The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 36 Mason

Mason

Quinton’s tracker, Ira, arrived the next day. I went with him to show him where we’d found Typhon’s trail and his den. He began tracking Typhon but even I could tell something was wrong. After a day, we called it and headed back to the pack.

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I’ve never seen or smelled anything like it. It’s like he’s all over the place, doubling back on himself, crossing his lines. I’d say it’s to throw someone like me off this trail, but there’s nothing organized about it. It’s chaotic, disjointed. I’m happy to continue trying, if you’d like. I’ve never had someone evade me before, so honestly, I’m a bit offended that this guy is doing such good job of it.” He told me.

“When you say it’s chaotic, what do you mean?” I ask.

“It’s just….like it’s not intentional. Like he can’t figure out where he wants to go.” He sighs, running his hands through his hair. “I know that doesn’t make any sense.” He says.

“Actually, it might. Elder Jason is arriving tomorrow, and I’ve asked him to pull information on feral-fever and the claiming haze. I’m wondering if Typhon hasn’t fallen victim to both of them.”

Ira frowns. “But shouldn’t he have come out of the claiming haze by now?”

“He should have, but what if it mixed with his feral-fever?” Now it’s my turn to run my fingers through my hair in frustration. “I honestly don’t know the answer, I’m guessing here too. But his behavior isn’ t normal, and he seems almost fixated on Jara.”

“Like I said. Alpha. I’m happy to stay on for a couple more days, if

you’re willing to see if I can pick anything up.”

“I’d appreciate it.” I say before turning off and heading to my room. I’ve been away all day and want to check in on Jara.

Before I can get to the stairs, Elijah comes up to me. “Alpha, do you have a minute?”

“Is it important? I want to check on Jara.”

“It is, but you can meet me in my office after you check on her. Luna went to bed early, she said she was tired.”

That stops me. “What did she do today that wore her out?” I ask.

Jara and Luna Hana have been planning how to infiltrate Alpha Emanual’s pack to

you that if she tries to go to one of those packs and I’m not here to stop her, that it’s your job to stop her, do I?”

let her put herself

you in

our bedroom, smelling my mate’s sweet cream scent.

kissing

asleep. “Are

on you and our little girl.” It brings a smile to her face, but her eyes never open.

“Okay. We’re good.”

a bit.” I say, making sure the blanket is tucked up around her. I check to see that she has her crackers and water by the nightstand for tomorrow morning before heading back down to meet

on the door jamb as I step into his office. “What’s up?” I ask.

guessing you haven’t spoken to Alpha Luke today?” He asks.

crossing one leg over the other knee. “No, I’ ve been with Quinton’s

he find anything?” Elijah

to call Quinton after this to make sure he’s okay with that.”

that Alpha Shawn

“All

dozens of patrols to double and triple check since he was concerned about a sneak attack to try and take the Gammas back, and they’ve all come back saying

Luke think is the reason

that the warriors from Alpha Conrad’s pack, the ones that followed the she-wolves to his territory, also seem to have retreated.”

any sense. Why would they

I wanted you to have the information as soon as possible.

up the phone and dialing

saw

“Saw what?”

email that just came

because I just heard from Elijah about the retreat of Alpha Shawn’s and Alpha