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.

touching my lips to hers. I hold myself back from pulling her to me and kissing her

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.

as we catch our breath. “I love you, Layan. You don’t have to say

finger to my lips. “I love you too,

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

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

car pulls away, and it’s not until they turn

waiting for me.

silence for a

that she had to

welcome

I have to, Mason. If anyone else….” My

understand that very well. I’ve asked Jara to 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

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 for her too. She’d be a good Luna. There’s no doubt in my mind that she would. And I know I should want that for her, but

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

Alpha. I don’t know. I can’t control what happens there, but inside the territory, there is 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.

Maybe she chooses only omegas just to give you the edge. You don’t know what it will be like this year. It will be a whole different claiming.”

been running this pack while I was out of it. I’m ready to step back in now,

my Alpha. “But I need to work. The more I work, the

prepping for an attack. We know it’s imminent. Alpha Gunnar won’t let this go.

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