Chapter 146


    The iming by Cooper Book 2


    The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)


    Jara


    The doctor released me the day after I woke up. I haven’t spoken unless someone asks me a question.


    I feel so numb that all I want to do is sleep.


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    Mason helps me get up and get dressed. When we step out of the room, the waiting room is full of our


    pack members. I can feel their need to be close to me, tofort me and to beforted by me. But


    I’m empty. I have nothing to give to them, so rather than saying anything, I walk past them toward the


    packhouse.


    “It’s lunchtime, Jara. Did you want to eat?” Mason asks.


    I shake my head and turn toward our bedroom, climbing the stairs, and walking to our room. When I get


    there, I kick off my shoes and crawl into bed, pulling the nkets over my head.


    I don’t know how long Iy there, but I wake to quiet voices talking outside the door.


    The door opens. “Layan, just leave her be.”


    “I don’t think so, Alpha.”


    A momentter, the nkets are ripped off me. “Okay Jara, time to get in the bath. You smell.”


    “Leave me alone, Layan.”


    She leans over me in the bed, putting her hands on either side of my face, her face so close I can feel


    her breath. “Not a chance.”


    “I agree.” I hear and looking past Layan I see Isabe. “If Layan isn’t strong enough to carry you to the


    bathtub, I know that I am.” She says,ing to sit on the other side of the tub.


    “I’ll go get the water running.” Layan says, leaving me with Isabe.


    She begins stroking my hair, not saying anything. I can feel the tears welling in my eyes before they


    begin to spill over. She lets me cry, stroking my hair until Layanes back out.


    “All right then, time to get into the tub.”


    “I don’t want to.” I say, really just wanting toy here.


    “I know.” Isabe says, taking my face in her hands. “But you’re a Luna. You don’t get to wither away


    and die.”


    “And I’m your friend, I won’t be letting you die, especially when you smell so foul.” Layan says,ing


    up behind me. I guess I still have some of the blood and saliva from the battle on me.


    Before I know what’s happening, Isabe has scooped me up and is carrying me to the bathtub. She


    sets me on my feet and Layan begins undressing me. As soon as she’s done, Isabe puts me in the


    tub. The warm water feels soothing against my sore body. I hadn’t even realized that my body was so


    sore.


    Iy there and, in a moment, I feel warm water running through my hair. Layan returns with body wash


    and a washcloth and begins washing my body while Isabe washes my hair.


    “I was thinking,” Layan says, not looking up as she washes me, “that after the funerals tonight, we will


    need a movie night.”


    I look at her. The funerals are today. I can’t go, I can’t. I begin to panic.


    “Movie night? What is this about?” Isabe says.


    “Well, it’s kind of a tradition. When I was… healing, Jara, Hana, Annabel and Mignon all came to visit


    me. We had pizza, popcorn, sodas and watched movies. It was something we started during the


    iming, since there were so many of us this past year and they kept up the tradition. I think we should


    continue it.”


    “It sounds like a wonderful idea to me.” Isabe says behind me.


    I shake my head. “I’m sure you both have more important things to do than sitting with me watching


    movies.” I say to them.


    Layan’s gentle handes to my face, turning it to look at her. “You are my friend, Jara. There is


    nothing more important than you right now.” Her eyes are so earnest that I can’t deny that she means


    what she’s saying. I nod.


    “Good, that’s settled. The harder part will be the funeral.” Layan says, looking at me.


    “I can’t.” I whisper.


    “Jara, listen to me. I know you are feeling raw right now, probably empty, like you have nothing to give


    the pack. But as your friend, I know that if you aren’t there to send Lewis off to the Moon Goddess, you


    will never forgive yourself.”


    I feel my lips quiver. I know she’s right, but I don’t know how I can ever get through the funeral.


    “I will be by your side the entire time.” She says to me quietly.


    “As will I.” Isabe says as she washes my hair. “We won’t leave you Jara. Remember, you are the


    catalyst that started this support system. You are not alone, and you are not required to always be the


    strong one. Let us be your strength right now. We will support you and hold you up for as long as you


    need us.” She says.


    “Thank you.” I say.


    When they are done, they help me out of the bathtub. I have a moment to realize that this must have


    been what it was like for Layan that first time she saw us. We all rallied around her,forting her and


    supporting her.


    I pull her into a tight hug. “Thank you.” I say again.


    “It’s what friends do. You and our friends taught me that, Jara.” She says, hugging me back. I feel


    Isabe wrap her arms around both of us.


    “And now, hopefully, I’m part of the circle of friendship too.” Isabe says.


    Layan looks up at her. “Definitely.”


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    They help me get dressed and Masones in to get ready too. “Are you ready, Jara?”


    I nod. “Layan and Isabe areing with me.” I tell him, feeling like they are the life preserver that is


    keeping me afloat in my sea of grief.


    “Of course.” He says and they wrap their arms around me as we move to the back of the packhouse,


    Mason following behind us.


    I realize that Seth is leading the funeral services, saying words of goodbye and of the good that our


    pack members did during their short lives. I can feel Mason’s pain, but I shut it out. I have too much of


    my own and feeling his would incapacitate me.


    As they light the pyres of our dead, I send up a silent prayer to Lewis thanking him for saving my life


    and giving his life for mine. Layan was right, I would never have forgiven myself if I wasn’t here tonight.


    When it’s done, I sway, the overwhelming grief of the pack too much to bear. I feel Mason’s hands on


    my hips before he pulls away and lets Layan and Isabe guide me back to the packhouse.


    Layan guides me to her room where there is a recliner couch and a tv already set up. Isabe chooses


    someedy while Layan sits me on the couch beside her. She grabs a nket wrapping it around


    me and after Isabe starts the movie, shees to sit on the other side of me, sandwiching me


    between them. There is no grief, no sadness from them, only love filtering to me.


    It’s a relief and it doesn’t take long before I fall asleep in Layan’s arms, so simr to the first night that I


    saw her after the iming when she fell asleep in my arms.