies in your blood stream had strengthened enough to be passed to her, it could be that she is just the first to show the signs that all children will show going forward, or it could just be that your

smiles. “She’s quite a charming young lady. Engaging and

is.” Brynn says.

says, watching

mean?”

four, is

correct.” Brynn tells him.

of several of your pack members. She inherently knew that they needed her close. But more than that, the assessments this year were brutal from what I understand. Having her close, might have helped them feel better because she was pushing the feral- fever and

sure I’m following

had mentioned this particular habit of the doc’s and now I’ve become hyper aware of it. He really

push

or a claiming haze based on the nature of the virtual reality that they are put into. Even though everyone passed, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t feel the unease of the virus in their system, pushing forward, trying to take hold. Your daughter seemed to instinctively know that they needed her presence to push the virus away, to help your pack members feel

she needed to help our pack mates?” Brynn

your mate

possible I guess, but it’s nothing

Alpha blood, he’s just a second son.”

surprise me if she became a Luna one day.

“Thank you, doctor.”

again. “Doctor, will you be

understand what is going on, I’ll need to continue my experiments and testing for years

I guess we’ll be seeing you around, doc.” I

before she heads back to the pack. With Mason and Elijah here, she and Luke are running everything for us. Now that most of our pack members have been sent home, it’s a lot of work for the two of them.

in a baby rocker on the floor. I look around

up to your room so she wouldn’t wake the others. Annabel had just gotten Valentina to

him against me when his eyes open, bouncing him gently until he settles back into sleep. I walk upstairs and listen at the door. Not hearing anything I

on his back. And laying on his chest is my daughter, her legs and arms curled up underneath her, her face over his heart, no doubt listening to the soft thumping

spot where Mason and I once sat listening to the sounds coming from the claiming territory. I find

the territory last