The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 91
Jara
After saying goodbye to Hana and Seth, with plans to talk to Hana in a couple of days about her ideas for our petition, I head back inside, finding my mother.
She and I walk into the main living area in the packhouse. “It needs a woman’s touch.” She says to me, looking around.
I laugh. “That’s exactly what I told Mason.”
“What are you thinking?” She asks me.
I continue looking around the space, a*s*sessing it. “We need pictures. I’ll have to find out if we have any that we could blow up and put in here. If not, maybe dad can take some of the surrounding area while you’re here. It definitely needs some plants or something green to make it feel warmer…”
“And those lights.” My mother says, frowning at the bright, harsh lights in the room.
“Yes, the lights. Something warmer, softer, but still bright enough to use this room as a place to spend time together.”
As we’re talking, Mason and Elijah come up behind us. Mason immediately wraps his arms around me, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “I’m giving you Elijah to help with whatever you need.”
I turn and look at Elijah, giving him a mischievous grin be- fore rubbing my hands together in evil villain fashion.
“Alpha, I’m not sure I like that look in our Luna’s eyes.”
But Mason is looking at my mother. Since I got the look, from her, I can only imagine she looks just like I do.
“She’s not the only one you have to worry about.” And Elijah looks at my mother to see the same look. His eyes go wide and Mason leans down to my ear. “Don’t break my Beta.”
“He’s tough, Alpha. I’m sure he can handle it.” I say laughing. “And, actually, this works well because I was hoping to divide and conquer. I realized yesterday that Stella has no clue how to manage a kitchen, so I wanted to start looking at scheduling shifts, doing some meal planning and mixing up the meals that you seem to have on repeat here.”
“Thank the goddess.” Elijah says as some other pack members who were nearby and overheard begin clapping and hooting. Apparently, they are bored with the same meals that they get week after week.
When I had spoken to Stella, she had admitted that when she was an omega, she worked as a cleaner in the packhouse. She knew nothing of managing a kitchen or food service. She’s done the best she can, but she’s excited for the help and change.
I snicker before turning back to Mason. “So, technically, Elijah is a*s*signed to mom and I’m taking Stella and reorganizing the kitchens.”
He reaches into his pocket. “Who gets my credit card?” He asks.
“Me!” My mom says, snatching it out of his hand.
“That’s dangerous, Mason. Giving my mate your credit card.” Phillip says, coming over to join our group.
“Oh, you!” Nina says, swatting my father on his chest with the back of her hand. He grabs it, pulling it to him mouth and kissing it. She blushes and I turn back to Mason. He’s giving me a knowing look. I apparently blush just like my mother. Elijah begins shifting uncomfortably, being the only un- mated male in the group. “Okay, Mom, you’re in charge or redecorating the living area. Elijah, you’re with mom. I’ll find Stella and get started on the kitchen.”
“I’m right here.” Stella says coming over with her mate, Joe.
I send mom off with Elijah, knowing she’ll be coming back with a truck load of things to decorate the living area. I pull Stella into the kitchen and by dinner, we’re exhausted, but happy.
I made a new meal plan for the week and sent out a couple of omegas to get the food for tonight. Just before dinner, I walk into the living area to see how thing are going. I’m shocked to see that my mom has about 30 of my pack members working as she stands around directing them and pointing at where she wants things.
The first thing I notice is that they all seem relaxed and happy, the mood in the room is a lot of rowdy bantering. The second thing I notice is that every one of them goes out of their way to be close to my mother and is constantly looking for her approval. I had the same experience in the kitchens. It’s as if the pack is desperate for female interaction and acceptance.
As I watch, I also notice my mother puts her hands on the men as they pass her. Simple touches, like a hand on their back as she points to where she wants them to put something or a hand on their shoulder as she passes them. The impact her simple touches are having in huge.
That night at dinner, everyone cheers for the rotisserie chicken I decided to make. Apparently, they’ve been living on steak, pork and potatoes, for way too long. I had included a pasta salad, cole slaw and some slow cooked baked beans with brown sugar and bacon. The result was that they were eating, well, like a pack of wolves. Nothing is left over at the end of the night and the atmosphere in the room remains cheerful and festive.
“One day.” Mason says, shaking his head. “One day and you and your mother have already made such a huge impact on the pack. I knew you would, but I had no idea it would be so fast.” Mason says, sitting next to me, looking out at the rowdy laughter in the pack.
I have to admit, it’s a big difference from my first day where there was a lot of tense excitement. This feels like the emotions have calmed, but the happiness has increased. It’s a good feeling.
“It will get better. I’ve been watching my mother and making notes. I think it’s good that she’s here this week. It takes some of the pressure off of me and she’s a natural at it. I have a lot to learn.” I say, watching the pack members.
“I think you’re a natural too. She’s just been managing a pack longer than you have. She’s got years of experience being a Luna. You’ll get there, love.” Three days later the living area has become the new congregation area for the pack. Now there are usually 50 pack members in the room at any given time. Once my mother finished there, she started working on the other community areas, such as the dining room, bathroom and conference rooms.
I’ve continued to help Stella establish a process for man- aging the kitchens in a way that she can continue when I step out and move on to other duties.
I’m walking toward the conference room where my moth- er is currently working when several pack members step in front of me. “Luna, may we have a word?”
I look at them and I realize all ten of them are from Typhon’s pack. I’m not sure what Mason feels from me, but he’s instantly alert in my mind. “Jara, are you okay?”
“Yes.” I reply tentatively.
“Where are you?”
“Downstairs. I’m okay, Mason.”
I refocus on the men in front of me. “What’s this about?”
They all look at each other a moment before turning back.
“We want you to know that we’re very sorry about what happened to your sister. She was a good Luna.”
“She was kind to us.”
“We didn’t protect her like we should have. We should have done more.” “We want you to know that we won’t let you down. We’re glad to be away from Alpha Typhon.”
“Alpha Mason is a better Alpha than Alpha Typhon. We know he would never hurt you, but if anyone else tries to hurt you, we’ll protect you with our lives.”
“We wanted you to know this and we wanted to thank you for giving us a chance to a part of this pack.”
I’m about to respond when Mason comes around the corner walking fast, coming to stand behind me.
“What’s going on?” He says, his tone sharp, his aura strong.
They all bare their throats to him.
“It’s okay, Mason. They wanted to apologize for what happened to Mila, and to let me know they appreciate being given a chance to be a part of this pack.”