The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 31

Davis

I’ve been so worried about McKenna since she entered the territory. She seemed so carefree, so happy at the idea of being caught by her mate. I’m not sure what changed, but whatever it was, it wasn’t for the better.

Title of the document

When the gun went off announcing the beginning of the hunt, we all ran toward the cave. I have to admit, Jonas and Jared have a considerable advantage over me and Quinton. Katerina ran us ragged in her hunt. We all searched, nearly non-stop for her. With barely any sleep, one day of rest wasn’t enough. I had planned to sleep in my bed one more night until I heard McKenna’s heart- wrenching howl. I knew then that it didn’t matter how tired I was, she needed me, an Alpha, and possibly her future mate. And I wasn’t going to let her down.

As I run toward the cave, the Alphas and Jared pull ahead of the others, being faster and stronger by nature. However, Jonas and Jared pull ahead of both me and Quinton. At first, I thought they were working together, something that I know Mason and Elijah did last year in Jara’s claim. But as I watch, I realize they are both here for themselves. They both want a mate and since they weren’t invited to Layan’s claim, this is their one and only chance this year.

When we get to the lake, I smell a trail moving away from the cave. While Jonas and Jared begin racing up the cliff to the cave, I turn, heading left, deeper into the territory as I follow McKenna’s scent. I haven’t gotten far when the howl of the hunt goes up behind me. Someone else has decided that this trail is the one to follow and their howl will only bring others.

I begin running faster, wanting to catch her before anyone else does. Her trail is erratic, running in different directions, brushing against bushes and around trees before moving off again. I can’t tell if she’s running scared or if she’s actually trying to throw us off her trail. Either way, it’s working. I can tell the wolves behind me are getting confused with her scent trail moving in different directions and rarely moving in straight lines which is more typical for an animal being hunted.

scent when

of the day. Periodically, I hear the howls of the hunt as someone thinks they’ve found her. I always listen, but I don’t believe it. I’ve found several hiding spots with

the lake. I decide to head up to the

in more than one claim each year. With the lottery, it was highly unlikely that you’d get pulled for one claim, much less more than one. The only possibility of that was last year and three years ago when Jara and her sister were in the claiming and every eligible male was able to join in the hunt. Last year, however, there were days between the claims. After each claim, they would clean

don’t claim McKenna, I’ll be going up against a very well- rested Elijah in Layan’s claim. There’s little chance that I will be able to defeat him in

couple of omegas loitering around, probably hoping to see something from up here. I walk

the addition of McKenna’s line. I’m not surprised that she’ writes about being alone. Wolves are not solitary creatures. We don’t like being alone. It’s why we live in packs. I know last night was

of the night and the territory. I can hear the hunt continuing for those that are still fresh.

all through the night. Each time it does, I listen, wondering if they’ve really caught her

fitful night’s sleep, but I imagine that McKenna’s isn’t any better. She, unlike me, can’t even rest unless she

morning, I get up and shift, catching a couple of rabbits to before shifting back and beginning my hunt again. With only 50 of us in the territory, we’re not on top of each other. It helps to be able to search without the scent trails

of the day searching for McKenna. Howls continue to go up periodically, but none are from Alphas, so I listen, but don’t

finding scent trails, following them, until I no longer can tell the direction she was going. Some trails smell more

when I hear the howl of the

Someone else, possibly Jared, but maybe Quinton has caught her scent as well and is on the

of the forest. If I’m right, McKenna is running scared. Someone has flushed her out of her hiding spot or wherever she was

listening, trying to figure out what direction she’s going in. I know from her scent trails that she