The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 52
Jara
After Alpha Antonio and Luna Annabel leave, I spend the rest of the day in social gatherings. The only ones that aren’t included are the ones in Hana’s claiming.
For those individuals, I will only have one day to get to know them before I enter the claiming territory.
That night, when Mason walks me back, I stare at the house where I’ll be sleeping. I’ m the only one left. While the house is still full of guards, there won’t be anyone for me to really spend time with. I decide to ask Elder Jason if Mason can sit with me in the evenings, so I’m not so alone.
The next morning, I join Elder Jason on the stage as the seventy-five claimants line up, ready to enter the claiming territory. I can see they are antsy, there is a nervous energy in the air, they are ready to enter the territory
As soon as the gun goes off, it starts. Unlike before, when every claimant ran into the territory, several of the claimants begin tearing into their competition. I see Seth turn as he’s running into the territory. He slows, as if he’s going to turn around and help. I leap off the stage, running toward the ones lying on the ground. I look at my brother.
“GO!” I shout, knowing he will have a target on his back, just like Mason. Hana has shown him the same favoritism that I’ve shown Mason. He turns, running into the territory just as I’m tackled to the ground.
“No, Jara. The claiming haze has started. They may try to claim you if you approach them.” It’s Mason, his strong arms wrapped around me, holding me in a steel cage of muscle.
“They’re k*illing them!” I shout, watching m horror as bloody bodies lie on the outskirts of the claiming territory.
When the last claimant heads into the claiming territory, Mason lets me go and I race to check the ones on the ground. There are at least fifteen of them. When I get to the first one, I put my hand over my mouth. He’s been slashed to pieces.
“Jara, let us handle this.” Mason says, coming up behind me.
I turn to him. “Is this what it’s going to be like when you enter my claim?” I know my eyes must show the horror I’m feeling. I had no idea it would start before they even entered the claiming territory.
I see his hesitancy, but I know he won’t lie to me. “Yes.”
I turn and look at the group that is standing by, having watched the ma*s*sacre unfold. “I was right, you’re all a bunch of savages!” I scream at them.
I turn back just as Elder Jason comes up with a medical team. “Let them through. Alpha Jara.”
I turn and see that he’s brought several members of the temporary pack hospital. I move aside and let them pass.
“This one’s gone.” I say as one stops to check the man at my feet. The medic looks at me before nodding and moving on.
I feel Mason come to stand behind me, his hands on my hips.
“Why?” I whisper.
“It’s life or death, Jara. Too many of us will go feral and die if we don’t claim one of you this year. There are a lot of wolves that will go down fighting, even if that means killing our own kind. It’s one of the things that I want to change about the claiming process.”
I turn, leaning into Mason’s chest, feeling him wrap his arms around me. I want to cry. I feel the tears stinging my eyes. These men, these wolves, only wanted a chance to find their mate, and now they are lying here, dead.
“This one’s alive!” One of the medics calls.
I pull out of Mason’s arms, rushing over to the bleeding man. The medic begins making tourniquets to stop the rush of blood from his legs and anus. While he does, I take the dying warrior’s face in my hands.
“Look at me.” I command him.
His glazed eyes turn in my direction. “What’s your name, warrior?”
“Barrett.” His voice is barely audible.
“Barrett, do you know who I am?”
“Alpha Jara.”
“That’s right. I command you to live, Barrett. Do you hear me? This medic will stop your bleeding and your wolf will heal you. Do you understand?”
He turns his head slightly to look at me. When he doesn’t respond, I try again. “You wouldn’t want to let me down, would you, Barrett?” I ask more gently.
“No, Alpha.”
“Good man. I’m right here. I’ll be here until you’re stronger and healing.”
I turn and see that the medic is stitching him up, the bleeding almost under control. “I need a stretcher!” He calls and I move out of the way as they put Barrett on the stretcher and begin moving quickly towards the pack hospital.
I turn as another medic calls that someone is alive. For the next hour, I command those still living to stay alive. I have no idea if it will work, or if their wolves are aware enough to respond to my wolf, but I have to try.
When the five that are still alive have been moved to the pack hospital, I turn to look at the bloody remains of those that didn’t even make it into the claiming territory. I look at Elder Jason.
“I want to give them a warrior’s send off. Tonight.”
“I’ll make it happen. You should get cleaned up.” I look down at my hands, covered in the blood of those I’ve tried to save.
“I’ll be at the hospital. I refuse to have any social gatherings today.”
“As you wish.” Elder Jason says to me, inclining his head.
I turn and begin walking toward the hospital. I’m going to check on the injured and stay with them just like I promised them I would.
When I get there, I find a washroom and wash the blood off my hands and arms. When the smell of blood doesn’t leave, I realize my clothes are soaked through with blood. I shrug. There’s nothing I can do. I’ m not leaving.
I asked around on the status of the five they brought in until I find someone who can answer my questions. I’ve just heard that the first one, Barrett, is about to come out of surgery, when I smell Mason.
I turn and see him walking through the doors. He looks a mess still. He walks up to me and hands me a bag. “I knew you needed clothes. These are mine, but they’ll due for now.” “Thank you.” I say, taking the bag from him.
“Have you heard anything?” He asks.
“Barrett, the first one they found alive is about to come out of surgery. The other four are still in.”
“Do you need anything?” He asks.
I look at him a long moment. “I need to know that won’t happen to you.”
Ignoring our disgusting clothes, he pulls me to him, kissing the top of my head. “I have no intention of dying. I have too much to live for.”
He pulls back looking at me. “I need to get back. I’m helping Elder Jason get everything prepared for tonight. I’ll have someone bring you some food.”
I nod. He starts to step back, but instead, takes my face in his hands and kisses my gently. I feel a single tear spill over and down my cheek. “Shhhh. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He says, wiping my tear away.
I nod again, not trusting my voice. “I love you, Jara. I’ll be back soon.”
“Be careful, Mason.”
“Yes, Alpha.” He says, making me smile briefly.
When he leaves, I turn to go check on Barrett, knowing I’m in for a long day. We all are.