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.

of the main packhouse, I 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

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

even saw her.”

caught her

was really in there?”

Lunas. We all smile proudly. She gave them a

there. They couldn’t find

wonder where she was.”

Jara was, I’ll bet.” Annabel

so long. I had

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 would explain why no one ever caught her scent on the ground. She was always high in

top of

Alpha Quinton comes walking out of the territory.

she come out yet?” He

says, watching the forest line.

ground to wait and see who claimed

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

been on where I couldn’t find a scent trail. That was one hell of a hunt.” He says, appreciatively. “I’m thankful

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

Luke

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

say, standing beside them,

in his arms, her long dark hair swinging nearly

up to him slowly, not sure what to expect after

He says and I approach, looking at her neck. I

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