The Claiming by Cooper Book 2
The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 57
Jara
When we finally emerged from our room, I feel better. I still have sadness in my heart, but it’s healing and it’s time for me to start acting like the Luna that I am.
My first order of business was to call Mignon. I video call her, happy to see her face when she picks up. “Jara!”
“Hey Mignon. How are you. I hear you have a sweet little girl that I need to meet.”
Her smile widens and she looks over her shoulder. It looks like she’s in her bedroom. She turns back, narrowing her eyes at me.
“How are you? I wanted to come visit, but Mason didn’t think it was a good idea.”
“Mason was right, but I’m starting to feel better now. So, do I get to meet your little one?”
Her smile lights up her whole face. “Yes.”
She turns. “Ash, bring Gianna over so Jara can meet her.”
A moment later, I see Asher’s strong arms and inside of them is a small baby. The baby probably isn’t as small as she looks, but Asher is huge, and dwarfs his little girl.
“Hey Luna, how are you doing?” He asks me as he leans down.
“I’m good, Asher. Thank you. So, this little one is named Gianna?” I ask.
“Yes. Asher said since she looked like him that I could name her.” Mignon says, leaning her face against Asher’s arm, looking at her daughter with a look of total love and adoration.
“Yeah, no mistaking that light brown hair as yours.” I say to her. Mignon1 s hair is a rich dark brown and their daughter’s is the light curly brown of Asher’s.
“I think she got his green eyes too.” Mignon pouts.
“Then we’ll just have to have another one that looks like you, Baby Girl.” Asher says, kissing Mignon’s temple.
She blushes. “Okay.”
I chuckle. “I’ll set up a time soon so I can come see you and hold baby Gianna.” I tell them.
“We would love that.” Mignon says.
“It’s good to see you up and moving again, Luna.” Asher says.
“Thank you, Asher. Give that baby a kiss for me.”
“Will do.” They say and I end the call.
Immediately, I video dial Hana. As soon as the phone connects, I see Seth, but I hear Hana in the background.
“Hand me the phone, Seth.”
He looks at me on the phone. “She’s so pushy now that she’s a mother.” I chuckle. “How are you, sis?”
“I’m better, thanks.”
“Good, here, let me give you to Hana before she bursts something.” He says and the phone changes hands.
“Jara, how are you? I’ve been worried sick. After that one time we tried to visit, Mason told us to stay away. I’ve called him every day to check on you. It’s so good to hear from you.” She says and tears start falling down her cheeks. “Hana.” I hear my brother say patiently. I see his thumbs as he wipes her eyes and then see his face as he kisses the top of her head.
“Sorry. First it was pregnancy hormones, now it’s the rapid decline of hormones that has me on edge. But I really have been so worried about you.”
“Is Seth still there?” I ask.
I see Hana’s body shift. She must be on their bed, and he must have sat down beside her. “I’m here.” I tell them about Mila visiting Melinda in a dream.
“That’s so sweet.” Hana says and she’s crying again. I see Seth sigh before wrapping his arm around her.
“So that’s why I’m doing better and now I want to see my niece.” I tell her. She wipes her cheeks with one hand. “Well, she’s eating. She has her father’s appetite, that’s for sure.” I hear Seth chuckling in the background.
“But she looks just like you, love.” Seth says.
I see her smile. “Yeah, she does. Even down to that rim of gold around my eyes.” Her phone view flips, and I see my niece nursing at Hana’s b*reas*t.
“Aunt Jara, meet Taylor, your niece. She can’t wait to meet you.”
“Geez, if her hair was curly, she’d look just like Gianna.”
“Gianna’s eyes are green. Taylor’s are brown.” Hana clarifies.
“When do I get to meet my niece?” I ask.
The screen flips back to Hana. “How soon can you get here?” She asks me, smiling.
“Not for a couple of days at least. I’ve neglected my pack. I need to be here for them. Layan and Isabella have been great, and Brynn and Stella having been taking over my duties, but it’s my job, not theirs and I’m sure Isabella needs to get back to her own pack.”
Hana snickers. “Yeah, I’m sure they miss her terribly.” “You’re very naughty, love.” Seth says, nuzzling her ear. Hana, however, looks down.
“Oh, perfect timing. Here you go, daddy. Tay needs to burp.” She says, handing her daughter to Seth, who happily takes her, cooing at her. I force the smile to stay on my face. It’s hard because my heart is aching a bit, watching them interact with their baby, knowing mine should have been here soon too.
Mason walks into the room behind me. I can tell by the look on his face that he felt my pain and came to check on me. I turn back to Hana.
“I’ll let you know when I can come visit.”
“Make it soon. I miss my sister.” She says.
“Promise.” I tell her before saying goodbye and hanging up.
As soon as I do, Mason pulls me into his arms. “How are you doing?”
“Okay. That was hard, but it was also good. Both girls are really cute. Once things settle here, I’ll go visit them and meet our newest additions.”
“Yep, two more she-wolves to add to our numbers and one more on the way in a few weeks.”
“Will you join me for lunch?” Mason asks me.
“Yes. In the dining hall?” I ask, wanting to get a better feel for our pack members and needing to speak to Layan and Isabella.
“I think the pack would love that.”
Mason takes my hand and when we walk into the dining hall, the room goes silent. I step forward, needing to address the pack, but keeping hold of Mason’s hand for support.
“I know I disconnected from all of you. I’m sorry for that. I was
overwhelmed with my grief as I’m sure all of you have been as well. I’m better now and I’m here for you.”
“Excuse me, Luna?” One of our omegas says, looking around at the pack members in the room.
“Yes?”
“Ummm, well, we, the pack I mean, would like to show you something when you have a moment.”
“I have as much time as you need. When would you like to show me?” I ask. Almost as one, the entire pack stands up. I see Isabella and Layan across the room looking confused. I turn to Mason who looks equally confused.
The pack begins to exit through the back of the packhouse. Mason and I follow them to an area off to the side of the house, in a quiet part of the pack lands, clearly in view of mine and Mason’s bedroom window.
One of the warriors turns to me. “We wanted to memorialize your baby, Luna, Alpha. So, we made this place for her. A place where the pack can always remember her.”
They step aside and I can see that they’ve put together a small, but beautiful garden. It’s full of flowers and is surrounded by natural rocks and stones. In the middle is a plaque that says Always in our hearts.
There are benches so anyone can come and sit, enjoying the peacefulness of the area.
“It’s beautiful.” Mason says, his voice thick with emotion.
“Thank you, all of you. This is so special. Mason and I can’t thank you enough.” They all incline their heads to us, then begin heading back inside, giving us a moment to enjoy the peacefulness of this place that they created. Mason comes up behind me wrapping his arms around my waist, putting his chin on my shoulder and looking at what they did for us, for our daughter.
“We really do have the best pack, don’t we?” He asks.
“Without a doubt.” I say.