The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 16

Elijah

The moment I saw Layan, I hadn’t looked away. I knew there was a strong possibility that she would have a panic attack, and she did.

Title of the document

The minute I realize she is having difficulty, I start purring. At first, it doesn’t seem like she can hear me. I know from talking to her, that when she gets like this, she can’t hear anything around her. So, I purr louder, louder than I’ve ever purred before.

The moment she looks at me, I know I’ve got her. I’m her lifeline, something to anchor her to the here and now. I hold her gaze, letting her know she’s not alone.

It doesn’t take the others long to figure out what’s going on and to add their purrs to mine. I’m not sure I could be any prouder of her than when she pulls her shoulders back and walks up those stairs. I can’t even imagine how much strength it took for her to do that.

My eyes never leave her as she walks over to stand next to the other two females. I hadn’t bothered to ask either of them to dance last night. I’m here for one person and one person only.

Layan.

Councilman Phillip begins reviewing the rules of the claiming. The first two rules have changed. There is no lottery. The females get to choose their claimants and social gatherings will occur regardless of whether or not you’ve been selected for the female’s claim. That is until their claim is full.

The last three rules are the same mate mark must be in the marking spot on the neck to be valid, you must mark in the same form as the female (wolf or human) at the time of the marking, and you can’t mate the female after she passes out.

“In addition, we’ve added Rule #6: Anyone who kills another claimant or person in the claiming, will be subject to removal from the claiming process, exclusion from all future claims and possibly death.” Councilman Phillip says. There’s a bit of grumbling about this. Everyone knew that killing would not be allowed this year, but we hadn’t heard about the potential to be executed.

“Now, before we get started, if anyone chooses to be removed from any or all of the females’ claims, you may go over to the tables behind you and have your names removed.”

remove myself from McKenna and Katerina’s claims. I’m sure

walk to the table and tell them I only want to be included in Layan’s claim. Last year, when Mason did this with Jara, I thought it was crazy. Now, I feel like I have a much better understanding of why he did this. There is not now, nor will there ever be

her claim. When everyone is done, they give the notes to the females of the males that want to be excluded from their claims. Not surprisingly, Layan got several, where it looks like the other two only got mine. I see McKenna’s head snap up in my direction, but I don’t look at her. I watch as Layan looks at hers. She quickly goes through them and when she doesn’t see my name, she looks up at me, giving me one of her sweet smiles, the kind that’s impossible not

Katerina nudge her as Councilman Phillip

shows Layan the slip that she got, watching me as she does.

over my heart before pointing at her.

though she ducks her head and tries to hide it. Katerina gives me a knowing look before turning back to watch Councilman Phillip. I notice that

themselves. It’s easy to see that McKenna is a flirt. She

tell a man like him that she isn’t willing to have him as a

quietly introduces herself. She looks up and makes eye contact with Alpha Davis and I just catch

which order the claimings will

all three names and without looking, Councilman Phillip reaches

at it then looks at

and I watch

reaches into the bowl

“McKenna.”

again. I sigh. I was hoping to get Layan out of here sooner rather than later, but it looks

There are more cheers and I can tell all this attention is making her uncomfortable. I see her look up at me and

Katerina, if you will join me, I’d like to know if you have decided on any of your claimants

I have.” She says into the microphone. You could hear

“Go ahead.”

Quinton, Alpha Luke, Warrior

from one of the warriors and several chuckles from the crowd. Katerina steps

any males that you’d like to invite

her

ahead when