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.

in order to be considered a sustainable pack, you

look at Mason. “How

“Twenty-five.” He mouths back.

wonder why they are changing the requirement for the size of the packs. Is it to force them to take some of the ones that are now packless

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 proudly, as

of us, but one was injured under the Elders’ watch.” 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

about what happened to the omega, but this is not the

have been caught by my Tony. He’s a good man and a good Alpha. But what if I’d have been caught by an Alpha

responsible

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

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 may

my attention back to my friends. “Has anyone

she’s

looking at Mignon. “That sounds right.” Mignon turns to look

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

Asher.” She says, bat- ting her eyes at him and I swear I hear a low growl coming from

are you interested?” Antonio asks,

is Layan’s pack.” Mason looks at