The Claiming By Cooper

The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 23

Mason

Luke had contacted me to let me know that they had arrived safely. He had also let me know that Layan was in terrible shape, so I knew that I wouldn’t hear from Jara tonight. Her goal is to help Layan and that should be her focus. It doesn’t mean I don’t miss my mate or hate crawling into our bed alone that night.

Title of the document

The next morning, I wake and get ready for the day. Today is the first alliance meeting and it works well that Asher is with Alpha Davis. He will be there to gauge his reactions to what we want to discuss and having our mates in his pack.

This is a video call, and I have Elijah join me. Seth and I had talked about how we want to run these meetings. For now, one of us will take the lead, but eventually, we’d like everyone to take a turn facilitating the call and creating the agenda.

When the video feed begins to connect, I’m excited and antsy to speak with Asher to see how my mate is doing. I’m sure she’s fine, but it would make me feel better to see her. We didn’t plan for it, but a man can hope.

As soon as Asher and Davis connect, I don’t even have a second before Antonio is jumping in. “Asher, how are our mates.”

Suddenly, Annabel is looking over Davis’s shoulder.

“You mean this mate?” She asks coyly and I watch the tension ease from Antonio’s face. I notice that Annabel has both her hands on Davis’s shoulders. It could be coincidence, but I don’t think so.

Behind her, Hana leans over Davis’s other shoulder. I can see that she is also touching him as she leans over him. “Or did you mean this mate?” Hana asks.

mate I was hoping to see.” Seth says smiling, and the tension around his eyes also

Jara says and her

can feel my

at me meaningfully. I know she wanted to make sure I knew she was okay, but I know what she’s going to

just wanted to see the hottest man on the planet.”

him.” Antonio says

And she gives me a

can gorgeous. Take care

love you.” She says, blowing

more.” I say as she pulls

I know you all have work to do. Your baby and I love you, Seth.” Hana says

for my loves, baby.” Seth says

before

Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your mate and I love

time but come home soon.”

see Asher watch to make sure the door closes before he turns back to the video. He scrubs his hands over

without them here. I’ve never seen a she-wolf or

screen. “I can’t thank you all enough for allowing your mates to come here and look after Layan. And, if I’m being honest, it’s not just Layan. Having them here is helping the

noticed them touching you.”

I hope that’s