The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 4
Mason
When we arrive at the claiming territory, it’s a madhouse. The line to get in was ridiculous, made longer as we had to wait while a car in front of us was surrounded by an escort and taken away.
“Which one do you think that was?” Elijah asks beside me.
“The Alpha or the Beta, if I had to guess.”
We finally make our way through, getting the explanation that if we were to go into the sectioned off area for the females without prior approval, we will be shot on sight. The penalty, if you survived the silver bullet, is disqualification from this and all future claiming’s.
“They mean business. The security has never been like this before.”
“We’ve never had a claiming like this before, at least not in recent years.”
As we turn toward the main house, we can see the driveway to the females temporary housing. We’ve been given a map and the clearly identified ‘off- limits’ areas. I’m guessing that they are not only marked on the map, but also around their building as well.
When we get to the main house, we wait to get our parking spot, then we wait in line to check in. Housing is limited and rather than housing the females in the same building as some of the males, they have them in their own building and are doubling us up. Thankfully, Elijah and I are in the same room.
When we’re finally checked in, we grab out bags and get to our room. Tonight, we won’t see the contestants for this year’s claiming. However, starting tomorrow morning, I’ll get my first look at my future mate.
Once we’ve gotten settled in our room, Elijah and I agree to go back downstairs and begin to meet our competition. I know not everyone here is a ranked werewolf, so I’ll be interested to get a feel for the general energy of the wolves in attendance.
When we get downstairs, there is a buzz of excitement in the air. It’s magnifying as more wolves join the group. If the elders aren’t careful, this energy could get out of control very easily. There are too many of us and everyone wants to find their mate. Knowing they are within reach, only makes it that much more tantalizing.
As Elijah and I watch, a fight breaks out, the two fighters shifting. One is obviously a ranked wolf and the other an omega. Omegas are not built to handle this level of masculine energy and it’s possible that he mouthed off to the wrong wolf. The battle is over quickly as the ranked wolf snaps the neck of the omega, leaving him dead on the floor.
I check to make sure my omegas are all safe and notice that they are subtly moving toward me and Elijah. If this turns into an all-out battle, they are safest beside the two of us.
“Someone needs to get this shitshow under control before it becomes a melee of teeth and claws.” Elijah says just as someone walks in with an airhorn. The sound is loud to humans, it’s practically unbearable to shifters.
“The ceremony hasn’t even officially started, and we’ve already lost a wolf. I would suggest that you get yourselves under control, or you will find yourselves disqualified.” An older werewolf says, moving to the front of the room.
A couple of claimants snarl at this and the airhorn goes off, all of us clutching our ears.
“Make no mistake!” He says loudly and I feel his Alpha aura pushing off him to every claimant in the room. “I am in charge here, not you. This is my domain, and I will not have our females threatened in any way. If you cannot maintain composure during the competition, you will be disqualified and asked to leave the territory, by force if necessary.”
That gets everyone’s attention. The testosterone level doesn’t decrease, but everyone does a better job of holding themselves together for the rest of the evening.
Dinner is an interesting affair. Most of the packs sit together, but there are notable differences. Some packs obviously only allow ranked members to sit together, while others allow anyone to sit with them, including other packs. I fall into the latter category and that’s how I end up sitting with Alpha Seth.
He’s younger than both Elijah and I, at only twenty years old. But there’s something about him that I like. I can tell he’s intelligent and not the kind of Alpha that rules with fear like some of the others here. I knew his father, as Seth only became Alpha a couple of years ago. If he’s anything like his father.
He’ll be a good Alpha. That is, if he doesn’t go feral.
I see him taking inventory of his omegas around the room before coming and finding a seat at my table. When he sits, he looks at me.
“Alpha Mason, I hope it’s okay if I join you.”
“Alpha Seth, have a seat. I have to admit, I’m surprised that you’re not sitting with your pack members.”
He looks at me for a moment before turning to his food. “They all intend to try and claim my sister. While I understand their desire for a mate, I don’t appreciate it being Jara. It makes for a bit of unease, as you might imagine.”
“Understood. But you must know that everyone at this table also plans to try and claim your sister.”
His smile may be full of malice, but his eyes are full of pride. “You can try.”
I’m intrigued. “You think she’ll make it out unclaimed?”
He shrugs. “There’s a lot of testosterone in this room already. I figure most of you will do her job for her, killing each other off. All she has to do is wait you out and stay smart.” He leans in as he’s going to impart some sort of secret. “And believe me, my sister is very smart. Alpha.”
“You know that’s like adding fuel to the fire, right Alpha?” Elijah says to Seth. It’s like dropping a gauntlet and my wolf is ready to pick it up and accept the challenge. Wolves like a challenge, especially if it includes a hunt.
“It would be, if I didn’t have absolute faith in my sister’s ability.”
Elijah and I look at each other. I can feel the shift in my pack members. If she’s as good as Seth says, there’s no way my omegas will catch her, and my warriors will struggle as well. But now I want her even more. If she’s that strong, that intelligent, she’d be a perfect mate.
I’m about to see what other tidbits Seth is willing to drop about his sister, when I hear his vicious snarl. I turn, looking in the direction he is looking.
The entire room has gone silent as Alpha Typhon struts into the room.