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 enters the screen pushing

can feel my own tension

okay, 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

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

him.” Antonio says

type.” And she gives me a

you can gorgeous. Take care of my

I love you.” She says, blowing me a

as she pulls out of the screen.

hear her say as her voice gets farther away, making me

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

baby.” Seth

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 too.”

good time but come home

closes before he turns back to the video. He scrubs his hands over his face before turning to look at

here. I’ve never seen a she-wolf or any wolf look like she did when we walked in. She’s not my mate

at the screen. “I can’t thank you all enough for allowing your mates to come here and look after Layan. And, if

touching you.”

hope that’s okay…”

Jara. I mean it