The Claiming by Cooper Book 2
The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 51
Jara
I wake, feeling like something is wrong. There is a heaviness around my heart that I don’t understand. My head feels groggy. I can hear a beeping sound and the sounds of someone breathing close by me. The sharp scent of antiseptic and cleanser is mixed with the clean, fresh scent of a cool winter breeze. Mason.
I force my eyes open and see a stark white room around me. I frown, this isn’t my bedroom. I look around, trying to get my bearings and that’s when it all comes back to me. Typhon, the battle, Lewis dying in my arms, the blood, Elijah rushing me to the hospital. I had passed out before he even got me here.
I move to reach down to touch my stomach, realizing that Mason is holding my left hand. His head pops up when I pull away from him, my hands going to my much too flat stomach.
I feel the sob catch in my throat and I look at Mason sitting beside me. His eyes are bloodshot, and his face is streaked where he has obviously been crying. “She’s gone?” I ask, my voice cracking.
He nods, his own eyes filling with tears. He stands and wraps his arms around me, holding me while I sob. When I can finally collect myself, I pull back. Mason grabs some tissues and a glass of water.
“Typhon?” I ask, when I can finally talk again.
“Elijah and the pack tore him to shreds. He’s dead. And you may as well know, the Elders are too. Seth and I hunted them down and killed them last night.”
I should feel bad, or at least feel something about that, but I don’t. I don’t feel anything. I feel numb.
“And Lewis?” I ask, needing to know if he really did die for me.
“Gone.”
“Anyone else?” I ask.
“Some patrols. We’re going to have a ceremony in a couple of days.” He looks at me a moment and I realize, for the first time since I’ve known Mason, I don’t know what to say to him. I think he feels the same because he looks away from me. “I’ll go get the doctor. He’ll want to know that you’re awake.” I nod.
As soon as he leaves, I roll on my side and curl into a ball. I just want to go back to sleep. Go back to a place where this hasn’t happened, where I’m still pregnant and my little girl is still healthy and active inside me.
When the doctor comes in, I answer his questions and let him check me over. As soon as he’s done, I curl back into a ball, turned away from the door, from Mason, from the pack and from everything that happened.
Layan POV
I had spent the night in Jara’s hospital room with Hana and Nina. Eventually, Nina sent Hana to bed, reminding her that she has her own little one to care for. Personally, I thought it was more because Nina was afraid that if Jara woke and saw Hana’s pregnant belly, that it might cause her more pain than anything.
When Alpha Mason arrived, I left to give them some time alone. Even though Jara hasn’t woken yet, it’s only a matter of time.
When I walk out of the hospital room, I see that most of their pack is still here. They look up at me and I give them a ghost of a smile. “She’s still sleeping.” I tell him.
I turn to head to the packhouse. I’m exhausted, but I know I won’t get any sleep today. Alpha Davis is waiting for me.
“Layan, may I have a word?” He asks me, nodding his head in the direction of an empty hospital room.
I nod and follow him into the room. He closes the door and turns to me, his face grim.
“Layan. I need your help.”
“Of course, anything.” I say. Alpha Davis has been so good to me, letting me heal from the trauma of the claiming at my own pace. He never pushes.
I watch as he scrubs his hands over his face. “This sort of thing,” he gestures in the direction where Jara’s room is, “this kind of loss, it can trigger the pack into feral-fever. The entire pack, Layan. Do you understand what I’m saying? Jara and Mason’s depression and loss will be felt by the entire pack. Jara won’t be strong enough, emotionally, to stave off the feral-fever. Mason isn’t going to be aware enough to see that his pack members need him because he’ll devote all of his time and attention to Jara.”
He begins pacing as he’s talking, his hands going through his hair over and over, making it stand on end. “I’m going to stay and make sure the pack continues to run properly. I talked to Councilman Phillip and he agreed. Our pack isn’t yet ready for us to move back, so I’ll stay here as long as I’m needed. I want to know if I can count on you, Layan. I know it’s a lot to ask, and I know it may be hard on you, but we need to do everything we can to save their pack while they grieve.”
“What can I do?” I ask. I’m not a Luna, I’m not even a ranked member.
“Help me keep this pack running. You can make sure there is food at every meal. You can help me make sure the pack is eating and not pushing the food around on their plates. The omegas in the kitchens know you, and I think you are comfortable enough with them to guide them. You will have to take charge, Layan. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes Alpha, of course. I want to help. Jara has been there for me, and now it’s my turn to be there for her.”
“Good. I knew I could count on you. I asked Isabella if she could come spend some time here too. She can help keep the feral-fever away, but Layan? I think you can too. You’re stronger than you realize.” He says, giving me a soft smile.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help.” I say.
“Thank you.” He says, turning to the door. He puts his hand on the knob and turns back. “And Layan, if an Alpha catches you next year, I know you’ll make one hell of a Luna. I hope it’s our pack that is lucky enough to have you.” He says, before walking out the door.
I stare at the door as it closes behind him. Did Alpha Davis just say he wanted to claim me?