The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 49

Mason

I've never been so close to losing control of my wolf. Not even reassessment pushed me to this limit. But Jara's willing

submission to me nearly has my control snapping. It's only her sweet voice, whispering my name that has me reining in my wolf before I do something I can't undo. I can't lose her, not when I'm so close to making her mine.

When I finally pull back, hoping her wolf recognized my wolf's acceptance and show of love for her, my body is still shaking. Jara holds me until the tremors finally settle.

"Give a guy some warning next time." I say, chuckling.

"Sorry?" She says, but I know she's not, and I'm glad she's not.

She submitted to me, willingly. That's more than I could have ever asked for in this situation. And I want to make sure she understands what it means to me. What she means to me.

"I've fallen in love with you, Jara. I know I shouldn't have. I know things are crazy right now and I know you may not feel the same..." Her finger comes up to my lips, effectively stopping my word vomit. "I love you too, Mason. I don't know if I realized it before tonight, but I know it now."

I feel like my heart is about to explode. She loves me too. She loves me, and she wants me to be her mate. Nothing and no one will stop that from happening.

"You are mine, Jara. In less than a month, everyone will know that

you are mine."

"You still have to catch me, Alpha." She says, teasingly.

I can't help the growl of pleasure at the thought of catching my mate.

"And if you walk out of that claiming a free woman, Jara? Will you claim me?"

"Who knows, Alpha Mason. Maybe I'll hunt you down, putting my mark on your neck."

"Right here?" I ask, sliding my fingers over my marking spot.

She leans forward and licks my marking spot, before biting it gently. A hot flash of desire rushes through me.

"Jara..." I say, warningly.

"Yes, Alpha, that's exactly where my mark will go. Someday soon."

I pull away from her, my control on the verge of breaking. I take her hand and begin walking toward her housing again. We stay quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. When we get to the gate, I pull her into a passionate kiss, pushing all my love and adoration for this woman into it. When I finally pull back, we're both panting.

"I love you, Jara. Sleep well."

1 step away from her, walking backward and holding her hand as long as I can. Just before her hand drops from mine, she grips my fingers.

"I love you too, Mason."

I'm pretty sure my smile lights up the night sky, it's so bright.

"I'll see you tomorrow, gorgeous."

She smiles and nods before heading inside. Her guard, Luke passes me, following her inside. "Well done, Alpha." He says quietly for my ears only.

I wonder where he's from. Jara trusts him and he's proven himself to be a good guard for her. Maybe he'd be interested in switching packs. He could become her guard full time. Something to think about.

I'm distracted with thoughts of Jara and our future, so I don't immediately realize that there are several wolves waiting in the shadows. When one steps out, I stop, ready for a fight.

"Alpha Mason. May we have a private word?" I sniff the air and realize these are Typhon's pack members.

"If your intention is to threaten me or try to convince me to withdraw from Alpha Jara's claim, you'll be disappointed."

I watch as they look around. I sniff again and realize that these are omegas and warriors. "What's on your mind, gentlemen?" I ask.

"Not here. Will you meet with us outside, Alpha?”

"If this is an attempt to trap me, or bring me to Typhon, you'll all be dead by morning." I threaten them. I can smell their fear, I'm just not sure what they are afraid of. "That's not it. Please, Alpha."

"You've been warned." I tell them, following the five men away from the main house.

I push my aura out, feeling around for a trap, but I don't feel anything. When we're away from the house, they turn back to me.

"Alpha, we want to know if we can join your pack?"

Okay, that's unexpected. I frown at them. "Why?"

"Alpha Typhon has ordered all of us in Alpha Jara's claim to help him claim her." I snarl, it's against the rules. He is supposed to allow every member of his pack to try to claim Jara. The men bow their heads in submission at my anger. "Alpha Jara was very clear today that she'll kill any of us that help him claim her."

"So, you're afraid of Alpha Jara? Not that I blame you, she isn't one to speak lightly about killing."

"No, that's not the only reason. We were all there when Alpha Typhon claimed Luna Mila." One says.

"We saw how he mistreated her, how he kept her away from the pack and her family." Another picks up the story.

"We disagreed, but what could we do? He's our Alpha." Another

says.

"We know Alpha Jara is showing favoritism to you. We think you could claim her, but if we don't help Alpha Typhon, he'll kill us.

"Either way, we're dead, either by Alpha Jara's hand or Alpha Typhon's.

"Unless we switch packs. We don't think Alpha Seth would have us, not after losing his sister."

"Alpha Antonio is in Annabel's claim, so we can't ask him. But after

today, we want out."

"We're hoping you agree, Alpha."

The group has obviously talked about this, and they all seem to be on the same page. They want out of Typhon's pack and into mine.

"What if I agree? What does that mean for you and Alpha Jara's claiming?" I ask them.

"We'll remove ourselves from her claim. None of us is that close to going feral. But we can't remove ourselves if we're still part of Alpha Typhon's pack."

"Let me talk to Elder Jason. I've never been in this type of situation where I would be taking pack members from an unsuspecting Alpha."

"Can you trust him, Alpha?" One of the warriors asks.

"I believe so. Unlike some of the others, he seems to be a good Alpha and Elder." I reply.

"Then we will trust your judgement. Please let us know what you decide before Alpha Jara's claiming."

"Very well. Is there anything else?" I ask.

They all look at each other again. "You know he wants you dead?" One of the warriors says.

"I do. I'm his biggest competition."

"Alpha Typhon has given us two commands for Alpha Jara's claiming. First is to help him claim her, the second is to make sure you don't leave the claiming territory alive." "So, every member of his pack will be trying to kill me?"

"Yes, and he's actively trying to get other Alphas to join him in taking you out." They say.

"Thank you for letting me know. I'll be in touch soon." I say, before turning to head back inside.

They have given me a lot to think about. When I get to my room, I tell Elijah about what I've learned. Together, we make a plan to present to Elder Jason about bringing Typhon's pack members into my pack and to ensure that neither I, nor any members of our pack, are killed during Jara's claiming.