The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 35
Mason
It is announced at dinner that the contestants have agreed to a social gathering but only with a select few of us. Annabel only chose three claimants for her social gathering, while Hana and Jara both chose five each.
Elder Jason stated that the social gatherings would not be held in the main house this evening, as there were too many males that were not chosen, and he was not going to allow any more fighting and dying outside the claiming territory.
The three missing wolves from Layan’s claim had been found, torn to shreds. If Elder Jason didn’t believe us before, he did when he saw the remains of the three wolves the Alpha had killed.
“Tomorrow there will be an announcement for my verdict on the rest of this year’s claiming process. Tonight, if you were not selected for the social gathering, please feel free to relax, work, spar or go for a run. The thirteen of you that were selected for the social gathering will be meeting in the females’ housing area this evening. This does not mean that you have free rein over the place. If you are found wandering outside of your social gathering alone, you will be removed from the premises and your time with the contestant will be over for the evening.”
“What about the rest of us? When do we get our time with the females?” Someone asks behind me.
The Elder gives him a hard look. “As I mentioned earlier, my verdict will be announced tomorrow morning. The contestants have been informed and are in agreement with my decision. Once boundaries are re-established, social gatherings will be reinstated.”
“The thirteen selected, please join me up front.” Elijah and I stand, as does Seth. Hana selected both of them for her social gathering. One of my warriors and two of Seth’s warriors were selected for Jara’s social gathering, along with a Beta from another pack. I was the only Alpha selected for her social gathering.
I can’t help giving Typhon a smug smile as I pass him. I hear his low growl of frustration at consistently being overlooked for social gatherings. You should have taken better care of your mate, a*s*shole, then you wouldn’t even be here.
Elder Jason walks us outside where five guards are waiting to escort our group. “You have been hand-picked by the contestants for tonight’s social gathering. I suggest you take advantage of this gift that has been given to you. If any of you think that this is a chance for you to make a move, find a hidden way into the female’s housing or otherwise do anything that makes these contestants or their guards uncomfortable, you will be removed immediately and banned from all further social gatherings, possibly from the claiming itself.” He gives us all a hard look.
“Gentlemen, you have been warned. Enjoy your evening.”
The guards escort us to the females’ housing. It has been set up so that there are three rooms for meeting, but the main living space is open to all and looks more like a party than a social gathering. There are food and drinks set out and music playing in the background. The girls have made tonight special for us, their chosen few.
Without needing to say anything, we break off into our small groups, joining our females. We’re all in the main living room and the atmosphere is more relaxed than any so far. It’s nice to actually see what it could be like if I were to claim Jara. She is easily managing the conversation with those around her while still keeping an eye on Annabel. I’m guessing the main room was mostly for her, giving her a chance to feel comfortable before breaking off into a smaller room.
Jara’s laughter brings me back to our little group.
“Stop telling my secrets, Joshua.” She says, playfully smacking him on the chest with the back of her hand.
“Is it a secret, Alpha Jara, when everyone in our pack knows about it?” He replies, giving her a flirty smile.
Okay, I didn’t think through how this small gathering might make me feel this level of intense jealousy. 1 know I’ve been given more time with Jara than anyone, but this small group of males are my direct competition. These are the ones she is willing to have claim her. These are the males she currently favors.
“Let’s call it a pack secret, then.” She says, watching him over the rim of her glass as she takes a sip of her drink.
“My apologies, Alpha Jara, for telling your secrets.” He takes her hand and kisses it, his eyes never leaving hers.
The Beta, Luke, clears his throat. “If I may be so bold, Alpha Jara, how did we,” he gestures to the five of us, “get selected for this evening out of so many.”
She pulls her hand away from Joshua, turning her full attention to Luke. “Beta Luke, you and this small group are the only ones that have interested me enough to spend more time with you.” She looks at all of us.
“Every one of you has spoken to me as if I were a person, not a female to be claimed. Each of you, in our conversations, made me feel as if you see me for me, not as some trophy to win. If I am to be claimed, I want it to be by someone that wants to me, Jara, not me, the last female Alpha or even me, the contestant.” She turns her attention back to him.
“So that is why you are all here. You have piqued my interest enough that I want to get to know all of you better. And what better way to get to know each other than to spend a quiet evening together.”
“At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I wish we had more than an hour with you tonight, Alpha Jara.” The warrior from my pack says.
“Please, for tonight, all of you call me Jara. And tonight, you’re here as long as 1 choose for you to be. If we’re all having a good time, then we can stay and enjoy our time together for hours.”
“Really?” One of her pack’s warriors asks. I have to admit, I’m shocked too. We’ve only ever been given an hour during our social gatherings. To know that we have all night, even if 1 have to share her time and attention with four other males, is definitely the gift Elder Jason claimed it would be.
“Really. And I do hope that we all have an enjoyable time together. I would like to spend as much time as possible with you while you’ re here.”
She turns her attention to me. “Mason, are you comfortable that the other two females are settled and safe?”
She smiles at me. She caught me making sure everyone was comfortable. After the events with Layan, I couldn’t help myself. I needed to know that Hana and Annabel were okay with this social gathering. I noticed Seth and Antonio doing the same. It’s the Alpha in us. The need to protect and ensure our ‘pack’ is safe is not something we can deny. Tonight, my pack includes all three of the females here.
I give her a brilliant smile in return. “Yes, Jara. My a*s*sessment is that everyone is going to have a wonderful evening and even Annabel has relaxed and is enjoying her company.” The others in the group turn to look at where Annabel is laughing at something Alpha Antonio just said. He’s doing a good job of not being overbearing, but also taking a protective stance around her.
“Then we are in agreement. Relax and join our group, Mason.”
I incline my head at her and turn my attention fully to her and the group. The rest of the evening goes by quickly. The conversation is relaxed and fun. There is a lot of laughter, teasing and playful bantering. It feels like a party. No one oversteps, no one pushes too hard. We all just enjoy the time we’ve been given with Jara.
It’s early in the morning when she reluctantly says she needs to head to bed. Annabel fell asleep awhile ago, the three males sitting around her and just enjoying being close to her. Hana looks like she’s as tired as Jara and is saying goodnight to her group as well.
Jara walks us all outside to the gate. “Thank you all. I had a very nice evening with all of you.”
One by one, the males kiss her cheek. I desperately want to pull her into the type of kiss I usually give her, but now is not the time. So, to be different, instead of kissing her cheek, I take her hand. Leaning over I gently suck on her knuckle while keeping my eyes on hers. I watch them go dark, as my tongue grazes her knuckle. It’s the closest I can get to kissing her, and she seems to understand that.
“Goodnight, Mason.” She says breathily.
“Goodnight, Jara.” I say standing and turning.
Walking away from her has never been so hard.