The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 56 Mason

Mason

After a month of absolute silence in my head from Jara, I can’t get enough of her being back in my head. Last night, I slept for what was probably the first time since we lost our daughter.

The next morning as she lays wrapped in my arms, I ask her what had changed, and she told me about Mila coming to Melinda in a dream.

“You know, Mason. I would never have been able to willingly give up a child. But, if I had to lose one, then I’m glad to know that my sister got the child she never had in this life.”

“Me too. If feels…better somehow knowing that your sister is looking after our daughter.”

I sent Elijah a mind link, letting him know that I’d be spending time with Jara this morning.

“Take as much time as you need, Alpha. The whole pack can feel the difference in the two of you this morning. I’m glad things are getting better.”

“Me too.” I say before turning back to my mate.

“Tell me what I’ve missed.” She says.

I had intentionally not told her that Mignon had her baby. When Asher told me that Mignon wanted to visit with her baby, I had told him no. I wasn’t sure how Jara would respond, and it was too risky.

Then, just a few days ago, Hana had her daughter. I hadn’t mentioned that either and I had asked her family to keep it from her for now.

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of her head, holding her

me. “I missed their births?

for you, so I asked them not to say anything. I’m sorry if that wasn’t the right thing to

lips softly. “It was exactly the right thing to do. You’re right, I couldn’t have handled it. But I think I can now.” She says, nuzzling

miss?” She asks and her voice has gone soft, deep with desire. My body responds, but

wouldn’t push, and I won’t. But you did say there were other things that we could do until the doctor gave us the go ahead.” She says smiling. It’s the first time

back with my

to Alpha Gunnar’s pack. The last time we checked, it looked like they were training hard. I expect that they will be planning

sorry I haven’t been here for you.” Her eyes are full of sadness but also determination. I know that look. My mate is resolute in getting herself back

like you to participate in when you are up

I

that?” She

she went into the claiming last year. We know that she needs to go back in, but they want to hear from her. One of the things that we put forth in our petition was to allow females to choose their claimants. Layan should have 20 in her claim, but I don’t think she can handle

they want to hear from her, what do you mean?” She asks.

what she wants in her claiming versus what the council feels is in the best interest in the packs. As it stands, we’ve lost at least another 150 werewolves, fighting with Alpha Emanuel and with the others fighting against Alpha Zaire and Alpha Luke. That brings our numbers down to roughly 1350, not including the 50 she–wolves. That’s it, that’s all that’s left of us and if we go to war with Gunnar, that

leans over, kissing my chest, lost in thought. “We, as she-wolves, can‘ t keep up with how quickly we’re killing

there are only three she–wolves going into the claim this year – Layan, Katerina and McKenna. Stella hasn’t had a child since Jace, Tessa, your mom, Isabella, they’re all too old to have children. Nearly half of the she–wolves left haven’t come of age. There’s a possibility of things improving over time, but we’re at serious risk of decimating our species with

now, we’re doing a better job of keeping the feral–fever away in the packs. Jonas’s pack has

roughly twenty she–wolves that will come of age in the next fifteen years, that’s not enough