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.

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

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 you. And you also caught the eye of my other guard,

tilts her head, looking over at Lewis who gives

mentally and physically. And that’s what your friends are for. But there is nothing wrong with you, Layan. You’re not damaged.” I say, turning as

entrance of the packhouse to see who it is. As soon as the car stops, Mignon is bouncing out of it, rushing over to hug Layan. I frown, looking at her stomach. It’s like in one

Mignon steps back, Layan’s eyes go to her

a 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 call him a minimum of twice a

it, her phone buzzes. She looks at

to talk to Asher. “Yep, I just got here. Yep, your girls are safe and sound. I’ll call you tonight. I love you too.” She

tell that Layan is

to you?”

gaze on Layan. She puts her phone away and walks over to her,

this information. She’s not there yet, mentally, so I redirect the

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

piled on the couches. Now, the four Lunas are taking turns spending time with Alpha Davis and his

to Brynn and my mother, finding out how things are going in Alpha Quinton’s pack. Layan falls asleep against me, like she did last weekend. I carry her to my room again, planning to

in. “How is she?” She

say, crawling into bed and sitting with my back against the headboard so I can

of the bed, tucking up against Layan’s

I stroke Layan’s hair. “How are things in Alpha Quinton’s pack?”

their childbearing years and both of them have one young she-wolf along with a bunch

someone go there periodically to help ease their feral-fever.”

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 own Luna to help, but it could be a way to keep our numbers from dropping over the next year. Seth told me they lost at

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

idea.” She says, getting up