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.

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 to make sure that his previous

of the territory, all of them looking worn and weary. We catch snippets of their

even saw her.”

caught her scent.”

she was really in

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

it was so quiet in there. They couldn’t find her.” Hana says.

wonder where she was.”

was,

so long. I had to get

was very careful, very stealthy, Katerina could have used the watering hole as her hiding spot. It would explain why

top of

then, Alpha Quinton comes walking out of the territory. He also looks exhausted and

she come out yet?” He asks.

Jonas says, watching the forest

to wait and

give it to him, watching as he downs it in one go.

one hell of a hunt.” He says,

minutes before Alpha Davis comes walking out of the territory empty-handed. Hana grabs him a bottle and he

it was Luke that caught her?” He

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

say, standing beside them,

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

to him slowly, not sure what to

okay, Luna. I’m not in the haze.” He says and I approach, looking at her neck. I frown and look

me her neck when I caught her. It made marking her