The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 23

Katerina

The morning that I was scheduled to enter the claiming, I was nervous. It was finally time. I was excited by also nervous. Alpha Luke had told me to find the cave tonight and sleep there. Luna Jara had told me the same. She also told me to carve my name into the wall, that they had started a tradition last year.

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After the morning announcement that I was going into the claiming, I was given a bag of food, mostly freeze-dried meats that had minimal scent and therefore minimal flavor, but still food I would need over the course of the week.

Luna Jara had asked if I wanted anyone to walk me to the entrance, but I told her I was fine. As I walk to the entrance, I am rethinking that. My heart rate is ticking up. One more day. One more day before the hunt is on for me. I can only imagine what it was like last year for Luna Jara or Luna Hana.

when chocolate brown eyes lock with mine. Alpha

shake my head to clear it and turn, getting my mind into the hunt. Luna Jara said to use this first day to learn the lay of

the trees were especially good for hiding. Layan, Mignon and Annabel had also given me some places where they’d found hiding spots.

is most likely the one Jara spent her last couple of minutes in. It’s closest to the entrance and has a large branch near the bottom. Her group was in the claiming haze though, so she sat quietly waiting for her

easily where it comes from underground, or under the fencing of the territory. I take off my shoes and begin to casually walk through the stream, eliminating my scent. Jara created multiple scent

easily get into a tree, or identifying the areas where one of the Lunas said they found a hiding spot. When I get to the end, I realize there is an opening here. I make a note that if I’m being chased, I want to exit the stream before I get to the end, otherwise, I’ll be leaving a scent trail

bit of distance for me to make it to the cliff. I take a deep

watch what is happening below me. And since I didn’t leave a scent trail, I will plan to head back this way to see where people are during the week. If I make it that long. I have three Alphas hunting me. All of them are smart, all of them know the Lunas and have heard the stories of how they were captured, and most of them came across

right into a warrior or omega, getting themselves caught. It’s how my mother was caught by a warrior. She was being chased by two Alphas and they chased her right into the arms of my father, who

others told me about. I also make note of a couple of other cliff faces that Jara and

They’ll find this trail, but it won’t lead them anywhere. I strip off my clothes, putting them in the waterproof

but I wanted to make sure it’s still true. This will be my only time in the cave. If