The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 113

And if the Elder Carson tries to stop us, we’ll have to challenge the Ilders.

The Council Chapter 20 Jara

Jara

For the next couple of days, I try to spend time with Brynn and Melinda, walking around the pack and getting her acquainted with the pack members.

I had asked her if she wanted to spar, and I could tell she was interested. “I don’t have anyone to watch Melinda while I spar.” She says.

“Hey Lewis.” I call.

“Yes, Luna.” He says, jogging over. I put my hand on his back, noting that the darkness is almost gone again.

“Could you do me a favor and watch Melinda while Brynn and I join the sparring for a few rounds.”

“I’d be happy to, Luna.” He says smiling and turning to Melinda, who seems perfectly happy to be left with Lewis.

“Thank you.” I turn and see that Brynn looks terrified.

“It’ll be okay. We’ll be right here.”

As we start to spar, I see several other males from our pack going over to Melinda, talking to her and interacting with her.

“Luna…” I turn, seeing Brynn watching, getting more and more anxious. I know she doesn’t understand, but maybe I can help with

that.

“Warriors!” I call out. Everyone stops and looks at me.

“Who is your priority to protect in this pack?”

“You, Luna.”

“And who is second?”

They all look at each other. “Well, it’s supposed to be Gamma Stella, and her son, Luna.”

“But…”

They turn and look at Melinda. “The young she-wolf should be our priority. She needs more protection than Gamma Stella or at least as much protection as our Gamma and her young pup.”

I turn and look at Brynn. She’s watching the men.

“You’re prioritizing my daughter’s safety over your Gamma’s?”

“Well, not exactly prioritizing. Gamma Stella and Jace, her son, are important as well, but we’re a large pack. We can protect all four of you at once, and still protect our Luna if needed.”

“And we would.”

“We’d give our lives for you and your daughter.”

“But you barely know us.” Brynn says softly.

Lewis looks at Melinda. “But she is our future. We all must protect our future. All of you are our future. Luna Jara keeps the feral- fever away, but we also hope that we’ll have more pups in our pack soon and more female pups means more opportunity for our werewolf population to continue.”

I watch as Brynn looks at them. “All of you feel this way?”

She gets a large chorus of “Absolutely”, “Yes”, and “Definitely” from the group of warriors.

Brynn finally begins to smile. She turns to me. “Would you tell Alpha Mason that I’m ready to join the pack?” She says and the warriors all cheer.