The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 2

The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 2

Jara

As Mason and I return to our seats, Elder Colton address- es the group. He’s the oldest of the Elders and since his mate passed away last year, he looks every bit his age.

Title of the document

“Good evening, everyone.” He says, raising his glass to the room. I look around and realize there are fewer Alphas that I expected. I know there are 20 packs in the country, so there should be 20 Alphas here at the meeting. However, I know that several Alphas are dead or missing, which makes me wonder about the others. There can’t be more than 15 packs represented here tonight.

“Welcome to this year’s Alpha meeting. We’re excited to have everyone here. As you all know, we have a lot to go over in the next couple of days. We lost several Alphas during this year’s claiming, and we have several packs with no leadership at all. We will need to evaluate the packs that still have leader- ship, officially verify the new Alphas that have been elected into their packs and discuss the

redistribution of packs for those with no leadership and for those who no longer have enough pack members to sustain their pack status.”

“How many pack members have no leadership?” One of the Alphas calls out. “There are nearly 300 pack members that will need to be a*s*similated into new packs.”

I look at Mason and his lips are pressed tightly together. This is a direct result of the claiming and all of the deaths that occurred during this year’s event. Three hundred. That could easily be why the number of Alphas here is so low.

has decided that in order to be considered a sustainable pack,

and I look at Mason. “How many were

“Twenty-five.” He mouths back.

to force them

since we just had our claiming, we will need to document the packs that now have a young, adult female. In this case, all four of our claimants became Lunas in their packs.” He says

I say loudly, irritated that they were just going to skim over what happened to Layan. “Yeah, imagine if another Alpha had been able to catch her, claim their mate and a*s*sist their pack. But, of course, no one thought about that, even though the issue was brought to the Elder in charge.” Hana

understand that you are upset about what happened to the omega, but this is not the

could have been any of us. I was lucky to have been caught by my Tony. He’s a good man and a good Alpha. But what if I’d have

How is it okay that an Alpha who was responsible for the death of his Luna

the Alphas. “All of you should be angry about that. The rules, as they stand today, limit your ability to claim a mate, giving Alphas who don’t deserve the chance or are too close to going feral the same opportunity as you. It’s only a matter of time before you go feral because of those

all of our announcements for the evening. En- joy your dinner and afterward, stay and socialize amongst each other.” Elder Colton says hurriedly, ending the conversation before sitting down. It

back to my friends. “Has anyone heard from Layan, or heard anything

what pack she’s from, do

she say she was from Ironclaw Pack?” Annabel asks, looking at Mignon. “That sounds right.” Mignon turns to look at her mate. “Asher, do you know who the Alpha

thinking of changing packs, love? You know you’re mine. You wear my mark.” Asher’s gaze is intense, and I recognize the blend of possessive and seductive

asking Asher.” She says, bat- ting her eyes at

you interested?” Antonio asks, looking

that is Layan’s pack.” Mason looks at