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.

have been planning how to infiltrate Alpha

tell 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

put herself or

you in your

go upstairs and walk into our bedroom, smelling my mate’s sweet cream scent. I see her tucked into bed, so I walk over,

kissing her

half asleep. “Are you coming to bed?”

I just wanted to check on you and our little girl.” It brings a smile to her face,

“Okay. We’re good.”

in 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

as I step into his office. “What’s

guessing you haven’t spoken to Alpha

the other knee. “No,

anything?”

couple more days. I’m going to call Quinton after this to make sure he’s okay with that.”

today. It seems that Alpha Shawn pulled all his men from around his pack.”

“All of them?”

he’s sent out dozens of patrols to double and triple check since he was concerned about a sneak attack to

“What does Alpha Luke think is the reason for their retreat?” I ask.

Conrad’s pack, the ones that followed the she-wolves to his

make any sense. Why would they have retreated?”

but I wanted you to have the information as soon as possible. They must be

picking up the

saw

“Saw what?”

the email that just came

from Elijah about the retreat of Alpha Shawn’s and Alpha