The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 282

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 09 (Nolan)

I watch the exchange between Jordan and Jace. Something has changed between them recently and I'm not sure what it is. I had thought, when she called yesterday, that her getting away had just as much to do with him as it did with me, but now, I'm not so sure. Now, I'm wondering if he's somehow gotten into her head. His animosity toward me has been clear from the beginning, but now, whether through something he's done or the threat to her pack, Jace is replaceing a way to get closer to Jordan.

I know that the mate bond is a strong and powerful thing, but I'm a man and it aggravates me that this woman that I have feelings for is starting to show feelings for someone else.

"Nolan, why don't you take a seat here? That way, it won't feel like the council is surrounding you at the table. This is a fact-replaceing mission, not an interrogation and I want you to feel comfortable," Jordan says to me, directing me to the corner of a table. "Where will you be sitting?" I ask her.

She smiles at me. "I was planning to sit right here," she says, putting her hands on the back of the chair beside me. "That would be great," I say, feeling relieved.

She leans in, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Did you need an Alpha to protect you, Nolan?"

I hold her gaze. "I just need to know that I have your support, Jordan."

"Of course, you do."

The council members start filing in and they greet each other, and Jordan. She introduces me as they come in and when they are all seated, Jace goes to close the door when Jordan's twin, Jaxon, steps into the doorway.

"Is it possible for me to sit in? I know this is why you called the Alpha meeting, but I have a mate due to deliver our pup in the next few weeks and I'd really like to know what we're dealing with." Everyone turns to Councilman Jason, deferring to him.

"Alpha Jaxon, you may come sit and be a silent witness. However, if you become disruptive, if your concern for your mate interrupts this meeting, you will be removed," he says sternly.

I like this guy already. I haven't had a lot of interaction with the council over the years. Mostly phone conversations about my experience, my background and all the things that put me into the top fighter status along with other five fighters that have been named top in their divisions.

Jaxon comes in and sits next to Jordan while Jace stands near the door, his arms crossed as if he's guarding the room.

"Nolan, thank you for staying so that we could meet with you. The information that you provided to Alpha Jordan is very concerning and we, the council, wanted to hear it firsthand from you and have an opportunity to ask you questions. So, please, if you would, start from the beginning and tell us what you know and what you've heard."

I go through the story that I already told Jordan. As I tell the story, Councilman Jason's eyes never leave mine, but I see the others becoming more agitated, shifting in their seats.

It's quiet for a moment when I stop talking.

"So, the banished wolves didn't die. They actually found a way to survive and also have seemingly mated with humans, making this generation much more dangerous.”

"Do we know how many were banished?" Councilwoman Jara asks.

"Not exactly. At that time, many Alphas told us they killed their pack members that had gone feral. We took them at their word, but we heard the rumors, especially in packs such as Gunnar's or Emmanual's where they told us they killed their pack members, but we heard they didn't."

"It wasn't easy. I remember my father and I both struggled when we had to put one of our pack members down," Councilman Antonio says.

"Mason has said the same thing. I know he did it, but he hated it every time," Councilwoman Jara says.

"So, we have no way of knowing how many wolves were banished and no way of knowing, beyond what the bears can tell us, about how many human females were bred," Councilwoman Gia says, looking at

me.

"I didn't specifically ask the bears how many human females they found. I was more concerned about the rumors that impacted Alpha Jordan," I tell them.

"About the leader of these rogues coming for the female Alpha. But we don't know if this self-proclaimed Alpha was speaking of Alpha Jordan or Alpha Taylor. It's possible, since it appears that these packs have been displaced that they could be speaking of Alpha Taylor. Do we know what has been done to ensure the new Alpha's safety?" Councilman Saul asks.

"Her brother and father are looking after her, making sure she's not alone and protected. In addition, Griffin and I are alternating patrols around her pack," Jordan says.

Councilman Jason turns back to me. "Tell us more about the bears. What's the name of their leader?"

"Balor is the name of their leader," I tell them.

"An interesting name," Councilman Antonio says. I look at him frowning.

He raises an eyebrow at me then looks at the others. "Balor means The Deadly One," he says.

