The Claiming by Cooper

Layan’s Retum Chapter 27: Jara

Jara

Even though it’s the middle of the night, we all hear the howl of victory. I rush out of bed and begin getting dressed before turning back to Mason.

“Who do you think caught her?” I whisper so we don’t wake the twins.

He yawns, totally unconcerned. “No telling, but that was definitely an Alpha’s howl, so she’s a Luna now.” He says, rolling back over. “I’ll stay and watch the kids.”

I stare at his back for a moment. “Seriously? You’re not the least bit curious?”

He turns his head just enough to look at me. “You’ll tell me or I’ll find out in a few hours when I get up. Either way, it won’t change the outcome, love, and I need sleep.”

I frown at him before I finish getting dressed and rush out of the room. I’m just closing my door when Hana, Annabel and Mignon come rushing out of their rooms. We smile at each other and race down the stairs and out of the house.

“None of the guys cared to come find out who claimed her?” I ask them.

We all agree that our mates are the most uninquisitive men we’ve ever met.

“Asher even went so far as to say that he didn’t have to be nosey because I’m nosey enough for both of us. Imagine!” Mignon says, offended.

“The nerve of him.” Hana says.

“This isn’t being nosey, this is being curious.” Annabel clarifies.

“Curious and wanting to ensure that Katerina is safe and was claimed properly.” I say.

We all agree that those are our reasons and being nosey has nothing to do with it.

see that nearly all of the claimants are there, watching to see who brings Katerina out. I notice the Alpha Jonas is front and center. We all know that he and his pack members weren’t invited to Katerina’s claiming, but in true Alpha fashion, he’s here

out of the territory, all of them looking

saw her.”

caught her scent.”

she was

the other Lunas. We all smile proudly. She gave them a good run,

in there. They couldn’t find her.” Hana

where she was.” Mignon says.

trees, like Jara was, I’ll

but the trees only lasted so

for food and water.” And that’s when it dawns on me. If she was very careful, very stealthy, Katerina could have used the watering hole as her hiding spot. It

hole on top of the cliff.” I

comes walking out of the

out yet?” He asks.

Jonas says, watching the forest line.

to wait and see

grab a bottle of water and give it to him, watching as he downs it

one hell of a hunt.” He says, appreciatively. “I’m thankful I’ve got a

empty-handed. Hana grabs him a bottle and

was Luke

sounded like an Alpha’s howl to me.” Quinton

I say, standing

before Luke finally emerges holding an unconscious Katerina in his arms, her long dark hair swinging nearly to the

sure what to

He says and I approach,

it would be me and she willingly gave me her neck when I caught her. It made marking her a much gentler process.” He says. Her mark isn’t even bruised. It’s two simple puncture wounds at the crook of her neck where it turns to