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?”

they do not agree with this. The claiming was put into place so the strongest survive. It may not be the best system, but it’s certainly a better option than Alphas sitting back and

wouldn’t be like that.”

be?” Hana asks, coming to stand

to ensure that our species doesn’t go extinct.” He says, his voice not nearly as strong as it

her mate and birth his young. Alpha or no, if you

his

a vote.” Elder Jason

Gunnar being the only one that voted for, his petition, thank goodness. Maybe there’s

docket today is the petition put forth by

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.

the conference room and Elder Jason

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

purpose?” Alpha

few of us and we’re spread out all over the country, so we don’t even know each other. We want to change that.” Hana says. Since she’s taking lead on this petition, she

to a vote.”

thirteen to one, with Alpha Gunnar against the change. Since he wanted total and complete

petition states, ‘She-wolves will

Alpha Saul and Alpha Zaire whip their heads around to us, a slow smile

in the birthing process. And what are they going to do during their pregnancy?

and I can tell by the tone in her voice that she’s about to put this Alpha

had a

of your questions, young

snarls right

You don’t know what it feels 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.