The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 6

Mason

This year’s a*s*sessment seems to be much more intense than any of the years I remember before. The a*s*sessor told me Elijah looked like shit when he came out of his a*s*sessment. I didn’t even see him. I’ve been so busy taking care of the others and keeping an eye on Jara, that I haven’t had a minute to go check on him. When Layan shows up in our pack lands, saying she knew Elijah needed her. I know it isn’t just us. When I have a moment, after sending Jara up to our room to lay down. I call Seth.

Title of the document

“Is it me or is this year’s a*s*sessment worse than usual?” I ask.

“I thought it was just me. This is terrible. My pack members are wrecked. Hana wants to help, but I keep having to tell her to take breaks.”

I tell him about Layan showing up in my pack and what she told me about the a*s*sessors using her in Alpha Davis’s and most likely Elijah’s a*s*sessments.

“So., they know us better, since we’ve become a closer-knit community. They know how to push our pack members to the extreme.” Seth says.

“Yes, but it doesn’t seem like it’s intentionally cruel, although it probably feels like it to them. It feels like they are making sure that these men have control over themselves to ensure that no one gets killed this year and that we don’t have a repeat of last year.”

“I agree. But between you and me, I’m glad I’m not going through a*s*sessment this year.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I say before hanging up.

Thankfully, Jara slept the rest of the afternoon and the a*s*sessments finished for the day before she woke up. When she did, we went to the pack hospital to check her pulse, the babies’ heart rates, anything and everything the doctor felt was necessary. After hearing that momma and babies were healthy, I agreed that she could help again tomorrow, with the same parameters in place.

As we walk back to the packhouse, well, I’m walking, she’s waddling in her cute way. I give her the information that I’ve been waiting to drop on her, knowing she’ll be excited.

“So, Layan is still here, in Elijah’s room. Has been all day.”

She turns to me. “Get out!” She thinks for a minute. “All day?”

“Mmhmm, and I know Elijah is awake because I saw the omegas taking a couple trays of food upstairs.”

do you think they’re doing?” She asks me,

talking. Catching up on old times.”

puts her fingers up in air quotes, “when you’d walk

we talked a lot on those

and sometimes we didn’t.” She says, turning and lifting her head for a kiss. I may have to lean over her belly now

away, about to suggest that we re-enact one of those moments, when I see Jace sneaking out of the packhouse, heading

in my mood because she turns to look in

he going?” She

night. He’s tried to talk

sneaking through the forest

he’ll talk to you as his Alpha. Things are still pretty

what he’s up to.” I tell her, not willing to let her walk alone, even

hands. “Go, I’m fine. I’m going to see what I

at her before kissing her nose and jogging out the back

lift my nose in the air and pick up his scent. I begin to follow behind him at a leisurely pace. I know he’s not leaving the pack, I just want to make sure that he’s okay. He’s pretty young to have to

find him out in the forest, picking something up off the

to startle him, he jumps up, putting his

guilty. Of what, I can’t even

you doing out here by yourself after

He says, looking down. A sure sign that he’s hiding

night. Want to talk about it?” He looks up at me then shakes

if I walk with you

rather be alone,

of making sure everyone in my pack is safe, healthy and happy. And right now, one

like living with Luke and Brynn?” I ask him. It’s only been a couple of months, but I know the transition

at me. When he

you searching for out

me. “Why do you think

Alpha, Jace. It’s my job to figure these things out.” I tell him, exaggerating the truth a bit, but at six

his shoe. “I don’t want

Does he mean his parents’ feelings? “You don’t want to hurt whose

and Brynn’s. They’ve been really nice to me, but I think it would hurt