The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 45

Mason

When I return to our room, Elijah is laying on the bed. His nose immediately lifts into the air and a smile creases his face.

"I don't know what you and Alpha Jara did tonight, but you'd better wash that off before every male in this house comes trying to replace her or kill you for having her." "It wasn't like that."

"Mmhmm. Either way, you have her scent all over you. It's potent. I'm surprised no one stopped you before you got to our room." "It's late." I say, stripping off my clothes. "No one is really up. Speaking of, why are you up?" I say, turning my attention to my Beta. "Just thinking."

"I'm going to shower, then we're going to talk." He shrugs and I know my Beta well enough to know that whatever he's thinking about, it's important to him, which makes it important to me.

Regretfully, I wash Jara's scent off of me. I would have preferred to sleep with her scent surrounding me, but Elijah is right. Every male in this house would be able to smell her on me, even the omegas. I know

I already have a target on my back from Typhon and his pack, I don't need any more. Enough wolves have died in this claiming already.

When I come back out, I pull on a pair of sweatpants and sit on my bed, facing Elijah. "Spill." I say, wanting him to start talking.

He stares at the ceiling for a moment. "What do you think is going to happen to that omega, Layan?"

Okay, this isn't at all what I thought was going on in his head. I knew he liked her, but I thought he'd given that up when he wasn't pulled for her lottery.

I think for a moment. What do I think is going to happen? Honestly, I think the Elder council will force her back into the claiming next year. The council hasn't exactly shown itself to be intelligent or understanding when it comes to the claimings.

"I think that very much depends on what Jara can do in the next year." I say honestly. "You know I intend to claim her and both of us believe this process needs to change. But I think they will force Layan back into the claiming next year."

I watch his jaw clench before he turns to me. "I want her."

I'm shocked. The possibility of her not being able to bear children is extremely high. As a ranked member, Elijah would want an heir, to carry on his Beta line.

"Are you sure?" I ask him. I want to know if he's really thought this through.

"Yes. I'm going to do what I can to ensure that Alpha Seth claims Beta Hana and that you claim Alpha Jara. But I want Layan. No matter what, I will be here next year. Somehow, I have to make that happen." I look at my Beta for a moment. "I know Jara wants to let the contestants choose who is in their claiming. She has indicated several times that each of the females showed favoritism toward certain wolves in their claim. If we can make that change before next year, perhaps you can convince Layan to include you in her claim," I tell him.

I watch him relax a bit. "Yes, I think I could do that. She responded well to me before...everything. I know it won't be the same for her now, but....I think I could convince her.”

"And you know she'd be safe in our pack. She already has a bond with Jara. As Luna, Jara would look after her as well."

He turns to me. "It could work."

"If things change between now and then." I remind him.

"I believe in you and Alpha Jara. I know together you will do great things for our species."

When we finish our conversation, I lay in bed contemplating what Elijah said before falling asleep and dreaming of claiming Jara.

The next morning, I can see that Alpha Antonio is itching to get into the claiming territory. He's the only Alpha in Annabel's lottery, but there are three other ranked wolves and several warriors. He will have his work cut out for him.

As before, the omegas are already in wolf form and so are several of the warriors. All of the ranked members are still in their human form. As soon as the gun goes off, the claimants take off running, Alpha Antonio taking an early lead. He seems to know exactly where he's going. And maybe he does. He was out here listening for Annabel all day and night.

When they are out of range, Elder Jason lets us know that Jara and Hana would like to spar this morning. Anyone who would like to spar with them and who they are willing to spar with may attend. "This afternoon, social gatherings will resume as before. Please check the schedules at the designated tables for your time slot. Also, those of you who were previously in Mignon or Layan's lottery and have not yet had a chance to have a social gathering

with Alpha Jara, please see one of our designees and make sure that you are in the queue starting today."

I check my time for my social gathering, noticing that mine is after dinner. Perfect. I'll be able to walk Jara back to her housing without any problems. After we've checked our time slots, many of the ranked members and several warriors return to join the queue to spar with Jara or Hana.

Because there are so many of us and time is limited, we're only given about 15-20 minutes each to spar with one of the females. I use my time in the queue to watch Jara's form again. As before, I see some of her strengths and I'm starting to get a glimpse of her weaknesses. I'm not sure I want to let everyone else here know what her weaknesses might be, so when it's my turn to spar with her, rather than playing to her weaknesses, I play to her strengths.

It seems like only a moment, but the full 20 minutes have passed when we hear the whistle blow. I'm the first one Jara hasn't brought to the ground. I'll admit, she's strong and gave me quite a workout, even with the shortened time. I can't wait until I can train her and strengthen the minor weaknesses I see in her sparring.

As I move aside, Alpha Luke takes a position to spar with Jara as well. He gives her a moment to catch her breath and then I watch as the two of them spar. He's good. A strong and intelligent fighter. He will be my biggest competition in the claiming. Him and Typhon, who I know won't hesitate to fight dirty and who will try to kill me.

Of that, I am positive.