The Claiming By Cooper

The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 29

Jara

When I arrive back in Alpha Davis’s pack, I’m glad to see that Layan looks considerably better than she did when we left her last weekend. However, when she walks up to hug me, holding me so tightly that I can barely breathe, I know that it’s only on the surface.

Title of the document

That’s okay, it’s a start and every small step forward is still a step forward.

I see Elijah watching her as he pulls my bags out of the car, his jaw tense. It’s probably a good thing that he didn’t see her last weekend if her current state is affecting him like this.

“Am I the first one here?” I ask her as she finally pulls away.

“Yes. I heard that Alpha Seth will be joining us this weekend instead of Alpha Asher.” She says. She looks past me, a frown, forming on her face.

“Is that Beta Elijah?” She asks me quietly.

I turn, seeing him ducking his head, smiling that she remembers him. “It is. He’s here as part of my guard duty this weekend. Do you remember him?” I ask her, hoping she has good memories of Elijah.

She nods. “He was kind to me.”

“Yep, he’s a good guy.” I say and sadness fills her features.

I turn her, keeping my arm wrapped around her shoulder, heading inside. “What’s that look for?” I ask, leaning my head on top of hers.

would want me now. I’m too damaged.” She

a secret.” I whisper in her ear. “He wanted to come last weekend, but Mason needed him at the pack. He volunteered to come here because he was worried about

over at Lewis who gives

were traumatized and you need to heal, mentally and physically. And that’s what your friends are for. But there is nothing wrong with you, Layan. You’re

is bouncing out of it, rushing over to hug Layan. I frown, looking at her stomach. It’s like in one week she went from having a flat stomach to now having a

back, Layan’s eyes go to her

little girl and we’re so excited. That’s why he was here last weekend. He is very protective of me and our little pup. But he trusts Alpha Davis now, and he knows that Alpha Seth and Beta Elijah are here. I’ve also promised to

says it, her phone buzzes. She looks at the screen before picking up

bit to talk to Asher. “Yep, I just got here. Yep, your girls

where we are because I can tell that Layan is surprised by the level

he’s good to you?” Layan asks

glow on her face sharpening as she refocuses her gaze on Layan. She puts her phone away and walks over to her, taking her hands. “Yes. He is so good to me, and I

to do with this information.

to do this weekend?” I ask her as the three of us

the couches. Now, the four Lunas are taking turns spending time with Alpha Davis and his pack, members as

to my room again, planning to have her sleep with me. Her mother told me that she’d been having nightmares again while we were gone. Hopefully, being close to me and the others will keep her from having the nightmares and allow

tucking Layan into bed when Hana comes in. “How is she?” She asks,

I hope she stays that way.” I say, crawling into bed and sitting with my back against

the bed, tucking up against Layan’s back. “I

her as I stroke Layan’s hair. “How are

Alpha Davis, but some of his pack members are. He does have two she-wolves in their childbearing years and

to figure out how to have someone go there periodically

a trade of sorts? We’re all in an alliance. What if, those who are close to going feral come to our packs for a month or so, keeping them in close proximity with us until we’ve pushed it out. It won’t have the same lasting effect until those packs have their

thinks. I think they pushed the alliance call off until after this weekend because of what is going on, but if he and Mason think it’s a good idea, they could present it to them. And, if we’ve

idea.” She says, getting