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.

to me and kissing her passionately

tongue over the 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

as we catch our breath. “I

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

to me and hug her tightly. I don’t want her to leave.

she puts her fingers to her lips. Yeah, I can still feel her warm lips and taste her sweet

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

here, having said goodbye for Layan and now, waiting for me. I move to walk

in silence

that she had

know. She’s welcome back any

her. I have to, Mason. If anyone else….” My throat clenches at the thought of anyone

the time of the claiming, to give her time to

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

at Hana. She chose Seth. When she was cornered, she ran to him and chose him. You never know

no alliance, there is no working together. It was different 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

forget. She still has to choose to allow them into her claiming. She may not. Maybe she chooses only omegas just to give you the edge. You don’t know what

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

as my friend, not my Alpha. “But I need to work. The more I work, the faster this year’s

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

you need to take care of Jara. I need to know that you will look after her. I trust the pack, but you are the one that has the best chance of protecting her, just like you