The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 19

McKenna

I had gone to my room after speaking to Luna Jara about Layan. I can’t believe my mother left me in the dark about so many things. Important things. How am I supposed to be any sort of mate or Luna if I don’t know what’s going on? So, I had called my mother.

Title of the document

“Hey honey, how are you? How’s the claiming going?” She had asked me.

I was quiet for a moment thinking about what Katerina told me before tears had started falling again. I had forced myself to stop crying before coming inside the house but when I heard my mother’s voice, they had started again.

“McKenna? McKenna, baby, what happened?” My mother’s worried voice came through the line.

“Why didn’t you tell me momma? Why didn’t you tell me about what really happened with Layan and what really was going on in our previous pack? Why did you hide that from me?”

“Oh sweetheart. Who told you?”

“It doesn’t matter. It should have been you that told me, especially about Layan. Mom, I thought she was acting to get attention. Acting! I thought her panic attacks were all a ploy to get more males interested in her. Mom….I feel like a fool.”

“Oh, hun. I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, wanted to let you know before you left. But after we got here to Alpha Luke’s pack, you’ve been so happy. His pack is so much better than our other pack. The males here are better men. I didn’t want you to be scared going into your claiming. I wanted you to be excited, to enjoy the thrill of the hunt the way it’s supposed to be.”

“But mom, what if I went into this thinking everything would be great and something happened? I would have been completely unprepared. I need to rethink all of the men I’ve already put into my claim.”

chose them for a reason. Follow your heart and your gut. Don’t let what has happened in the past effect your

wanted an Alpha, but…. what if….” I can’t even finish. It was an Alpha that did those horrible

year and probably any year since the claiming process started. If you need to speak to those Alphas again to decide that your instinct is correct, do it. But don’t remove them because

it true what they said about dad wanting to share you and possibly me

He was your father, I didn’t want you to know that he was thinking such disgusting things. I wouldn’t allow him or anyone to

why we ran? Thank you, mom, for always

love you too, sweetheart. Do you need me to come there? I will if you

advice. I’ll speak to the Alphas.” I say, thinking of one in particular that I want to

sweetheart. Call me any

since that call. Today, I needed to speak

the stage after our morning meeting, seeing the disappointment in the eyes of many that have been spending time with

Davis, may I

course, McKenna.” He says and we walk away from the

everything alright? I’ve been surprised you haven’t chosen anyone

look down, not sure how to ask what I

I just recently found out about what truly happened to Layan. I didn’t know when I arrived here.

“I think that’s understandable.”

I felt like I made a connection with. That first night, I had so much fun dancing with you. I felt carefree and relaxed, and I had a really good

well.” I look up at him and see him watching

didn’t tell me the entire story. I didn’t learn about

of having an Alpha claim you?” He asks,

nod, not looking at him. I feel his finger tucking my hair behind my ear before moving to my chin and lifting my head to look at

your fears. What I would tell you is that I know all of the Alphas in this year’s claiming very well. They are all great men and great Alphas. Any of them would make a good mate to you or the others in this year’s claim. None of us even feel close to going feral. I