The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 12

Jara

The difference between this year’s claiming and last year’s is evident on the first night. Like last year, we have a welcome dinner where everyone attends. However, rather than wearing their finest gowns, this year is a more casual affair. Everyone still dresses up, but not to the level that we did last year. This isn’t a pageantry.

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Layan had been terrified of walking into the dining room alone, so Mignon and I had held her hands and walked in with her. Unlike Katerina and McKenna who decided to sit at a table with a bunch of claimants and begin to get to know their possible contenders. Layan chose to sit with us. ‘Us’ just happened to include Elijah and Davis.

Annabel arrived earlier, but being very pregnant, she decided to skip the dinner tonight and rest in their room.

I look over at Layan and Mignon. “I heard from Seth. Hana had her little girl a few hours ago. They named her Harper. Momma and baby are healthy and doing well.” I tell them.

That gets the expected ‘ahhhs’ from both Mignon and Layan “I hope we get to meet her.” Mignon says, gently rocking the baby carrier in the chair beside her.

“You guys should all start planning play dates for your daughters to play together. They will all be around the same ages. They should grow up as friends.” Layan says.

“That’s a great idea.” Mignon says.

had been talking to Asher, but he got distracted by a dirty diaper and

all of our combined packs, maybe we should start considering a community education program. Most of us live within an hour or so drive from each

is a great idea. The pups in our pack are all different ages. Trying to educate them all at their different levels is really hard. If we had a centralized school, we could probably find enough teachers

build a school. We could figure out transportation, especially from the packs that are farther away, to make sure all

project, interview staff interested in becoming teachers, it could be a good alternative for omegas that aren’t strong enough to

the project.” Layan says and we all stop and look at her. She shrugs. “All of you have pups, and/or you’re busy running packs. I have time and it

you liked cooking.” Davis

there’s only so many different ways that you can make chicken.”

she called it a blah-blah. So, if she

I’m that

you are.” Elijah says, watching her intently. “But, if you feel passionately about helping to build a school,

find what you want to

not sure Layan feels it, but there is an underlying current of competition in the words being spoken by Elijah and Davis. It’s almost

cutting off whatever

there?” Mason says, looking

eyes get dark and he takes my hand, kissing my knuckles, his eyes never leaving mine. “Do you dance, Layan?” Mignon asks.

early, my love.” He says, smiling at

She

you dance?” Elijah returns the conversation back to