Chapter 36
The iming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Jara
The next morning, we all wake up a bitter than usual. Over breakfast, Annabel is chatting happily.
She had a really great timest night and Alpha Antonio had been given permission to cany her to her
bed, under the surveince of a guard. When he hadid her down and removed her shoes, she had
woken up and he had gently kissed her goodnight.
“It was my first kiss.” She says, her eyes zing over with the memory and her fingers touching her
lips.
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She refocuses on us. “Are their lips always so warm and soft?” She asks us.
“No.” Hana says and we both turn to look at her. I’ve only ever kissed Mason and his lips are always
warm and soft.
She grimaces at us. “Some warrior in my pack kissed me in school one day. His lips were cold and
cracked. It wasn’t a nice experience.” I watch as her eyes ze over. “But Seth’s lips are always warm
and soft.”
“Maybe it’s because they are Alpha’s? Mason’s are the same.” I say shyly.
We all get lost in our thoughts for a moment. “How do you think they will feel about getting re-
evaluated?” Annabel asks.
“If they don’t like it, I think Elder Jason will have them removed. He seems very intent on making sure
we’re safe. If they refuse, they’ll be out.” I say.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure Alpha Antonio will be willing to get re-evaluated so he can catch you, Annabel.”
Hana teases and Annabel blushes beautifully, making her blue eyes shine brightly.
After breakfast, we walk to the stage. Elder Jason asked us to join him while he announces to the
group what the next steps are. I’m wondering if he’s nning to surround the stage with guards and
when we arrive, I see that I’m right. Every avable guard is around the stage. We walk onto the stage
and our individual guardse to stand right behind us. Elder Jason isn’t taking any chances.
As I look out over the group, I make eye contact with the ones fromst night. They either smile, wink
or one blows a kiss. While I like them all, Alpha Mason is still at the top of my list.
1 feel a prickle at the back of my neck, and I look out over the crowd again. Alpha Typhon is staring at
me with hard eyes. He’s not happy aboutst night. I give my shoulders a slight shrug as if to say ‘too
bad’ before turning my attention back to Elder Jason who is walking up to the microphone.
“Good morning, gentlemen.’’ He turns and looks at us. “Good morning,dies.” A chorus of ‘good
mornings’ echoes over the crowd.
“As I mentioned yesterday, I have a couple of announcements this morning and my verdict for the
remaining contestants. First, the omega, Layan, has been sent home.” He stops and while no one
actively expresses anger at this, there is a lot of shifting in the crowd. One less female to im this
year.
When the chatter dies down, Elder Jason continues. “Second, every male imant will be
rea*s*sessed before entering the iming territory.”
This causes an immediate reaction. Many of the males begin activelyining, saying they’ve
already been a*s*sessed, calling this outrageous, and verbally refusing additional testing.
“QUIET!” Elder Jason bellows and the crowd quiets down.
“Anyone who refuses to submit to re-evaluation may leave the iming territory today. I will not require
you to be rea*s*sessed, but if you want to enter the iming territory to im one of this year’s
contestants, you will do so. That is your choice.” There is a lot of grumbling, but I see several males
nodding their head in agreement. Mason being one of them. He catches me watching him and he winks
at me again. I try to hide my smile at his flirtation.
“For anyone willing to submit to re-evaluation, those of you in Omega Annabel’s lottery will be
evaluated today. Once all of you are clear, Annabel will be scheduled to enter the iming territory. If,
for any reason, one of her imants does not pass their evaluation, you will be excluded from this
year’s events and another male will be pulled from the lottery.”
Elder Jason turns to look at us. “The iming territory will be thoroughly cleaned before you enter,
Annabel. I will be checking over the territory been washed clean.”
“Thank you, Elder.” Annabel says quietly. We all know what that means. All the blood from Layan and
the mutted wolves has to be washed away. Elder Jason seems to understand that if Annabel smells
what happened during Layan’s iming, she may be terrified and unable to proceed with her
iming.
He turns back to the group. “In addition to the a*s*sessments, social gatherings will begin again today,
but only for those that have been re-evaluated. Annabel will have a social gathering with her group this
evening. Those that choose to submit to evaluation from Beta Hana’s group will be allowed to attend
her social gatherings this evening as well. Alpha Jara will be allowed to choose the members of her
social gathering again this evening.’’ There is a lot of grumbling over this.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.
However, I’m excited. I want the same group asst night. Last night was the best time I’ve had since
I’ve been here.
“Tomorrow, we willplete the rea*s*sessment of Beta Hana’s lottery imants and begin
a*s*sessment of Alpha Jara’s imants. The a*s*sessors will be arriving in the next hour. If you are in
Annabel’s lottery, please step forward. The rest of you are dismissed for now. If you choose to exclude
yourself from re-evaluation, please pack your bags and leave the territory before lunch time.”
Only neen of Annabel’s imants step forward. Thest one walks away, conceivably to leave the
iming. I step down, looking for Seth, but find Mason.
“Why would they leave without being re-a*s*sessed?” I ask, seeing other imants debating.
“Have you ever seen the a*s*sessment process?”
“No, why?”
“It’s intense, especially for omegas and non-ranked members. It’s intrusive and it pushes you to ensure
you’re not on the verge of going feral. I understand why some would drop out. It can be grueling.”
“But you’re willing to do it again?”
He turns, giving me his full attention. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to im you, Jara. I thought
we’d established that already.”
“Thank you.” I say, quickly kissing his cheek before stepping back. There are too many prying eyes for
me to do more.
Before I can turn away, he grabs my hand. “Will I be seeing you again this evening?”
“You’re one of very few here that I would agree to iming me. I thought we had established that
already.” I say, repeating his words back to him.
He smiles, taking my hand, leaning over it and sucking on my knuckle like he didst night, his gaze
holding mine. I feel my body responding to his unspoken flirtation.
It isn’t long before he stands, his eyes still on mine. “d we’re on the same page.” He says, before
releasing my hand.
I know I’m blushing when I turn and run to catch up with Hana and Annabel.