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?”

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 r*ap*ing their pack

like that.” Gunnar

Hana asks,

just saying, we have to ensure that our species doesn’t go extinct.” He says,

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

grits his teeth, not

take it to a vote.” Elder

vote was thirteen to one, Gunnar being the only one that voted for, his petition,

is the petition put forth by the Lunas. This petition contains seven

to break so that everyone can make arrangements to stay another night and not have their packs expect them until tomorrow?” Elder Jason asks.

back into the conference room and Elder Jason takes his petition at the front

support of their mates. The first item in the petition states, ‘She-wolves will have complete and unlimited access to each

purpose?”

animals. There are so 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 is the one

take it to a

one, with 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

item on the petition states, ‘She-wolves will a*s*sist with pregnancy and

see Alpha Saul and Alpha Zaire whip their heads around to

they going to do during their pregnancy? Rub their feet?” Alpha Emmanuel asks.

put this Alpha in his place. I sit back to watch. “Of course,

a menstrual cycle?”

is the point of your

Seth snarls

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