The Claiming by Cooper

Chapter 86 Jara Jara

When we get downstairs, we join my parents, Seth and Hana at our table. The atmosphere in the pack is excited. More excited than I have felt in my life. As I look around, I re- alize that Mason was right. Having a Luna will make all the dif- ference to the pack. It may not keep all of them from going feral, but it will keep them from going feral so young.

Having my mother as a Luna for so many years ensured that many of our pack members reached middle age before going feral. I can only hope that having Hana will make it even better. Later that night, I watch as the pack looks at Hana as if she is their savior and I guess in some ways, she is. They all happily accept her as their Luna and I watch as they crowd around her, wanting her aura to wash over them. I can see that Seth is struggling to have so many unmated males so close to his new mate, but from an outside perspective, it makes sense to me. It's Hana that will soothe their feral-fever. She will, quite literally, keep them sane.

Seth's pack is a bit smaller than Mason's, at around 150 pack members. The two packs together make up nearly one-third of the remaining population of werewolves. It makes me wonder if I can expect this same level of focus from Mason's pack-members when we arrive. I guess they are my pack

members now too.

After the pack congratulates her, Mason and I make our way up to them.

"You're going to be an amazing Luna, Hana." I tell her.

"I hope so. I don't want to let Seth or your parents down." She says, glancing over at Seth as he talks to Mason.

"You won't, for that very reason. This pack is strong, but you will make them stronger. I'm only now starting to realize the impact that we as Lunas have on our packs."

"There's almost a desperation in them to be accepted by me, isn't there?" She asks.

"Yes, I saw that too. It makes me wonder what I can ex- pect from Mason's pack members when we arrive tomorrow."

"It was a bit crazy when we got here yesterday. The entire pack came out to greet me. It was like they all wanted to touch me." She says, looking out over her pack.

She turns and looks at me. "You know how when we're in wolf form, omegas and pups come over and want to rub themselves on us, want to rub their heads under our necks showing their submission, their love?"

I nod.

"It felt like that, but with all of them. It was like they all wanted my acceptance, to show me their love all at once. Needless to say, Seth wasn't having it."

"It will take time I'm sure the first few weeks will be ex- hausting for you. My mom will help you though, so that's good."

"Oh my goddess, here I am complaining, but you won't even have a mother-in-law to help you." She says turning to

me.

"No, Mason's parents are gone. But his G*mma has a mate. I understand they are a bit older, and she was an omega before she mated a G*mma, but I'm sure she'll help me."

I look around the pack again. "Actually, I'm glad I was here to see how they are with you. It is preparing me for my arrival tomorrow. And this group had me here until a couple of months ago, so they shouldn't be as needy as Mason's pack. I'm guessing his pack members, my new pack, will want even more of my attention and show of love.

The party goes late into the night. At one point, Mason pulls me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me.

"Ready to do this again in a couple of days?" He asks me.

"Yes. I am definitely ready to start my life with you, our life together."

He looks out over the crowd of happy pack members. "You know, we haven't talked about it, but you've taken my knot a couple of times already." His hand comes to rub over my stomach.

"You could already be carrying my pup. But if you want to wait, we need to be more careful. It could already be too late, but we should have that discussion sooner rather than later."

I turn in his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. "What do you want?" I ask him.

"At the risk of sounding sexist, I want you popping out my pups every year for years to come."

I can't help it, I throw my head back and laugh. When I look back at Mason, his eyes are t*inkling with his happiness, his smile warm and inviting. "Well, what my Alpha wants, my Alpha gets." I say, my voice deep with my desire for this man.

His eyes darken and he leans in nuzzling my nose before nipping at it gently. "Then I think you should continue to take my knot as often as you can."

I turn my head, rubbing my nose against his cheek. "I defi- nitely think I need more practice, Alpha."

His low rumbling growl is all the answer I need. I stand up, taking his hand and leading him out of the party.

When I turn, I see my mother watching us, smiling happily.

I smile back at her, nodding to let her know that I'm going to be okay. I'm not Mila and Mason is nothing like Typhon.

That night, Mason and I make love several times, marking each other yet again, in our passion. I take his knot and as we lay connected together, I hope that I am carrying his pup and that very soon, we'll be able to start our own family.

The next morning, we get up and have breakfast with my family before leaving.

"When will you have your Luna ceremony, Jara?" Hana asks me. Her face is glowing as brightly as I expect mine is. My brother, never one to be possessive, has his arm across the back of her chair, watching over her protectively.

"Mason and I decided to have it soon, so we're thinking tomorrow." I say, looking at him.

He sets his fork down before looking at the group. "You are all invited to watch Jara take her oath to me and take her place as Luna to our pack. We'd be happy to have you." He says and I reach under the table, taking his hand, squeezing it.

My mother looks at my father. "We appreciate the invita- tion. We'd love to see our daughter take her rightful position as the Luna of the largest pack in the country." My father says.

"Excellent. I'll make sure to have a room made up for you." He says before turning to Seth.

Seth is looking at Hana. "I'd like to go. Jara has been there for me, and I'd like to be there for her."

Seth looks back at us. "Can you make that two rooms?"

"We'd be happy to. And, of course, you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like." He says, reaffirming to me and my par- ents that he won't keep me away from them.