"I'm sure he's not their leader because he's kind and gentle. Wolves are violent, bears are even more so. Anyway, he told me that the problems with wolves started years ago, but they weren't as prevalent as they are now. And, of course, the issue with bears being killed and eaten is the main issue. They, the bears I mean, didn't care so much about dead humans or even the baby's cries. But now Balor is taking notice because his kin are being killed."

"How many?" Councilman Saul asks me.

"Three in the last month," I tell them.

"Three?" Councilwoman Gia asks, shocked. I can see that the other council members and even Jordan and Jace are shocked by this. It's a large number in a short amount of time.

"If you consider that there are at least two packs, then it's not that many. However, it is causing a rift between the bears and the wolves," I say.

"And yet, they called for your assistance," Councilman Antonio says, watching me closely.

"Yes, my talents, as well as those of the other fighters are well known in the shifter community, not just among werewolves."

"So, you're training them to fight against us?" Councilman Saul asks me. "No, I'm training them to defend and protect themselves from attacking wolf packs," I say, starting to feel a bit defensive.

"Nolan isn't the enemy here," Jordan says, coming to my defense. "He came to us and warned us. Without him, who knows what else would have happened without our knowledge. Now we have a chance to do something, to do damage control with the bears and maybe track down these rogue wolfpacks."

Councilman Jason looks from Jordan to me and then to Jace and back again. "We need someone to go visit the bears. We need someone to get more information and let them know that it isn't us that is attacking them," Councilman Jason says.

"It doesn't matter if it's your packs that are attacking, Councilman. You're missing the point. Their clans are being killed because of the actions of the packs. Whether intentional or not, the responsibility of their deaths falls to the packs, to the Alphas that banished their pack members rather than killing them when they should have."

"You think this group is related more to the ones with feral fever and the claiming haze rather than the low-level criminals?" Councilwoman Jara asks.

"I do, simply because, we've been banishing criminals for generations, and this has never been a problem before. We don't have enough banished criminals in the packs to have created a full pack, let alone more than one. And those numbers, you should have," I say to the council.

"We do. I brought that information with me, but I also took a look before I got here. The fighter Nolan is correct. There are only a handful of criminals that have been banished over the last three decades," Councilman Saul says.

"So, we are talking about descendants from those with feral fever and maybe the claiming haze. Add to that, the mental instability and aggression that comes from mating with humans and we all have a real problem on our hands," Alpha Jaxon says.

"Yes, and those of you in the new, unestablished packs are just as much at risk as Alpha Jordan and Alpha Taylor. If the wolves are killing bears, it's not a stretch for them to kill other wolves," Councilwoman Gia says.

"We need to get those Alphas and their mates out of the packs now," Councilman Jason says, looking around.

"I'll go," I say, looking at the group.

Jordan turns to me. "You don't have to leave, Nolan. You can stay as long as you like."

"It's not that, Jordan. All of you are needed here, plus, I know my way around the territories well and I've met most of the current Alphas. I'll replace the new Alphas and their mates, send them here now and then you can make plans for how to proceed. I'm happy to help in any way that is needed and I'm sure the other fighters would be happy to help too," I say.

"My family has already been warned, so you can eliminate those packs off your list, Nolan," Councilwoman Jara says. "And Tobias and Flavia will be arriving today with their newborn, so you can eliminate them as well," Alpha Jaxon says.

I do quick numbers in my head. "That leaves four packs for me to notify. I'll make sure they begin making their way here today," I say.

"I'll call my son, Giovanni, let him know that you'll need a place to stay tonight," Alpha Antonio says.

"Much appreciated," I say standing.

Jordan stands beside me. "I'll walk you out."

We walk past Jace who steps aside.

Jordan walks me to my car. "Be careful," she says, hugging me. Hugging, not k*issing.

"I will. I'm a fighter, Jordan. You don't need to worry about me."

"But I will. Call me tonight and let me know that you're safe?"

I lean in and gently touch my lips to hers. "I will," I say, getting into my car and driving off, watching her disappear in my rearview mirror as I go.