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.”

claims. I’m sure they are great women, but

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

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

nudge her as Councilman Phillip walks

that she got, watching me as she does.

hand and tap it over my heart before

to hide it. Katerina

having each female introduce themselves. It’s easy to see that McKenna is a flirt. She reminds me a bit of

she had with Jonas and it takes some guts to tell a man like him that she isn’t willing to have him as a mate because of his actions. Jonas has been reeling since that conversation. Katerina is strong. I would

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

see which order

and without looking, Councilman Phillip reaches in and pulls a

at it then looks at us.

all around and I watch as Katerina inclines

He reaches into the bowl again,

“McKenna.”

hoping to get Layan out of here sooner rather than later, but it looks like she’s stuck here

attention is making her uncomfortable. I see her look up at me and I wink at

Katerina, if you will join me, I’d like to know if you have decided on any of your claimants yet.” Phillip says, bringing

She says into the microphone. You could hear a feather drop it’s so quiet on this field

“Go ahead.”

Alpha Luke, Warrior Jake and

one of the warriors and several chuckles from the crowd. Katerina steps back and Phillip gestures for McKenna

you’d like to invite to your

says, her eyes on me,

ahead when