The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 8: Jara

Jara

When we meet in our room, I order some room service, dessert and after dinner drinks, and decaffeinated coffee for Mignon and anyone else that wants it.

"Okay, we need to make sure that we have something in place to help protect our fellow she-wolves. We all hit the mate jackpot, not just in looks," I say, looking at Annabel, "but also in how well they treat us and how much they love and support us. But we all know that not everyone has or will get so lucky. And, while I think that the changes to the claiming process will help, we need to protect our own." "Agreed, so what do we do?" Mignon asks, looking at us.

I pull out the form Mason gave to me earlier.

"We have to write out our petition, what we want to change, and the expectations we have. So, if we are going to make a change, if we're going to protect our she-wolves, how should we start?" "Well, first, we have to be able to see each other." Mignon says.

"Good! Number 1, she-wolves will have complete and unlimited access to each other." Hana says, writing it down. Since she's taking the lead on this petition, we agreed that she would be the one to complete the petition.

"What else?" Hana says as she writes #1 down.

"We should be able to assist with pregnancies and deliveries." Annabel says."

"Excellent, that's number two, what else?" Hana says, furiously writing.

"We need to have an annual Luna meeting, just like they have an Alpha meeting. It could be at the same time, but we should have an opportunity to meet and discuss issues specific to us as she- wolves and any concerns that have been raised over the year."

"Love it! That's number three." Hana says, writing it all down.

We all think for a moment. "Once a year isn't enough and it doesn't include all she-wolves. What if we have a monthly video meeting and every pack must have at least one she-wolf in attendance?" Hana says We all agree that is a great idea and she writes down number four.

"Lunas should be allowed to visit any she-wolf in any pack at any time. Unrestricted access. That way, if someone gives us a hint that something is wrong, we can check it out." Annabel says. "Another great idea. But to clarify, this is about actually being allowed on pack lands versus the first one that could be a phone call or meeting outside of the pack lands, correct?" Hana asks. When Annabel agrees, she writes it down.

"There should be repercussions if the Alphas or the packs don't comply. Like, their packs will be dismantled, or we could go to war." Mignon says and we all look at each other.

"We'd better get our mates' agreement on that one before we include it. They would be leading the war and we want to make sure they are okay with that wording." Hana says.

"I agree, but I think they will agree as well." I say.

Hana looks over our suggestions. "This is a great start. Any other

ideas."

I look at all of them. "I think at least one council member should be a female."

Their eyes go wide.

"Yes." Annabel says.

"Yes." Hana says.

"Yes." Mignon agrees.

"Put it in the petition. We're already going to ruffle some feathers, what's a few more." I say.

When we're done, we sit back, enjoying our desserts and drinks.

"What do you think of that Alpha Gunnar?" Annabel asks, sipping her drink and hiding her smile.

"I think Jara put that jerk in his place." Mignon says.

"You need to be careful, Jara. He was already a misogynistic pig, but you embarrassed him in front of his peers. That makes him dangerous."

"And it's not just him. Did you see that he has a group of followers too?" Annabel asks.

"Yeah, I did. None of them have large packs, so I'm not concerned, but you're right Hana. He could be dangerous, given the right circumstances. And I wouldn't want him taking his anger at me out on the she- wolves in his pack."

"Do you think he would do that?" Mignon asks.

"Of yes." Hana says. "Does anyone remember how many she-

wolves he has in his pack?"

"Two or three if I remember correctly, but only one is an adult, I think." I say.

"So our petition is even more important now." Hana says.

"Definitely." We agree.

We chat until our mates join us. Before they leave, we have them sit down and Hana presents our petition to them. I notice Hana skips over the one discussing war, saving it to the end. There is a lot of discussion about having a she-wolf on the council. Not that our mates disagreed, but they thought we should petition for two, rather than one. That way, there is always a possibility that they could not be overruled just because they are female.

I smile at Mason, feeling my love him blossom in my chest. He must feel it because he looks up at me.

"What?" He asks in the mind link.

"You are amazing, do you know that?"

"Hmmm, you'll have to tell me EXACTLY what I did later, so I can bring out this feeling in you again. I like it. A lot. And I especially like knowing it's because of me."

Seth clears his throat, giving me a knowing smile. I duck my head, knowing I'm blushing at being caught.

"And that brings us to our final point." Hana says, and I refocus on our conversation. This is a key point.

"We want to put it into law that any Alpha or pack that refuses to allow their she-wolves to participate or refuses access to their she- wolves will have their packs dismantled through force if

necessary."

"Force?" Antonio asks.

"War." Annabel says, watching him closely.

"You're asking us, as your mates, to wage war with another Alpha or Alphas if they do not follow these rules once passed into law?" Asher asks, looking at Mignon.

"Yes." She says quietly.

He narrows her eyes at her, and I give her credit, she doesn't back down.

"Three girls or five years of trying." He says.

She narrows her eyes back at him and I look at Mason, frowning. His face mirrors mine.

"Four years and five children total, no matter the gender." Mignon. says in return. This is bizarre.

"Five years and six children in total, no matter the gender." He

counters.

"Deal." Mignon says.

"Deal." Asher says back pulling her into his lap and kissing her passionately.

"You make deals based on the number of children you may have?" Annabel asks them.

Mignon shrugs. "I want children as much as Asher does, so it's a win-win."

Annabel turns to look at Antonio and I see the wheels in her mind

turning. Antonio watches her intently, his eyebrows raising in question.

"We'll be discussing this later." Annabel says.

"I have no doubt." He replies.

Asher stands, moving Mignon so he's carrying her, her legs. wrapped around his waist. "Well, it's been fun. See you all tomorrow." He says, heading for the door. "Yeah, time for bed." Seth says and before she realizes what he's doing, Seth has scooped Hana over his shoulder caveman style, heading toward the door. "Seth, put me down!" She exclaims and I hear him smack her backside.

"Calm it down, woman." He says, walking out of the room, Hana giggling as they go.

"I choose the first option." Annabel says, running and jumping into Antonio's arms.

"Good choice." He says, carrying her out of the room, somehow kissing her as he goes.

Mason closes the door behind them. "Which do you choose? Option one or option two?" He asks me, as he starts to stalk me, a predator on the hunt.

"Option three." I say, turning to race into our room. He catches me before I get to the door, shredding my clothes before we get to the bed and then taking his time reminding me that I'm mated to a dominant Alpha man.