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.

is close by, having followed the same trail that I did. I’m not paying attention to my surroundings, simply following the scent when I realize, I’m almost back to the lake. She doubled back and now,

rest 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

settle, I follow a trail back to the lake. I decide to head up to the cave,

male been 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,

now, I know why it’s not a great idea to be in more than one. I’m exhausted. And if I don’t claim McKenna, I’ll be going up against a very well- rested Elijah

see someone has lit a fire. There are a couple of omegas loitering around, probably hoping to see something from up here. I

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 hard on her, but

the sounds of the night and the territory. I can hear the hunt continuing for those that are still fresh. I would guess that somewhere, Quinton is finding his own place to rest as he too as

does, I listen, wondering

any better. She, unlike me, can’t even

in the territory, we’re not on top of each other. It helps to be able to search without the scent trails getting overwhelmed by the scents of males traipsing

Howls continue to go up periodically, but none are from Alphas, so I listen, but don’t expect that

finding scent trails, following them, until I no longer can tell the direction she was going. Some trails smell more fresh than others while some start fresh but end

of the hunt go up. This time,

hear a second howl. Someone else, possibly Jared, but maybe Quinton

begin to quickly move in the direction of the howls, listening to the crashing sounds of the forest. If I’m right, McKenna is running scared. Someone has flushed her out of her hiding spot or wherever she was and

from her scent