The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 280

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan) Chapter 07 (Jace)

Jordan and I were up late getting everything in order and making sure that we had enough rooms to fit all of the Alphas, old and new. It didn't hurt my feelings at all when Nolan showed up, asking if she wanted to take a break to eat dinner and Jordan told him we didn't have time.

She had stepped out with him, telling him about the council coming to interview him tomorrow and while they were gone, I mind linked the kitchen staff to have them bring food up for me and Jordan. Knowing Jordan like I do, I ordered hamburgers, French fries, and chocolate chip cookies, finger foods that she can grab, bite into and keep working. Nolan keeps trying to get her to eat sit down meals, but that's not Jordan. She doesn't have time for that, especially right now.

When she comes back in, sitting behind her desk, she pulls her hair into a ponytail. "We should think about ordering something to eat, Jace."

"Already done," I tell her, having pulled myself up to her desk so we can work together like we always do.

She looks up at me. "What did you order?"

I smile at her, waiting for her reaction. "Hamburgers and French fries." I'm rewarded with her eyes nearly rolling back in her head. It's her favorite and it's easy to eat and work. "Oh, and chocolate chip cookies."

"Thank the goddess!" she says, and we divide the work, continuing while we eat and into the night.

This morning, I'm standing beside her as she welcomes her parents and the other council members to the pack. "Jordan! It's so good to see you," Luna Jara says, coming up and hugging her daughter. "Mom, it hasn't been that long since you've seen me," Jordan says, hugging her mother back.

"Good to have you home, Alpha," I say, greeting Alpha Mason.

"Gamma Jace, it's good to see you again. When you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you while I'm here."

I nod, already guessing this has to do with one of two things, possibly both. He has either heard that I resigned from the contest for Alpha or that I'm his daughter's mate.

"Absolutely, Alpha," I say as Luna Jara turns to me.

"Hello, Jace," she says to me.

I smile at her. Jara has always been like a surrogate mother to me. She was there when my mother died, holding me and trying to console me. The unwanted memory flashes through my mind, being inside the safe room, my mother grabbing her chest, the horrible keening sound that she made, me screaming and Luna Jara holding me tightly, trying to hide my eyes as my mother died in front of me. Even at a young age, I knew that her death also signified the death of my father. He had been killed on the battlefield and in an instant, my life had changed. I've never forgotten the last words my father spoke to me. "Help protect our Luna."

"Luna Jara," I say, my throat tight as it usually is when I see her. The horrible memories always come flooding back before the memories of her kindness to me. There was only one thing I could ever give to my parents after their death, a legacy. I have done everything in my power to protect my Luna as my father asked of me. And now, years later, I'm still here to protect her daughter.

"Oh phooey, none of that. Call me, Jara, Jace or I'll have to go all Alpha on you." It makes me chuckle and she pulls me in for a hug. "I'm so proud of you," she says in my ear, and I feel the tears

burning in my eyes. More than anyone, even more than Brynn and Luke who adopted me after my parents died, Jara's acceptance and approval has meant the most to me. At least, until I finally decided that I might be worthy of her daughter. Now, Jordan's approval and acceptance have replaced Jara's as the most important in my life.

"Mom, quit embarrassing Jace. He's a grown man and a Gamma," Jordan says.

"Too bad, it's not like I wouldn't hug your brother too," Jara says, but her hands are cupping my face and her eyes are on mine. She knows how important her approval has always been to me. "Where are we staying?" Alpha Mason asks us.

"My old room," Jordan says, giving her father a smirk. She's taken their old room and made it hers.

"I hope you sound-proofed the walls," he says, smirking back at Jordan as she scowls at him.

When they pass, she turns to me. "You, okay?"

"Yeah," I say, not looking at her. She reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it.

"I'm right here," she says. I look at her a moment, in awe that the goddess mated me to this incredible woman. I'm not sure why she did it, but I still struggle to believe that I'm worthy of her. "Get your game face on, here comes Councilman Jason," she says, helping me get my composure.

"What's his mate's name again?" I ask.

"Lara," she says, dropping my hand and turning to greet Councilman Jason.

"Councilman Jason, welcome to my pack. I just wish it was under better circumstances," she says before turning to Jason's mate.

"Lara, how are you?"

"Alpha Jordan, a pleasure as always. And who is this fine young man standing beside you? I hadn't heard that you'd taken a mate." I jerk.

'Easy, Jace. She doesn't know anything,' Jordan says in the mind link. "Lara, have you not met my Gamma? This is Jace. Jace, this is Lara," Jordan says easily.

"A pleasure," I say before turning to Jason. "Councilman, it's good to see you again. If you'll both follow me, I'll show you to your room," I say, turning to lead them to the room that Jordan and I assigned to them for the duration of their stay.

As we walk through the packhouse, I point out different areas that they'll need to be aware of during their stay, since they will remain until after the Alpha meeting.

"Councilman, have you heard any more about how many pack members we should expect to receive during the Alpha meeting?"

"Not yet. I hope to have some numbers for you tonight or tomorrow at the latest," he says. "I'm assuming the fighter Nolan is still here?"

"That's correct, Councilman. As soon as you're settled, I can get him for you. I believe Alpha Jordan wants to be with you when you speak to him, and I'm sure Luna Jara will want to as well."

"The other council members are coming today also, so we'll wait for the other three so that he only needs to tell us the story once. I understand that you have also heard the story?" he says as we get to their

room.

I open the door and step inside, making sure that it's ready for them before turning back to Councilman Jason. "Yes, sir, I did."

"What are your thoughts about the situation?" he asks, surprising me.

I think about it a moment. "I remember the stories when I was growing up of wolves that got feral fever or the claiming haze. They were dangerous and if there were dead human females, they either didn't survive the childbirth or the feral mates killed them once they had their pups. Either way, that's not the kind of parent you want raising the next generation. But beyond that, if this so-called Alpha of the rogues was the son of a low-level criminal, one who knowingly took a human to bear his children, then, to me, it's even worse. Now, you've got bad genetics from the hybrid mating, and you also have an Alpha that was raised by someone who has no respect for our laws. To me, that makes this Alpha very dangerous, not only to my Alpha, but also to my pack."

Councilman Jason looks at me a long moment. "I see you truly understand the depth of what we're dealing with here. I can see why Alpha Jordan asked for you to attend the Alpha meeting," he says. "I'm sure she just wants to keep our pack safe," I say.

"And yet, I spoke to the other council members, and I watched you through the contest, Gamma. All of us were sure that you were going to win a pack, become an Alpha. Then, you resigned. May I ask why?" I look at him. "I have my reasons,

Councilman. If you need anything at all, please let me know. Once the other council members arrive, I'll set up a room for you to interview Nolan," I say, unwilling to answer his question.

I walk to the door. "I'll see you both later," I say, grabbing the door handle and pulling the door closed.

"Count on it," I hear Jason say just before the door closes.