The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 138

The Council Chapter 45 Jara

Jara

Later, after dinner, we sit and watch a movie. This time, her pack members don’t stay quite so far away, offering to bring us popcorn or refill our drinks. I’m happy to see that Layan doesn’t flinch or cower when they get closer to her. They are all trying to be very careful around her and it seems to be working.

Elijah and Lewis shift out before we’re done watching the movie, and my night guards come to stand watch over me.

While Layan still sits in between us, she doesn’t fall asleep against me. When the movie ends, she turns to me.

“Would it be okay if I slept with you again? I’m sleeping better, but my best sleep is when you’re here.”

“Absolutely.” I say.

“Am I invited too?” Hana asks.

“Of course.” Layan says, laughing. It’s good to hear her laughing again.

We get ready and crawl into bed. Layan asks us about our pregnancies, and we tell her all the things that we like and don’t like about it.

“Did you hear that Mignon felt her little one move?” Hana

asks.

“Already?” I ask.

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“Yes, I can’t wait for that. That will be so exciting.”

We talk until we all drift off to sleep.

Elijah POV

I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep when I’m awakened by a loud booming sound. My room and bed begin to shake violently and suddenly there is smoke pouring into the room. I jump out of bed, just remembering to grab my phone, before I race out of the room.

I don’t know if this is an attack from Gunnar, Typhon or someone else, but no one is hurting my Luna on my watch. Not only that, but I also know she’s with Layan. I won’t let that sweet girl get hurt. Not if I can help it.

I can hear the guards that were on duty pushing into Jara’s room. They are coughing as they exit the room, Jara asking what happened.

They’ve just gotten out of the bedroom when there’s another explosion. The roof starts to collapse around us. I rush to Jara, grabbing Layan in the process and pushing the two of them against the wall, using my body as a shield to keep the roof from collapsing on top of them.

As I’m standing there, pressed against them, I have a moment to remember that I’m buck naked, and I worry that I might trigger Layan. It can’t be helped. Protecting Jara and Layan is more important than putting clothes on.

I look at Jara, doing a quick inventory to make sure she’s not injured. “We have to move.” I say.

She nods and I push both of them in front of me, turning to

make sure that Hana’s guards have her safe. When we get to

the stairs, I see that they have collapsed. The floor below us is chaos. Alpha Davis is barking orders at his men, trying to put the fire out and trying to figure out who is attacking us, because that’s what this is, an attack.

“Alpha Davis!” I call, getting his attention. He looks up, realizing we’re trapped up here.

“Get a ladder!” He yells, coming over to look at us.

“Is everyone okay?” He asks.