The Claiming by Cooper

Layan’s Return Chapter 4: Jara

“Or me.” Antonio says, nuzzling Annabel who is already in his lap.

“We understand, Jara.” Seth says.

“Okay, let’s get down to business.” Councilman Jason says.

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“We’ve brought all of you here today to discuss our research findings. In order to give you the full results

and answer any questions you have, I’ve asked our scientist, Dr. Braxton, to join the call today.”

We see an older gentleman, wearing glasses enter the video screen. I wonder if he wears them to make

himself look more distinguished, since, as werewolves, we have advanced eyesight. Or perhaps,

because he’s always looking through a microscope, the glasses give him an advantage and he’s just

accustomed to wearing them.

“Good afternoon, everyone. As Councilman Jason said, my name is Braxton. I have studied human

biology, veterinary medicine, zoology and more recently I have focused my studies on virology and

genetics.”

“Uh, for those of us that aren’t doctors, can you put that in plain language.” Quinton says.

He smiles, looking into the camera. “Ever since my father died from feral- fever over twenty years ago,

I’ve been studying every possible science to figure out why he and therefore, our kind, are going extinct.”

“Virology is the study of viruses. Once we realized that feral-feve mirrored the canine versions of the

rabies and distemper viruses, vegan my intensified studies, to see what I could discover about our

separate, but similar virus.”

“So, I’m guessing you’re here today because you found something.” Luke

says.

“That is correct, Alpha. And what I found is extraordinary. Let me preface, I will need to do more

research, but this is an amazing find.”

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“Out with it, doe! What did you find?” Antonio asks.

“The blood and saliva samples that we took from each of the Lunas caused a complete reversal and

eradication of the virus that was previously rampant in the dead Alpha’s tissue.

“Eradication?” Davis asks.

“Yes, no matter which female’s sample we used, the virus was suppressed, killed for all intents and

purposes.”

We all sit in silence for a moment. “Our blood kills feral-fever?” I ask. I’m in shock. I knew we, as females

could help, but to actually kill the virus?

“Not just your blood, Luna, but also your saliva. It appears that you, all of you, are the vaccination to the

virus.” He says.

“How?” Hana asks.

“That is where I will need to do more research. It hasn’t always been this way. so I’m not sure if it is some

sort of natural evolution to protect our species, or something else entirely. But I would say, that spending

time with your packs will keep them from getting the feral-fever.” He says.

Again, we all sit in stunned silence. Then another thought occurs to me.

“But, the vaccination, as you call it, isn’t permanent, is it? When my sister died, her pack began to go

feral very quickly, almost as if every virus she had pushed off came rushing back.” I say.

“That is true and something we still need to research further. And, as with all viruses, they mutate.

Because the tissue I’m working with is dead tissue, I can’t know for sure, but there was another

interesting find in my research. The cells I found in some of the older she-wolves, Lunas Nina, Gia and

Tessa and Miss Isabella were different than the ones that I found in the younger Lunas. It’s almost as if

your bodies are responding to the virus’s mutation by mutating your immunity in kind.”

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“This is a lot to take in, doctor.” Mason says beside me.

“It is. And, as I said, I have much more work to do. But these are very exciting discoveries. And they

bode well for the future of our species.”

“So, what are the next steps.” Jason asks.

“We have more tissue samples from the dead Alpha. I’d like to see if I can get saliva and blood samples

from some of the other she-wolves, those in different ranks. My research did not show a difference in the

impact of the vaccination process with the samples I had, but every one of you is a Luna with the

exception of Miss Isabella who comes from an Alpha line. I would also like to take samples from all of the

mated Alphas. I would expect to see that your resistance to the virus is higher than normal. given that

your mates have marked you. However, that wasn’t the case with Alpha Typhon, and I’d like to try and

figure out if that was because his mate died, or if it was for some other reason that the feral-fever took

him.”

“So, a whole lot more work to do?” Seth says.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Well, Dr. Braxton, I appreciate all of your hard work on this. Anything that you can tell us that will help

our species from dying off would be helpful.” My father says.

“I agree.” He stops for a moment before looking at the camera.

“I know that this will not be a popular idea, but all of you recently ad female children…” He is cut off by

four savage snarls, the one beside me making me jump.

“NO!” They all say.

The doctor raises his hands. “I only meant to take a saliva sample, no blood. This vaccine or whatever

we want to call it, seems to be airborne. If your daughters also show signs of carrying an immunity to

feral-fever,

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and therefore possess the vaccination, then it would be good information to have. I would also be

interested to know if their cells look different than their mothers’. This would be another way to show that

we are evolving in a way to protect our species.”

“Well, my children aren’t born yet, so you can’t get saliva from them.” Mason says, huffing. I reach out to

touch him, helping to calm him.

“Saliva only.” Seth growls.

“Same.” Antonio’s deathly glare shows on screen.

“Same.” Asher’s face pops on screen, showing the same threatening glare.

“Very well. I will make plans to visit the packs and obtain those samples. Alpha Mason, Luna Jara, with

your permission, I will speak to your pack doctor. He can collect those samples when your children are

born. Since this is the first set of twins to be born in three generations, I would like to test the saliva of

your son as well. It would be interesting to see if his cells look different than yours, Alpha Mason.”

“Saliva. Only.” He says through gritted teeth, glaring at the doctor.

“Yes, Alpha. Thank you all for your time today. As soon as I have more

information, I’ll let the council know and we can reconvene to discuss the next round of results.”

“Thank you everyone.”

We disconnect and I turn to look at Mason, smiling at him.

“What?” He grumbles.

“I love how protective you are of our little ones.”

“No one hurts my pups.” He says in his menacing tone.

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Layan’s Return Chapter 4 Jara

I smile at him. Goddess, I love this man.