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.

down and look at the remains of the fire. This

but I never did. The woman is amazing, capable of kindness to others,

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

to hunt her, not after what she suffered here last year. I won’t be the reason that

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,

It’s nearly as quiet in here as it

she’s scared or feeling lonely, so I do what I’ve done every night. I howl, letting her know that I’m

know it, but my howl is not about me. It’s about her knowing

me. As I fall asleep, I hear her voice, soft and quiet in the night. ‘Goodnight,

again, searching for her. Her scent trails are getting more intricate each day. It’s almost as if she’s up all night, leaving trails and sleeping during the

decision. Today will be the turning point in my life. I will either walk out of

tracking her for days, I know which trails are a dead end. I’ve been strategically maneuvering myself to where her true hiding spot is. She’s almost exactly in the

alone in the territory here. If I had to guess, I’d say that’s her ground zero, a beacon drawing me to her. There must be a

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

come out.” I say quietly,

a moment, then I hear her rustling around

at me. “Are you going to claim what you’ve rightfully

shake my head.

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

that I’ve ever wanted in my life.”

to mine. “Then, why? Why won’t you claim

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 here, in

you saying, Elijah?”

rest of our lives. I want you so much that it hurts, Layan. But I won’t take that choice from you.

the salt of her tears. “You want me to claim you?” She