The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 88
Mason
While I love how excited my pack is to have Jara here, it’s making me antsy that they want to be so close to her. I know that will settle the longer she’s here, but we’re newly mated and after fighting so hard to get her, it’s hard to be comfortable with so many unmated males around her, even if they are my pack members.
After she kisses me in front of my pack, the echoes of their excitement in my ears, I feel better. She made a point to give them what they needed, her attention and touch and then she showed everyone that she belongs to me. It went a long way to soothing my unease.
When we walk inside the packhouse, I see her looking around, a*s*sessing the space. I’m very interested in knowing what she thinks but I want to let her digest it all first.
I lead her up the stairs to the third floor in the center of the packhouse. This is our space. The only rooms in this section of the house are mine, or ours. It overlooks the pool, the forest and the mountains in the distance. There are other third floor rooms, but they don’t connect. Elijah has a section of rooms on the right side of the house and Joe and Stella have a section of rooms on the third floor on the left side of the house. The second floor runs the entire length of the house, and our warriors and omegas live there.
The first floor has a living room for pack events, dining hall large enough to seat nearly 300 individuals, a huge kitchen that runs nearly non-stop every day, offices and conference rooms. In the back yard there is a large pool for relaxing and behind that is an area for training. Beyond that, you get into the forest and the mountain range. The pack lies on 100 acres of land, mostly in the mountains, so our wolves can get lots of exercise and have room to run.
We drop our things in our room. “Feel free to make this room yours. Obviously, it’s only been me since I became Alpha, and I want it to feel like home for you too.” I tell her.
She doesn’t say anything, just continues to a*s*sess. When she’s done, she turns back to me.
“Can you show me the rest of the packhouse?” She asks.
I take her through the levels, explaining everything to her and answering any questions she has as we go.
When we’re standing in the front entry way again, she turns to me. “Well, it could use a woman’s touch.” She says, hands on her hips.
I huge smile spreads across my face. “I was hoping you’d say that. After seeing what you have in Seth’s pack, I think our pack would respond well to something similar.”
“You’re giving me free rein?” She asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Absolutely. Put your mark on it, make it yours and make it homey for our pack.” I tell her, watching her closely.
She does a full turn, looking around the space again before nodding. “I think my mother needs to spend a week here, helping me make some changes.”
I shrug. “Whatever you want, love. I’m sure Stella would want to help, too.”
She throws herself into my arms, kissing me again. When she pulls back, she runs her fingers through my hair. “Man, did I hit the jackpot with you.”
I lean down, kissing her nose. “That feeling is definitely mutual. Now, let’s start planning a Luna ceremony. We only have one day.”
Jara calls her mother, telling her she’d like her to stay and help her bring ‘warmth’ to the packhouse. Her word, not mine. I could hear her mother squealing through the phone. Then Jara went to the kitchens to see what food we had. When she returned, she gives me a look.
“What?”
“Who’s been running that kitchen?”
“Joe, maybe Stella, I guess.”
“Can you mind link Stella to meet me in the kitchen then, please.”
“Sure.” I do and return to plans for getting a stage set up, music and an after party.
After seeing Seth’s pack’s excitement, I want to make this a grand event, one that everyone in the pack will remember the rest of their lives. It’s a true reason to celebrate.
That night, we fall into bed exhausted. The next morning, we’re up early, getting things set up. When Jara’s parents, Seth and Hana arrive, I felt like my pack was going to go into meltdown having three strong females in our packhouse. It’s something we’ve never had before, and it only adds to the already festive mood that is starting to build.
We put her parents in a room on our floor, knowing they’d be staying for a while and Seth and Hana on Elijah’s floor. As soon as they are settled, Hana and Jara’s mother, Nina, go into decorating mode. Apparently, what I thought was acceptable for a Luna ceremony wasn’t close to what they thought would be appropriate.
Later that afternoon, I’m getting ready, putting on one of several suits that I own. Jara told me she was wearing a black dress with white beaded design around the waist, so I’m going with a black suit and white button-down shirt to match her. When I step out of our walk-in closet, I stop, looking at the most beautiful woman in the world.
She turns, looking at me as she puts her large hoop earring in her ears.
“What?” She says, frowning at me.
“You, my Luna, take my breath away.”
She walks into my arms, her heels making her much closer to my height and puts her arms around my neck. “After tonight, there’s no going back.”
“There was no going back the moment I sank my canines into your neck, my love. You’re mine, and I’m yours and that’s all there is to it.”
She gives me a quick peck on the lips. “Don’t try giving me a real kiss, I’ll just have to reapply my lipstick and you’ll have to clean it off your lips.”
“It might be worth it.” I say, running my nose over the side of her throat, smelling her sweet cream scent.
She lifts her neck, giving me, full access and I go hard as a rock. I slide my tongue up the front of her throat. “How much time do we have?” I ask.
“Not enough.” She says breathily, still not pulling away from me.
“Later then, when I can hear every thought you’re having, we’ll start right here.” I say, gently nipping her throat.
“I can’t wait.” She says before lowering her head and looking at me, her pupils dark with desire.
Her dress is a one-shoulder dress, so rather than kissing her luscious lips, I reach down and kiss her bare shoulder.
“Soon.” I say, before pulling away.
“Not soon enough.” She says before turning, leaving the scent of sweet cream and nutmeg lingering in the air. I love that our room already smells like her.
I walk her downstairs, then leave her at the back door of the packhouse as I move to the stage. I have to admit, Hana and Nina did an amazing job of decorating. There are twinkling lights, flowers and other decorations that definitely add a warmth to the event.
When I walk on stage, I see that every member of our pack is here in attendance. I’ve even given the patrols an hour oft’ to be here. They are standing around the audience and the stage as guards, but I wanted everyone to be here for this special occasion.
When Jara begins walking down the center aisle, toward the stage, I can’t take my eyes off of her. It’s surreal to know that this amazing woman is mine and in just a few moments, she’ll officially be a member of my pack.
When she climbs onto the stage, I take her hand.
“Ready?”
“Ready.” She says confidently.