The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 23 Mason

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.

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.

“That’s the mate I was hoping to see.” Seth says smiling, and the tension around his eyes also eases.

meant this mate.” Jara says and her beautiful face

I can

but I know what she’s going to say before she says it. I’m an Alpha too, so I understand. But I’ll still be glad to have her home.

man on the planet.” She says, winking at the

found him.” Antonio says

gives me a smoldering look that

can gorgeous. Take

you.” She says, blowing

as she pulls out of

possible!” I hear her say as her voice gets farther away, making me

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

for my loves, baby.” Seth says

says before standing and leaving the room.

for me to go too, Tony. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your mate and I love you

good time but come home

they leave, I see Asher watch to make sure the door closes before he turns back

poor girl would have lasted another week without them here. I’ve never seen a she-wolf or any wolf look like she did when we walked in. She’s not my mate or my pack member and I still felt a

for allowing your mates to come here and look

touching

I hope that’s okay…”

what my mother told Hana and Jara. I mean it more that I hope that