The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 15
Mason
Jara and I stand, turning to make arrangements to meet up with the others this week and discuss going to Alpha Davis’s pack.
Alpha Luke comes over and looks at Antonio. “You have some paperwork for me, Alpha?” He asks.
“I sure do.” He says and the two of them step aside to discuss the terms of the alliance.
Alpha Zaire comes over to us. “I’d be interested in an alliance myself. I know our pack is more secluded than most, but I’ve enjoyed meeting your mates and I know my mate will feel the same. An alliance can only make the work that we are trying to do better.” He says.
“You don’t have to convince me, Alpha Zaire. We were hoping you would be interested. It seems that there is a clear line in the way some of us think and the way others in our group think. The more support we have to help our Lunas and she-wolves, the better.”
When we had talked about our alliance, we had agreed that other Alphas interested in joining would be considered, but Alpha Luke and Alpha Zaire were two that we all had hoped would be interested.
Alpha Saul and Alpha Jonas are two wild cards and while we would be interested in speaking to them about an alliance, we weren’t sure we would want one. All of us agreed that there would be no alliance with Alphas Gunnar, Conrad, Emanual, or Shawn.
Alpha Saul approaches Seth, looking at Alpha Luke and Alpha Zaire talking with Antonio. “I would be interested in reviewing an alliance document, but I am not willing to sign one today.” Alpha Saul says to Seth.
“I would be happy to send it to you and answer any questions that you may have. I know we have a plan to begin meeting this week to discuss any changes that need to take place with the laws that were enacted here. And while it doesn’t impact you, our Lunas will be visiting Alpha Davis’s pack, so we need to make those arrangements.” Seth tells him.
I watch Alpha Saul turn to look sharply at Jara and Hana. “They are already going to the packs to meet the she-wolves?” He asks and I can tell by his tone that he thinks that maybe Gunnar was right that they are trying to infiltrate the packs. This is why we weren’t sure about creating an alliance with him. If he doesn’t trust us, we can’t trust him.
“Alpha Davis is the omega Layan’s Alpha. The girl isn’t doing well, and Alpha Davis was agreeable to having our Lunas come to spend time with her since they all bonded during this year’s claiming process. You’re welcome to ask Alpha Davis, if you don’t believe me, but he was happy to have them come and try to help the girl. She’s apparently not faring well after what happened.” I tell him.
I watch as he furrows his brows. “Of course, that makes sense.” He turns back to me. “And what about you four, as their mates? Will you be joining them in Alphas Davis’s pack?”
“That would be a bit overwhelming for Alpha Davis, don’t you think?” I ask, waiting for him to acknowledge his own skepticism with what we are trying to accomplish. When he nods, I continue.
“So, we decided that we would send one of us, to look after our mates as well as their individual guards. Depending on the frequency of visits and the number of Lunas that they feel are needed, we will rotate going with them, especially while some of them are pregnant but most especially while Typhon is still out there somewhere.”
I can see the wheels turning in his head. “I’d like that alliance document to take with me, if possible.” He says, looking back at Seth.
“Absolutely.” He walks over to where Antonio is finishing up with Luke and Zaire, and Alpha Saul follows him.
“I guess you’re feeling pretty smug, aren’t you?” Gunnar says, coming up behind me.
“I’m not sure what you mean?” I say, not bothering to turn and give him my attention.
“Changing the claiming process, changing the role of she-wolves in the packs, giving them more autonomy, I’d think you’d be pretty proud of yourself.” He says mockingly.
Now I do turn to look at him. “Yes, I am proud that I am making a difference for our species. I’m proud that hopefully, someday, my children will look back on this day and know that their parents were directly responsible for changing the laws that allowed our species to flourish and grow, giving them, their generation and the generations to come a better life.”
He snorts. “You’re so full of shit, acting all high and mighty.”
“No, I don’t. I just know that if things don’t change, we’re doomed. You should get with that program. If you don’t, it won’t be long before you’re the one going feral, and then no one will remember you because you will have left no legacy behind.” He rolls his eyes at that, then points to the table where Antonio is talking to our new allied members. “Well, at least I know who my enemies are.”
“You have it all wrong again. But, if you decide that they are your enemies, just remember, we all become your enemies.” I tell him before walking away.
When we’re done, Jara and I collect our things and head back to our pack. We didn’t get everything that we wanted with our petitions, but we got more than I thought we would.
Typhon POV
I watch her as she gets in her car. She stands out from the others, surrounded by a red glow, instead of in inky blackness.
“Eeny meeny miny moe
Catch a wolf by tail or toe
If he screams, don’t let him go
Eeny meeny miny moe
My mother said to pick the very best Luna
And you, Luna Jara, are it.”
I slink back into the forest. It will take me time to get back to her pack. My body hurts, but I know once I mark her, she will heal me, I’ll be whole again.
Oh yes, when I take her as my Luna, mate with her and mark her as mine, she will heal me.
And then the one that tried to take her from me will die.