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.

to turn away when chocolate brown eyes lock with mine. Alpha Luke. A slow smile spreads across his face, as if he knows he’s just captured me in his

getting my mind into the hunt. Luna Jara said to use this first day to learn the lay of the land, and I intend

and Layan had outlined parts of the territory for me, the lake with the cave, the stream, the cliff with the watering hole at the top and several areas where the trees were especially good for hiding. Layan, Mignon and Annabel had also given me some places where they’d found hiding spots. Now, I

Her group was in the claiming haze though, so she sat quietly waiting for her time to be near. I won’t have that,

fencing of the territory. I take off my shoes and begin to casually walk through the stream, eliminating my scent. Jara created multiple scent trails in her claim, but I plan to do the opposite. I

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

up. I begin to carefully make my way to the back of the claiming territory. This is where Jara said the cliff with the watering hole is. Once I get there, I see that there is a bit of distance for me to make it to the cliff. I take a deep breath and run as far as the branch will let me, leaping into the air and just landing on the cliff. I tuck and roll as I land and as

using this opportunity to get some fresh water and look down on the territory below me. This will be a great spot to 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

also heard stories of how she- wolves running from Alphas, have run 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

of a couple of other

and leap down. They’ll find this trail, but it won’t lead them anywhere. I strip off

only time in the cave. If I’m cornered up there, there is only one way to escape. Leaping off the cliff into the waterfall. I’m a good swimmer, but I have no idea if there are any rock formations under the surface of the waterfall and I won’t risk breaking a bone. There would be no way to avoid capture at that point, and I intend to leave the claiming territory unmarked. Luna Jara almost made it, and now