The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 99

The Council Chapter 6: Jara

Jara

I didn't realize that Mason was so concerned about Typhon searching for me. The thought had crossed my mind, since he was after me in the claiming and he didn't catch me, if he has gone feral, his mind will be singularly focused on getting to me.

I know Mason loves me, but threatening the council is serious.

"Mason." I say softly, standing and turning to face him. I put my hand on his chest until he looks at me. "I'm right here. I'm safe."

He looks down cupping my face in his hand. "And you'd better stay that way."

He says looking back up at the council table. "Do something about Typhon before you force my hand."

Mason sits down, pulling me into his lap. I would be embarrassed if his rage wasn't pulsing throughout the room. I curl up against him, letting him hold me, soothing his fear that Typhon is going to hurt me, or take me from him.

Elder Rudy sits down, looking at his companions. Elder Colton stands up. “For the rest of the afternoon, we need to catalogue the she-wolves, determine who is of childbearing age, the status of any pregnancies and plans for future pregnancies."

I frown, turning to look at Hana, who has the same look of confusion on her face. I turn, looking at Mason who has a look that let's me know that I'm about to get pissed off and he's going to sit back and watch the show.

"Since we have the newest contestants and all of them are Lunas,

let's start with them. Alpha Asher, could you start by telling us how many females you have in your pack and of those, how many are of childbearing age and how many are juveniles."

"One moment." I say to Asher, standing up and looking at Elder Colton.

"Why are you asking about the she-wolves in Alpha Asher's pack as if we're cattle?" I say and I can feel my own anger rising.

"Luna Jara, this is standard procedure. We need to keep track of our she-wolves and how well and quickly they are reproducing."

"Did you plan on branding us too, so you know which pack we belong to?" Hana says, standing beside me.

"You misunderstand..."

"Do we? Because it sounds like a group of men are sitting around talking about how quickly and frequently, they can breed the remaining females in our species. The females, might I add, that you are impressively failing to protect."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Luna Jara." Elder Colton says sharply.

"Oh shit." I hear Mason say quietly. I don't miss the wide-eyed look from the other Elders. Obviously Elder Colton has forgotten who my sister was.

"Is that so?" I ask, my voice razor sharp. My glare at Elder Colton has him pulling his collar away from his neck as Elder Stanley comes to whisper in his ear.

"Let me ask you this, Elders." I say, spitting their title out as if it's an unpleasant taste in my mouth. "What was the conversation when my sister continued to lose her babies because Alpha

Typhon refused to let her body heal in between miscarriages? Were you worried about her, or were you worried about your precious numbers? It's hard to repopulate your species when you aren't taking care of the ones that are required to reproduce. So, I'd like to know. Did any of you do anything? Did any of you try to stop him from killing my sister, a true Alpha? No, you didn't. You sat there, collecting your numbers with absolutely no regard for why our species is going extinct."

"Sit down and shut your mouth, Luna. A woman's job is to be a bed warmer for her mate and birth his young. Alpha or no, if you can't do that, you're pretty worthless."

Mason and Seth are on their feet in an instant, ready to fight Alpha Gunnar for his words, but I don't need them to fight my battles. This asshole thinks he's special because he has the title of Alpha? He's about to see what a real Alpha looks like.

I push my aura out, locking him into place as he yips at the power I'm exuding. I slowly prowl over to him, as he bares his throat to me, and I watch his eyes go wide as I get into his face. "Say that to me again, Gunnar, and I'll show you exactly what it is that you are missing by not having Alpha blood. You may be able to intimidate your pack, but you won't intimidate me. Do you understand?"

He nods his head.

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you?"

"Yes, Alpha." He spits out, glaring at me. I don't miss that he called me Alpha, instead of Luna this time. Maybe he has some brain cells after all. Or maybe he just has a strong sense of self preservation. I continue holding him in place as I turn to face the room. There are very few Alphas in this room that don't have their throats bared

to me. Hana, Annabel and Mignon are exempt from my rage, so they are standing by wide-eyed, watching silently.

"Anyone else want to try and insult me?" I snarl, looking around.

"Alpha Jara. Please, release the Alphas. Elder Colton was wrong not to remember your sister and reasons behind her death." It's Elder Jason. He's a true Alpha and while I know he can feel my power, it's not strong enough to force him into a submissive pose. The other four Elders, however, are all baring their throats to me.

I feel Mason's arms go around me from behind. "Let them go, love. You've made your point."

Before I release them, I turn back to Elder Colton. "In the future, Elder, you would be wise to remember who I am, and who my sister was. If anyone in this room knows how little most of you think of our few remaining she-wolves, it's me. And I'm putting you on notice now, things are going to change."

I look at the room, feeling my anger subsiding as Mason's arms around me work their magic.

"My sister was sweet, and kind and you let her die. Well, now you get me. And I'm a fucking bitch." I say, before letting Mason lead me back to our seats.