The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 17

Jara

I was so happy when everyone at Layan’s claiming tried to calm her. What a difference from last year. Hana and I couldn’t have been less enthusiastic, but both McKenna and Katerina seem happy, excited even. Layan proved once again how much inner strength she has by getting on that stage and choosing her first two candidates. I don’t think anyone was surprised by her choices.

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Elijah caught up to us as we left and walked with us, well, mostly Layan back to our housing. Unlike last year, anyone is welcome in the house. However, everyone is also aware that there are three Alphas and Lunas staying here with their new pups, so no one is stupid enough to try to force their way inside.

I go up to our room, finding my mother who has just put the twins down for a nap. I’m so lucky and thankful to have her here.

She puts her finger to her lips, telling us to be quiet. Mason and I walk over to the cribs, stroking our babies’ cheeks and hair before leaving them to sleep.

When we step out of the room, my mom turns to us. “I heard from Seth. He and Hana will be coming later this week. Hana is dying to get here to support Layan.” “Of course she is.” I say, knowing I’d be the same.

“Let’s go grab some lunch while it’s quiet.” Mason says.

outside. I don’t think anything of it until I hear Layan’s name. Being the protective woman that I am, especially

wants

don’t understand. Why wouldn’t he at least put his name

does that

saying, when I was in my previous pack,

with this conversation. “Your previous pack, McKenna, also wanted to enslave you and your mother, force you into a mate bond and were willing to use both of you as breeders. Your mother left when she started hearing that your father and Alpha were planning to share her with the other ranked members in the pack. Is that the life you want for yourself? To be shared, even if it’s against your will, with all the ranked members of your pack?” I ask her. She

did you mean then?” I

uncomfortably. “It’s just, well, it seems like she’s trying to gain sympathy. She had the attention of every male in the claiming today. That doesn’t seem like something someone would do if they are as shy as she claims

know what happened to her last year,

feral while he was in his wolf form. I get that it may be a bit traumatic, but really, it’s not like she was forced to keep him as a mate. He was

in. “Is that all you were told?”

me and Katerina. “What

her Luna, but not here. I know

confused. “That’s fine. But I will say this. Elijah loves Layan. Her rank doesn’t matter

closer to the forest.

you all riled up, my little Luna?”

“McKenna.”

his confusion. “What about

told her about what truly happened to Layan. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I think it is. She was basically saying that Layan was putting on a show today

“Easy Jara. I know how protective you are of her. If she didn’t know, then you can’t put the blame solely on her.”