The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 129

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.

He grimaces. "Apparently, Luna Jara and Luna Hana have been planning how to infiltrate Alpha Emanual's pack to get to the she- wolves."

I should have known. I look back at Elijah. "I don't have to 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 I?"

"No, I won't let her put herself or your pup in danger."

I nod. "I'll meet you in your office in a moment."

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

down and kissing her head.

She mumbles, half asleep. "Are you coming to bed?"

"Soon, my love. I just wanted to check on you and our little girl." It brings a smile to her face, but her eyes never open.

"Okay. We're good."

"I'll be back 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 down to meet with Elijah.

I knock on the door jamb as I step into his office. "What's up?" I ask.

"I'm guessing you haven't spoken to Alpha Luke today?" He asks.

I sit across from him, crossing one leg over the other knee. "No, I've been with Quinton's tracker all day."

"Did he replace anything?" Elijah asks.

"No, but he's willing to stay a couple more days. I'm going to call Quinton after this to make sure he's okay with that."

Elijah nods. "So, Alpha Luke called today. It seems that Alpha Shawn pulled all his men from around his pack."

I frown. "All of them?"

"Yeah. Alpha Luke said he's sent out 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 there is no trace of them anywhere."

I stand, starting to pace the room. "What does Alpha Luke think is the reason for their retreat?" I ask.

"He's not sure. And Alpha Zaire called to say that the warriors from Alpha Conrad's pack, the ones that followed the she-wolves to his territory, also seem to have retreated."

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would they have retreated?"

"I don't know Alpha, but I wanted you to have the information as soon as possible. They must be up to something."

"Agreed." I say, picking up the phone and dialing Seth.

"Mason, you saw it?"

"Saw what?"

"You didn't see the email that just came through?"

"What email? I'm calling because I just heard from Elijah about the retreat of Alpha Shawn's and Alpha Conrad's warriors."

I see Elijah is quickly logging in to get the email.

"Oh shit." He says, sitting back.

"Hang on, Elijah just pulled it up."

I snarl as I read.

'This notice is to inform all packs of a change in the law. Any pack that takes in a she-wolf from another pack will be considered an enemy of the werewolf community. Any action from a pack to forcibly remove a she-wolf from her pack will be considered an act of war. Packs will have singular authority over their she-wolves to provide their care as they deem fit.

Any pack that is currently housing a she-wolf from another pack has three days from the date of this notice to return those she- wolves to their rightful pack, or it will be considered an act of aggression against the council and the werewolf community.

Any act of aggression against the council and werewolf

community is considered an act of war which will be dealt with swiftly.'

It is signed by Alpha Gunnar and every Elder except Jason.

"This cannot stand." I snarl into the phone, still talking to Seth.

"I'm calling an emergency alliance meeting tonight. We need to be prepared for an attack, specifically on Luke and Zaire's packs."

"Agreed. Call the meeting, we need to plan, as an alliance, how to protect those she-wolves, but we also need a plan to attack Alpha Emanual's pack. You know he's keeping those she-wolves hostage." "Yeah. I'll get the call set up."

I hang up the phone and almost immediately, it rings again.

"Alpha Mason." I say, picking up the phone, expecting it to be Gunnar, touting his perceived win. Instead, I get a surprise.

"Alpha Mason, this is Alpha Jonas. I was wondering if perhaps you could shed some light on the recent email we received, why it appears that Elder Jason is no longer part of the council and why Alpha Gunna now considers himself equal to an Elder."

"Alpha Jonas. I think it's time for you to pick a side."