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.”

Follow your heart and your gut. Don’t let what has happened in the past effect your claiming. I want you to enjoy

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

The Lunas have made sure that this event is much safer than last year and probably any year since the claiming process started. If you need to speak to those Alphas again to

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

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

mom, for

me

I’ll take your advice. I’ll speak to the Alphas.” I say, thinking of

Call me any

claiming since that call. Today, I needed

the disappointment in the eyes

may I speak

course, McKenna.” He says and we walk away

haven’t chosen anyone else

down, not sure how to ask what I

happened to Layan. I

“I think that’s understandable.”

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

look up at him and see him watching

She didn’t tell me the entire story. I didn’t

of having an Alpha

behind my ear

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