The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 2

The Council by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 58

Elijah

Things are starting to get back to normal. Isabella returned to her pack already and sadly, it’s time for Layan to return as well.

Title of the document

I had tried everything I could think of to keep her here. But today, she’s leaving, and I don’t know when I’ll get to see her again.

“My pack needs me, Elijah. You know that. I’ll see you soon. Plus, you showed me how to video call you, so I can do that now.”

“It’s not the same.” I say, putting my hands on her hips and gently pulling her toward me. I’ve been testing out the ‘I’m not scared of you’ philosophy by doing little things like this. She never flinches when I touch her. I love that.

“I don’t want you to go.” I say. I’m trying to stay strong, but I feel like my heart is breaking. What if this is the last time I get to hold her in my arms. What if someone else claims her this year.

I look into her sweet, soft eyes. “Can I kiss you, Layan?” I ask her, hoping she’ll say yes, but also prepared for her to say no.

A smile graces her face, and she nods her head.

her to me and kissing her passionately like I want to. If this is her first

seam of her lips, and they open, letting me tickle them further, gently sliding my tongue into her mouth. Her sweet taste of apricots nearly brings me to my knees. My hand goes into her hair, and I tilt my head to get a better angle. My other hand wraps around her waist, pulling her to me. Her arms slide around

our breath. “I love you, Layan. You don’t

touches her finger to my lips. “I love you too,

feel my throat close with the emotion I’m feeling. I pull her to me and hug her tightly. I don’t want her to leave. It takes everything in me to stand back and

lips. Yeah, I

the car pulls away, and it’s not until they turn a corner, and I can no longer see her that

Jara are here, having said goodbye for Layan and now, waiting for me. I move to walk past them, my head down. Mason falls into step beside

walk in silence for a

hate that she had to leave.” I

welcome back

If anyone else….” My throat clenches at the thought of anyone else touching her. “I

be there for her meeting with the council. They want to wait until it’s closer to the time of the claiming, to give her time to heal and to feel more comfortable, but we don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe they’ll let

my head. “They won’t. They can’t. There are still too many of us who need and want mates. Not to mention, I’m up against at least one Alpha. And I’d be surprised if Alpha Luke and Alpha Quinton didn’t try

wants to. And sometimes, that makes the difference. Look at Hana. She chose Seth. When she was

for you and me. We were working together for the pack. We knew Luna Jara wanted you and I wanted Layan, even back then. This will be different. Alpha Davis, Alpha Luke and Alpha Quinton won’t be helping me

Maybe she chooses only omegas just to give you the edge. You

take some time, Elijah, do it. You’ve been running this pack while I was out of it. I’m ready to step back in now,

work. The more I work, the faster this year’s claiming will come. And hopefully, the sooner the

know it’s imminent. Alpha Gunnar won’t let this go. We have all the she-wolves, we killed the

take care of Jara. I need to know that you will look after