The Claiming By Cooper

The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 12

Jara

When we return to the conference room after lunch, I feel better about our plan to take care of Layan. I know that she needs us, the four of us that were in the claiming with her.

Title of the document

But for now, I need to make sure that not only Layan, but every werewolf female is safe.

As we sit down, Elder Jason steps up to begin.

“As I mentioned earlier, we have two more petitions that seem to be in opposition to each other. The first was presented by Alpha Gunnar, the second was presented by the Lunas. We’ll start with Alpha Gunnar’s petition. It states that packs will have absolute oversight and control of their she-wolves, with the notable exception of their requirement to enter the claiming process after they reach the age of maturity.”

“What does that even mean?” I ask him.

“It means that I say what happens to the she-wolves in my pack.” Gunnar says, smirking at me and it’s a look that has the hair on the back of my neck going up.

“Meaning that you get to r*ap*e them because they are in your pack?” Hana asks.

“Meaning, that if their ‘mate’,” he uses air quotes, “can’t get her pregnant, then as their Alpha, it’s my duty to propagate the species and impregnate her.”

“You’re disgusting.” Annabel says.

“So, let me get this straight.” I say, standing up, because I want to make sure every Alpha in this room is paying attention and hears what I’m about to say. “After all your bullshit this morning about needing to be the strongest wolf to catch a she- wolf to ensure the continuation of the species, it sounds to me that if you STILL can’t get a mate, you’re basically going to steal the mates of those in your pack who beat you out, r*ap*e their she-wolves and then what? Give them back to their mates? Is that what I’m understanding?”

this. The claiming was put into place so the strongest survive. It may not be the best system, but

be like that.”

asks, coming

go extinct.” He says, his voice not nearly as strong as

against the decisions that would continue our species, keep us strong and build a better future for our species. And I believe you said, and I quote, ‘A woman’s job is to be a bed warmer for her mate and birth his young. Alpha or no, if you can’t do that, you’re pretty worthless.’ So, I’m guessing if your pack mate can’t get their ‘worthless’ mate pregnant, you’re going to

his teeth, not

it to a vote.”

Gunnar being the only one that voted

put

until tomorrow. “Do we need to break so that everyone can make arrangements to stay another night and not have their packs expect them until tomorrow?” Elder Jason asks. After unanimous agreement, we break to extend our stay, and let the pack know we won’t be

before we finally settle back into the conference room and Elder Jason takes his petition at the

was put forth by the Lunas with the support of their mates. The first item in the petition states, ‘She-wolves will have

what purpose?”

werewolves after all. We’re pack animals. There are so few of us and we’re spread out all over the country, so we don’t

to a vote.” Elder Jason

Alpha Gunnar against the change. Since he wanted total and complete domination over his she-wolves, I’m not surprised. “This petition will be put into law.” Elder

next item on the petition states,

Alpha Zaire whip their heads around to us, a slow smile spreading on Alpha Zaire’s

meddling in the birthing process. And what are they going to do during their pregnancy? Rub their feet?” Alpha Emmanuel

been pregnant?” Hana asks and I can tell by the tone in her voice that she’s about to put this Alpha in his place. I sit back to watch. “Of course, I haven’t, what kind of question is that?” He says,

had a menstrual cycle?”

your

snarls

like to birth a pup or lose a pup. And before any of you state the obvious, you are correct, I don’t either. But my body has the ability to do those things where yours doesn’t. I can be empathetic with a she-wolf that may lose her pup in a way that none of the Alphas in this room can. And there are several she-wolves who have given birth who could be a positive and caring support to those who are struggling with their pregnancies or even during childbirth. I would use my mother-in-law as an example. She does know what it’s like, and while she may not have lost a child while pregnant, she had a daughter that did, and she has lost a child. She is more uniquely qualified than