The Claiming by Cooper

Chapter 90 Mason

Mason

The next morning when I wake, I’m still wrapped around Jara. Somehow, even after my knot went down,

I stayed inside her. It only takes a moment before I’m hard again, so I wake my mate, slowly, bringing her

to her o*gasm before I release in her again.

The thought that she is already carrying my pup hits me hard and I nuzzle her neck, kissing her before I

slide out of her and get out of bed.

“Where are you going?” She asks me, her voice raspy screaming last night and moaning this morning.

from

“I need to find out when the Alpha meeting will be and where it will be held this year. If only half of the

unmated males came out of the claiming, it means some packs will have to be assimilated by others and

we’ll have to reassess boundary lines again.”

She sits up, letting the sheet fall to her waist. I’m tempted to crawl back into bed and take her again, but I

really do have work to do.

“Do you do this every year?” She says, rubbing her eyes with the heel of her hand. I’m starting to realize

that this is a very Jara thing to do in the morning.

“Yes, every year after the claiming, we evaluate the pack standings and which ones are no longer large

enough to sur- vive on their own. There is also the issue of those that have lost their last ranked member

and only warriors and omegas

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are left. They also need to be assimilated into a new pack.

I walk back to the bed and kiss her sweet lips. “And you, my mate, have a mother to meet with and a

packhouse to ‘warm’.” I say, using air quotes.

“Yes, and Seth and Hana will be leaving today. I want to make plans to get together with Hana soon.”

“And you and I need to start writing up our petition to change the claiming. You need to think about what

you want changed from the female’s perspective. Talk to Hana before she leaves today and start making

a list.”

bed.

“That’s a great idea, Mason.” She says, crawling out of

I start walking to the bathroom but turn and look at her. “I know.” I say giving her an arrogant smile.

She just shakes her head at me before following me into the shower. We’re showered, dressed and

downstairs 45 min- utes later. I can tell my entire pack is dragging after the late night last night, but

everyone is in good spirits.

Jara goes around to each table, saying good morning to everyone before finally coming to sit at our table

with Seth, Hana and her parents. While Jara begins talking to Hana and her mother, I turn to Seth and

Phillip.

“Before you leave Seth, I wanted to let you know that Jara and I plan to petition the Elder Council to

change the way they manage the claiming. I’ve asked Jara to work with Hana to give me input on the

female side, but I’d like yours from the Alpha side. I’ll add all of our complaints and suggestions into one

petition and submit it to Elder Jason.”

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“Who is Elder Jason?” Phillip asks.

“He came in after we basically insisted that Elder Carson be fired when that hole incident happened to

the omega, Layan.” Seth tells him.

“Jason Newlan?” He asks.

“I’m not sure, are you Mason?” Seth asks.

“No, but I know he’s on the Council. He’s a good Alpha and a good Elder. He is just as unhappy with the

events of this year’s claiming as we are and he agrees that if things continue as they are, that our

species will be extinct in a couple of decades.”

“How many pack members did you lose this year?” Phillip asks me.

“Thankfully, only a handful. How about you?” I ask Seth.

“Same. But if only half of the unmated males came out of Jara’s claiming, then some packs will be

decimated.”

“I agree. I need to find out when the Council meeting will be. I plan to give Elder Jason my petition at that

time.”

“Let me know what you need. I’m trying to get caught up after being gone so long. Thankfully, Dad

watched over the pack and ran things for me, but there are still things I need to take care of.”

“Understood. My G*mma watched things here for me, but I have to get caught up.”

“I’m happy to help while I’m here. My mate will be helping Jara add ‘warmth’,” Phillip uses air quotes like

I did earlier, “to

your packhouse, so I won’t really have anything to do.”

“I’d appreciate any assistance you want to provide. I think this petition will be very important and it’s also

going to be a big battle with the Elders.”

“You’ll need to get the other Alphas on board.” Seth says.

“I think Alpha Asher and Alpha Antonio will be on board. I don’t know which others are left. We’ll have to

wait for the Al- pha meeting.”

Seth turns and looks at me. “Will you be bringing Jara? I know I don’t want to leave Hana so soon after

marking and mating, even for a few days.”

“That feeling never goes away.” Phillip says, looking at his

mate.

I smile at that. I can’t imagine ever wanting to be away from Jara.

“Hey, Jara.” I say, getting her attention.

“Yes.” She says, her smile radiant, her eyes full of love.

“Would you be willing to go to the Alpha meeting with

me?”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “As an Alpha, I would be of- fended if I wasn’t invited.”

I can’t help but laugh at my mate. I turn to Seth. “I guess that’s a yes.”

à

“It better be a yes for me too.” Hana says, giving Seth a hard look.

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He puts his hands up in front of himself in a placating gesture. “I’m the one that asked about it, baby.”

“It’s good to know that I raised a smart man and that my daughter has mated with one as well.” Nina

says, looking at

us.

“My sons, let me give you a piece of advice that’s well known, but is worth repeating. Words that I have

lived by and have kept the peace all my life. ‘If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.’ Live by that

manta and you’ll do just fine.”