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.

my 50 claimants watching me intently, possessively. They all want to catch me. I’m about to turn away when chocolate brown eyes lock with mine. Alpha Luke. A slow smile spreads across his face, as

and turn, getting my mind into the hunt. Luna Jara said to

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 just need to make sure that the

so she sat quietly

in the cave, I decide to go left and begin my exploration of the territory by the stream. I find it easily where it comes from underground, or under the fencing of the territory. I take

could 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

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

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 at least one of the Lunas during her time in the claiming in one way or

caught. It’s how my mother was caught by a warrior. She was being chased by two Alphas and they chased her

time for me to start heading toward the lake and the cave. I begin leaping through the trees, searching for the hiding spots the others told me about. I also make note of a couple of other cliff faces that Jara

getting tired. I find the tree closest to the lake and leap down. They’ll find this trail, but it won’t lead them anywhere. I strip off

Lunas said that, but I wanted to make sure it’s still true. This will be my 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,