The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 12
Jara
When we return to the conference room after lunch, I feel better about our plan to take care of Layan. I know that she needs us, the four of us that were in the claiming with her.
But for now, I need to make sure that not only Layan, but every werewolf female is safe.
As we sit down, Elder Jason steps up to begin.
“As I mentioned earlier, we have two more petitions that seem to be in opposition to each other. The first was presented by Alpha Gunnar, the second was presented by the Lunas. We’ll start with Alpha Gunnar’s petition. It states that packs will have absolute oversight and control of their she-wolves, with the notable exception of their requirement to enter the claiming process after they reach the age of maturity.”
“What does that even mean?” I ask him.
“It means that I say what happens to the she-wolves in my pack.” Gunnar says, smirking at me and it’s a look that has the hair on the back of my neck going up.
“Meaning that you get to r*ap*e them because they are in your pack?” Hana asks.
“Meaning, that if their ‘mate’,” he uses air quotes, “can’t get her pregnant, then as their Alpha, it’s my duty to propagate the species and impregnate her.”
“You’re disgusting.” Annabel says.
“So, let me get this straight.” I say, standing up, because I want to make sure every Alpha in this room is paying attention and hears what I’m about to say. “After all your bullshit this morning about needing to be the strongest wolf to catch a she- wolf to ensure the continuation of the species, it sounds to me that if you STILL can’t get a mate, you’re basically going to steal the mates of those in your pack who beat you out, r*ap*e their she-wolves and then what? Give them back to their mates? Is that what I’m understanding?”
I can tell by the way the other Alphas are looking at him that they do not agree with this. The claiming was put into place so the strongest survive. It may not be the best system, but it’s certainly a better option than Alphas sitting back and r*ap*ing their pack members’ mates.
“It wouldn’t be like that.” Gunnar says.
“How would it be?” Hana asks, coming to stand beside me.
“I’m just saying, we have to ensure that our species doesn’t go extinct.” He says, his voice not nearly as strong as it was before.
“And yet, you fought against the decisions that would continue our species, keep us strong and build a better future for our species. And I believe you said, and I quote, ‘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.’ So, I’m guessing if your pack mate can’t get their ‘worthless’ mate pregnant, you’re going to do your duty, as an Alpha, and make sure she gets pregnant?” I snarl at him.
He grits his teeth, not answering.
“Let’s take it to a vote.” Elder Jason says.
The vote was thirteen to one, Gunnar being the only one that voted for, his petition, thank goodness. Maybe there’s hope for our species after all.
“Last on our docket today is the petition put forth by the Lunas. This petition contains seven items.”
I hear grumbling as the Alphas realize that it’s likely we’ll be here until tomorrow. “Do we need to break so that everyone can make arrangements to stay another night and not have their packs expect them until tomorrow?” Elder Jason asks. After unanimous agreement, we break to extend our stay, and let the pack know we won’t be back until late tomorrow, or maybe early the next day.
It’s mid-afternoon before we finally settle back into the conference room and Elder Jason takes his petition at the front of the room.
“As I mentioned before, the last petition of this meeting was put forth by the Lunas with the support of their mates. The first item in the petition states, ‘She-wolves will have complete and unlimited access to each other.”
“For what purpose?” Alpha Shawn asks.
“Support, a*s*sistance, camaraderie. We are werewolves after all. We’re pack animals. There are so few of us and we’re spread out all over the country, so we don’t even know each other. We want to change that.” Hana says. Since she’s taking lead on this petition, she is the one speaking for us.
“Let’s take it to a vote.” Elder Jason says.
Once again, it’s thirteen to one, with Alpha Gunnar against the change. Since he wanted total and complete domination over his she-wolves, I’m not surprised. “This petition will be put into law.” Elder Jason says.
The next item on the petition states, ‘She-wolves will a*s*sist with pregnancy and birthing’s’.”
I see Alpha Saul and Alpha Zaire whip their heads around to us, a slow smile spreading on Alpha Zaire’s face.
“We have doctors, we don’t need she-wolves meddling in the birthing process. And what are they going to do during their pregnancy? Rub their feet?” Alpha Emmanuel asks. I dislike him almost as much as I dislike Alpha Gunnar.
“Alpha Emmanuel, have you ever been pregnant?” Hana asks and I can tell by the tone in her voice that she’s about to put this Alpha in his place. I sit back to watch. “Of course, I haven’t, what kind of question is that?” He says, huffing.
“Have you ever had a menstrual cycle?” Hana continues.
“What is the point of your questions, young lady?” He snarls.
“Luna!” Seth snarls right back.
“The point is, you don’t have the physical equipment necessary to understand what a she-wolf goes through when she’s pregnant. You don’t know what it feels like to birth a pup or lose a pup. And before any of you state the obvious, you are correct, I don’t either. But my body has the ability to do those things where yours doesn’t. I can be empathetic with a she-wolf that may lose her pup in a way that none of the Alphas in this room can. And there are several she-wolves who have given birth who could be a positive and caring support to those who are struggling with their pregnancies or even during childbirth. I would use my mother-in-law as an example. She does know what it’s like, and while she may not have lost a child while pregnant, she had a daughter that did, and she has lost a child. She is more uniquely qualified than any of you are to support a she-wolf in your packs.”
“I agree with Luna Hana. When my Gia lost one of our pups, she was devastated. I didn’t know what to do for her, how to comfort her. It was a terrible time and maybe if another she-wolf could have been there for her, she would have responded more quickly. I agree with this item in the petition.”
“Let’s take it to a vote.” Elder Jason says.
This time is ten to four, Alpha Gunnar and his posse voting against us. Doesn’t matter, they still lost.
“This item will be placed into law.”
“The next item up for review states, ‘Once a month, a representative from each pack that has she-wolves will attend meetings organized by the Lunas’.”
“You already want access to our packs, now you want monthly meetings too? Give me a break, even the Alphas only meet annually.” This comes from Alpha Conrad.
“Perhaps you’d be doing more to ensure the continuation of our race if you met more frequently.” I say, giving him a snarky smile.
“Unlike the Alphas that have unlimited access to other packs and other Alphas, the Lunas and other she-wolves do not. We would like to change that. It’s another way to support each other, provide ideas of things that work in our packs and may be helpful in other packs. It’s a way to ensure that we know if someone is struggling with their pregnancy or is getting close to childbirth so we can make arrangements to send someone to help, if needed. There are many things that can be accomplished during these monthly meetings.” Hana explains.
“This sounds like some other way for you to try to take control of our packs. Using these petitions as a way to infiltrate our packs and overthrow us as Alphas.” Gunnar says.
“That’s not it at all, Alpha. Our sole intention is to support the she- wolves and ensure that they are being treated well in their packs. If you are mistreating your she-wolves, that is another story, but if you are treating them well, then we have no problems.” Hana says.
“Treating them well.” He says, using air quotes. “That’s pretty subjective.”
“I can a*s*sure you, r*ap*e is not considered treating your she-wolves well, Alpha Gunnar.” I say.
“Let’s vote.” Elder Jason says. Again, it’s a ten to four vote, with Gunnar and his minions voting against it. I have to wonder if they really don’t agree with this or if they are just following Gunnar.
“This item will be placed into law. Due to the time, I vote that we end for the day and continue this again tomorrow morning.”
Everyone agrees and we adjourn for the day.