The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 62
After Mason spotted me, I skipped through the trees before finding one that I could climb down. I found one of my scent trails and followed if for a while before climbing up another tree. The sounds of the hunt sounded all day, as did the sounds of death.
When I heard the first ones, I begin trying to find my way to where they were. If there were any that were still alive, maybe I could help them. I had to climb down from the trees to get to the spot where I heard the howls of pain. Then I had to climb up a rocky mountain face to get to the top. I smell it before I see them. Blood. Lots of blood.
When I get to the top, I can see that it’s two omegas. One of them has been in my social gatherings the entire time and one I just met a couple days ago because he had been in Hana’s social gathering. I had liked them both.
I sniff- the air, trying to make sure I’m alone, before going over to them and checking to see if they really are dead. I know in my heart they are. No one could survive the ma*s*sacre these two suffered, but I have to know for sure.
When I’ve convinced myself that there is nothing that can be done for them, I stand, looking around. One of my scent trails had led to the bottom of this cliff’ face, but not to the top. I turn, looking out and realize that from here, you can see far into the territory. The view is blocked by trees, but where they open up, you can see what’s going on below you.
I crouch, taking this opportunity to see if I recognize anyone, or to see if anyone has caught my trail here. I can’t stay long, my original scent trail will bring more here, but it’s a good place to take a moment to see where everyone is.
“I thought hearing the death of others might bring you to me.” I whip around, standing quickly to see a man walking out from behind some trees, covered in blood. I sniff the air and realize that he’s the one that killed these two omegas.
“You killed them? To get me to come to you?” I ask, horrified. I know that killing happens in the claiming. Mason and I have talked about it extensively, but not to specifically call to me.
“When you threatened us before you came in, I realized that was the best way to get to you. Kill some omegas, make sure they cry out in pain and then you’d come running. And you did. Now, be a good little girl and let me mark you.”
“If you think that you get to claim me just because we are standing in the same space, you are sorely mistaken. And if you think that killing innocent omegas to get to me was going to endear you to me, then you haven’t been paying attention.”
“I don’t need you to be endeared to me. I just need you to spread your legs and birth my babies. We can make this easy or hard. I prefer it rough, but if you walk over to me now, then I promise I’ll make it easy and gentle.”
What a f*uc*king prick. I can tell by his smell that he’s only a Gamma. A very arrogant, egotistical Gamma. He’s about to see what it means to take on an Alpha female.
I begin walking slowly toward him. “Wow, I didn’t think I’d be captured so quickly.” I say, trying to act as demure as possible. My wolf is snarling around in my head, ready to kill this guy.
“That’s because you’re a woman. Alpha or no, it’s best to leave the running and fighting to the men. Like I said, your job is to make babies. Lots of them.” He says, giving me a malicious smile that makes my stomach churn. Is this what it was like for Mila?
I stop, a*s*sessing the best way to kill this guy. He takes my hesitation as fear.
He crooks his finger at me. “Come to poppa.”
I smile, taking one more step before extending my claws and slamming them into his gut and chest. His eyes go wide in surprise, and he looks down at me. His mouth opening and closing but no words come out.
“Let me explain to you what it means to claim an Alpha female. We’re not omegas, easily killed. We’re strong, smart and fast. All three things that you seem to be lacking.” I pull my claws out of his stomach and slash them across his throat. I make sure not to slash too deep. Just deep enough that he will bleed out, dying slowly.
“I would have given you a quick death, but you don’t deserve it after what you did to those omegas.” I watch as he falls to the ground, holding his throat, trying to staunch the bleeding. Even if he gets his neck wounds to close, the other wounds will kill him.
I turn, looking back out over the territory; I can see some men and some wolves moving in this direction. Time for me to go. I need to be more careful in the future. This Gamma was lying in wait for me, and it was only his arrogance gave me the chance I needed to escape. If he hadn’t expected me to do what he said, if he had tackled me to the ground, I might have been marked by a man I would despise.
I look around and find another way down the cliff face. I check several times to make sure no one is around. When I finally get to the bottom, I sniff the air. There are scents of men and wolves all around me, but none in close proximity. I can only hope that the scent of the Gamma covers my scent. At least until I can get to the lake and wash it off.
I find one of the hiding spots as the sun starts to set. I was hoping that everyone would sleep through the night, hut it doesn’t work that way. I can tell that many of them will continue to hunt me as long as they can.
When it’s dark enough to use the shadows to cover me, I move toward the waterfall, where the sounds of my footsteps will he hidden by the sound of the water. I sniff the air and can smell that there are some wolves up in the cave. I move into the lake just m front of the waterfall so they can’t see or hear me.
I begin washing myself off when I hear the sound of someone running this way. I duck under the water, pushing my back against the back of the waterfall. There is just enough space for me to breath shallowly. I stand as still as possible until I hear the battle going on above me. The one that just came up is attacking those that were in the cave.
I hear first one splash, then another before I hear someone climbing back down the waterfall. I wait as long as I can before poking my head out from under the water. I quickly look around, making sure no one is here. When I’m sure they are gone, I step out, only to bump into something.
I slap my hand over my mouth before I can scream. When I look down, I see a dead body floating in the water. As I watch, horrified, another one comes and bumps into my hip. These look more like warriors, not omegas.
I grab them by their clothing and drag their bodies to the edge of the lake. I check them, already knowing they are dead before looking for the nearest tree. I need a place to hide quickly. I’m soaking wet and it’s cool enough outside that it’s going to be a miserable night for me.
I find a tree that I can climb and squeeze as much water as I can from my clothes. After climbing the first tree, I jump to several other trees, finding a limb large enough that I can lean against and sleep with little chance of falling off. If I do, there are other limbs below that will catch me. I might get scratched or bruised, but I won’t break anything.
That night, I sleep little and the sounds of the hunt and of killing continue all around me. As I drift asleep, I wonder where Mason is, and I hope that he’s alright.