The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 3

Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 35

Elijah

On the morning of Layan’s claim, Mason joins me.

Title of the document

“I’d like you to reconsider. If things don’t go the way you hope…”

I’m already shaking my head before he finishes. “I can’t. And you, of all people, should understand that.” He grits his teeth.

“I do, but I don’t’ want to lose you. You’re a great Beta, and a better friend.”

“Then wish me luck.” I tell him.

His hand comes down on my shoulder. “Bring her home, Elijah.”

When the gun goes off, the others run into the territory. I walk in, taking my time. But as soon as I hit the forest line, I smell it, the scent trails. They are everywhere. I close my eyes and smile. She did this for me. In one of our discussions, she asked me what I would have done with my life if I hadn’t been a Beta. I told her that my family had come from a long line of trackers. I can pretty much hunt anyone, anywhere. I’m not as good at is as some of my other family members, but I’m better than most.

I begin walking, take a deep breath, finding the strongest of the scents and I begin to follow it. Last year, there were 75 of us in the Hana’s claiming and nearly 200 in Jara’s. While I can track well, I don’t have the ability to track a scent that has been stomped over by multiple males, basically covering the female’s scent.

This year, that isn’t a problem. There are only nine other men in Layan’s claiming, and they all went running for the lake and the cave.

I follow the scent that leads me to the burned-out fire. I look around, seeing how she scorched the area. I wasn’t here last year, I didn’t see it happen, but I heard about it, like everyone else did.

made until I find where her scent is strongest. Then I squat down and

kindness to others, even when she’s afraid for herself. She has never let her fear overrule her desire to help

She took control of the past, burned it so there is nothing left but

after what she suffered here last year. I won’t be the reason that those memories, that

many scent trails she has created. This territory is large, large enough that I’ll be surprised if I run into any of her other claimants this week. I close my eyes again, taking a deep breath,

here as it was for Katerina’s claim. I wonder if that’s intentional. Layan hand- picked these men. All of them have been kind to her in one way or another.

or feeling lonely, so I do what I’ve done every

I know it, but my howl is not

swear I feel someone watching me. As I fall asleep, I hear her voice,

scent trails are getting more intricate each day. It’s almost as if she’s up

Today will be the turning point in my life. I will either walk out of here with my mate, or I will leave her and my pack

to where her true hiding spot is. She’s almost exactly in the middle of the

her ground zero, a beacon drawing me

of the tree line, stepping into the clearing in front of the cliff. I can smell her. She’s definitely close. I continue to sniff around until I find

say quietly, and I step

for a moment, then I hear her rustling around before

going to claim what you’ve

my

the hurt flash in her eyes before she looks down. “You don’t want me?” She asks

than anything that I’ve ever wanted in my life.”

to mine. “Then, why? Why won’t

“Layan, I will gladly hunt you every day for the rest of our lives. I will nip at your heels and happily chase you all over our pack lands. But not here. I refuse to hunt you

are you saying, Elijah?” She

that it hurts, Layan. But I won’t take that choice from you. So, I want you to choose me. Claim me and make me yours so I know that you

of her tears. “You want me