The Claiming

In a world ruled by primal instincts and ancient traditions, one young woman stands on the precipice of a fate she desperately wants to avoid. Jara, a soon-to-be eighteen-year-old werewolf, faces the dreaded Claiming, an annual ritual where eligible males compete for a mate. Haunted by her sister Mila's past abuse at the hands of a cruel mate, Jara's parents fought to shield her from this brutal tradition, but the elders have denied their pleas. Now, with 236 potential suitors, including 53 powerful Alphas, Jara's odds of escaping unscathed seem impossible. Her only hope lies in the bloody chaos of the Claiming itself, where Alphas might eliminate each other, leaving her unclaimed. Her father suggests fleeing, a tempting escape, but Jara refuses to abandon her brother Seth. As an Alpha himself, Seth's position would be forfeit if they ran. Bound by duty and love, Jara prepares for the Claiming, honing her skills in daily spars with Seth, knowing her survival depends on her strength and cunning. Meanwhile, Alpha Mason steels himself for the same brutal Claiming, but his focus is on winning the Alpha female. Year after year, since coming of age, he and his Beta, Elijah, have tried to take an Alpha female as their mate. With a dire shortage of eligible females, the stakes are higher than ever. The brutal contest threatens to drive unmated wolves feral, making Mason's victory crucial for the stability of his pack. But a shadow looms over the proceedings. Typhon, a notorious Alpha who murdered his previous mate, is also competing, raising fears and tensions to a fever pitch. Adding another layer of complexity, Typhon was once Jara's mate. Mason and Elijah have forged an alliance, but their ambition strains their bond, each knowing that if one claims the Alpha female, their partnership will be shattered, and the other will be driven to madness. As the Claiming draws near, Elijah informs Mason that the Beta Claiming pool holds a larger number of females. He intends to enter that lottery as well, but Mason remains solely focused on his Alpha female. With loyalties tested and ancient traditions challenged, will Jara find a way to escape the Claiming, or will she become another victim of its brutal game? And as Mason prepares for the fight of his life, can he overcome the dark presence of Typhon and secure the Alpha female, or will his ambition lead to his own destruction?