The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 10: Mason

Mason

“Moving on to the fourth statement in the petition, ‘Males will identify which claims they choose to be in. Females will use social gatherings with interested males to choose their own lottery of claimants’.”

Alpha Gunnar snorts. “Now you’re letting the females choose who they want in their claims? What kind of bullshit is this?”

“This is the kind of bullshit that keeps things like what happened to Layan from happening again.” Jara says, snarling at Gunnar. “She would never have chosen that Alpha for her claim.”

“That Alpha was feral. We all agreed that assessments should be done closer to the claiming process. Why should females get a say in who catches them?” He snarls right back.

“Being forced into a mate bond that we don’t want, won’t make us more fertile and it won’t make us want to reproduce. It may be easy for you to be a two-pump chump and your part is done. For us, as she-wolves, there is more involved.” Hana jumps in.

“What are you saying, Luna? That if the she-wolves can choose males that they have developed an attachment to, or a liking for, that if they are claimed by that male, they are likely to reproduce more quickly and more frequently?”

“That’s exactly what she’s saying.” Mignon says, standing and looking at Asher. He smiles, nodding at her.

She turns back to the room. “I am already pregnant, and I’m far enough along that we already know I’m having a girl.” There is a collective suction of breath in the room. It’s been years since a

she-wolf got pregnant this quickly coming out of a claim.

“I knew I wanted my Asher before I went into the claiming territory. Of all the males in my claim, he was the one I wanted to catch me.” She says, giving Asher a look I know well. I see it when Jara looks at me, it’s a look of love and adoration.

She turns back to the room. “I didn’t have a chance to meet any of the others, only those in my lottery, but he was the only one for me and I know that’s why I am already carrying his pup.” She says bravely

a fluke.” Alpha Gunnar says, dismissing her. Asher snarls at him, pulling Mignon into

it’s not.” Hana says standing up. She gives Jara a look of apology before continuing. “Seth and I just found out this morning that I’m carrying his pup. It was the same for me, even though there were more males in my claiming, and there were ones that I would have accepted

mates, and they love us and treat us well. It opens us to being willing to reproduce and gives us a strong desire to carry our mate’ s pups.” She says before returning to her seat, only to be pulled into Seth’s lap. He runs his nose up her

that’s the case, then Annabel should also be pregnant.” Alpha

on me. A situation that has now been rectified.” Antonio

says, turning his sneer toward my mate.

moron.” I say,

more than once. The

turning his snarl on me. I just sit back giving him a smug smile of my own. I wasn’t going to tell this room of Alphas about my intimate time with Jara, but if she wants the world to know

of the other Alphas in the room looking thoughtful over what they’ve heard and learned from our Lunas. It isn’t something that has been discussed before and obviously in situations where Mila was mated to Typhon, things didn’t work well.

a vote.” Elder Jason

surprisingly, the vote is ten to four. The only four against the change are Gunnar and his minions.

females to choose the claimants in their lottery will be put into

the petition states, ‘Females will be given a supply of food when entering the

what is the point

now

at each of

חו

starved in my claiming.” Mignon says, and Asher pulls her

like you can. It will give our location away and we’ll be captured very quickly.” Annabel

terrible?” Gunnar asks sarcastically

you are worthy of catching a mate, one would think that you wouldn’t want to have your mate so easily captured. However, I guess when we all realize that you have yet to beat out

hear some muffled chuckles and snorts at her words. Gunnar’s face goes bright red with anger, embarrassment, and frustration.