The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Jara
Jara
Hana and I were finally able to get Layan calmed. She decided she didn’t want to go back to our house, but she asked if we would stay near her for the rest of the evening. I have every intention of complying with her request.
I go to find Elder Carson to let him know of the change of plans. If he wants Layan at dinner, then he needs to acquiesce. When I arrive at his door, I hear arguing.
“He was out of control. You need to re-evaluate him!”
“You are not in charge here, Alpha. He passed assessment, he stays.”
I hear a snarl before the door is ripped open and I come face to face with Mason. As soon as he sees me, his furious glare changes to a look of surprise.
“Jara?”
“I’m here to see Elder Carson.”
He steps back, and I realize that it was Mason who was arguing with Elder Carson. Interesting.
“Alpha Jara. Please, come in. I hope you were not injured during the unfortunate events of earlier.”
I hear Mason growl behind me.
“That will be all, Alpha Mason.” Elder Carson snaps, dismissing him.
I turn to look at him and he waits for me to nod before leaving and closing the door behind him.
“Elder Carson, the omega, Layan is shaken up because of the attack and the possessive treatment of the Alpha after her attack. She is willing to remain for dinner and the activities afterward, but she has requested that myself or Beta Hana be at her side all night.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, Alpha Jara. This time is meant to be spent with the claimants. She will need to spend time with the other claimants in her lottery during dinner and afterward.” The pompous as*hole says.
“And she will. As long as either myself or Hana are by her side.”
“Alpha Jara, you will have your own claimants taking your time as well Beta Hana. I’m afraid it’s not possible.”
I give my best fake smile to the Elder. “Fine. Then none of us will be attending tonight’s dinner or the festivities afterward. I will let you know tomorrow how Layan is feeling and if she’s still not comfortable being alone with her claimants, then we’ll cancel tomorrow night as well.”
I turn to leave. This a*shole Elder, like every other male, still thinks he holds the power. They still don’t seem to realize that we, the females, don’t need them. But they are desperate for us.
“Wait, Alpha Jara.” I can hear the nervousness in his voice. Yeah, I’d like to see you tell a room full of near-rutting males that you are the reason none of them get to spend time with us this evening.
I turn, looking at him. I will not give, not even a little on this one. Layan was terrified. I won’t allow it.
“Perhaps we can come to an agreement?”
“The only agreement we can come to is if you agree to my terms. I won’t negotiate on this. Layan is traumatized by one of her claimants. Allow this, or we’re leaving. It’s your choice, Elder.”
He doesn’t like it, it’s obvious in the way he clenches his jaw. It’s probably worse for him because I’m a female. As an Elder, he’s used to being in charge, giving the orders. But now, here I am, a female who has barely reached adulthood challenging him and forcing his hand.
“Fine.” He finally gives.
“Thank you, Elder Carson.” I say as I leave the room.
Mason is waiting for me outside. “Hey.”
“Hello, Mason. Are you waiting for me?”
He smiles. “Yes. Elder Carson was a pr*ck to me, I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t to you.”
I snicker, leaning against the wall to talk to Mason. “I have a more leverage than you do.”
“No doubt.” He says, reaching out to tuck a stray hair behind my
ear.
“So what did you ask for?” He asks me, his voice low, his eyes intent on mine. There’s something about his voice that makes my body want to arch for him.
“I told him that Layan wanted either me or Hana with her all night. At first he refused, but I convinced him that it was in his best interest to agree.”
“Is that so?” He says, moving closer to me.
“Yes.” My voice sounds breathy, even to me.
“You’re a very good Alpha, Jara. You’ll make an exceptional Luna.”
He’s still moving closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I want to kiss you, Jara.”
He moves in closer, his face a hair’s breadth from mine. “Tell me I can kiss you.”
Here’s the thing. I’ve never been kissed. When you’re an Alpha, one of the very last females of your species, you don’t put yourself in situations where you can get kissed. That’s how you get forcibly marked. At least I had never been in that sort of position until I came to my claiming. I’m certainly in that position now.
I look at his lips, then back up to his eyes before nodding my head.
That’s all it takes, and his warm, soft lips are moving against mine. His musky, masculine scent overwhelms me and before I know what’s happening, his arms are around me, holding me to him and I’m moaning softly at his gentle assault on my mouth.
His tongue slides against my lips and my eyes fly open. I look at his closed eyes, his dark lashes falling over his cheeks before I relax back into his embrace, letting my eyes fall shut and giving him control of this moment. When his tongue swipes my lips a second time, I open them slightly and he slides his tongue into my mouth. I’m not sure what to do, so I follow his lead and when his tongue begins dancing with mine, I follow the steps of his dance.
When he finally pulls away, he nuzzles my nose with his. “You taste just as delicious as I knew you would.” He says, before kissing my nose, and leaning back to look at me.
“Thank you for letting me kiss you.”
Dividing into pages now.
I suddenly feel terribly shy and a bit dazed. “Thank you.” I say.
He takes my hand, leading me back into the group. It doesn’t go unnoticed by the others that we’re not only holding hands, but we are returning together after being alone. I wouldn’t think anything of it, except for that kiss. The kiss that still has my lips tingling.
I pull my hand out of his and rush to Layan and Hana. “Elder Carson agreed. You can stay with either me or Hana throughout the evening, Layan. We’ll take turns because Elder Carson wants you to still spend time with the claimants in your lottery. But Hana and I have to spend time with ours as well.”
Hana looks at me. “He agreed?”
“I told him he could agree, or we’d all be going back to our house for the rest of the evening.”
She snickers at me. “I like you more and more.”
I smile at her. “The feeling is mutual.”