The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 29. Jan

Jara

When I arrive back in Alpha Davis’s pack, I’m glad to see that Layan looks considerably better than she did when we left her last weekend. However, when she walks up to hug me, holding me so tightly that I can barely breathe, I know that it’s only on the surface.

That’s okay, it’s a start and every small step forward is still a step forward.

I see Elijah watching her as he pulls my bags out of the car, his jaw tense. It’s probably a good thing that he didn’t see her last weekend if her current state is affecting him like this.

“Am I the first one here?” I ask her as she finally pulls away.

“Yes. I heard that Alpha Seth will be joining us this weekend instead of Alpha Asher.” She says. She looks past me, a frown. forming on her face.

“Is that Beta Elijah?” She asks me quietly.

I turn, seeing him ducking his head, smiling that she remembers him. “It is. He’s here as part of my guard duty this weekend. Do you remember him?” I ask her, hoping she has good memories of Elijah.

She nods. “He was kind to me.”

“Yep, he’s a good guy.” I say and sadness fills her features.

I turn her, keeping my arm wrapped around her shoulder, heading inside. “What’s that look for?” I ask, leaning my head on top of

hers.

“No one that nice would want me now. I’m too damaged.” She says and I see a tear drop from her eyes.

“I’ll tell you a secret.” I whisper in her ear. “He wanted to come last weekend, but Mason needed him at the pack. He volunteered to come here because he was worried about you. And you also caught the eye of my other guard, Lewis.” I tell her.

She tilts her head, looking over at Lewis who gives her a smile. “Really?”

and you need to heal, mentally and physically. And that’s what your friends are for.

stops, Mignon is bouncing out of it, rushing over to hug Layan. I frown, looking at her stomach. It’s like in one week she went from having a flat stomach to now having a pronounced baby bump, like her little girl just suddenly popped out, announcing herself to the

back, Layan’s eyes go to

“You’re….”

weekend. He is very protective of me and our little pup. But he trusts Alpha Davis now, and he knows that Alpha Seth and Beta Elijah are here. I’ve also promised to call him a minimum of twice a day

she says it, her phone buzzes. She

the call. “Hi baby.”

”

“Yep, I just got here. Yep, your girls are safe and sound. I’ll call you tonight. I love you too.” She says

can tell that Layan is surprised by the

you?” Layan

phone away and walks over

know what to do with this information. She’s not there yet,

I ask her as the three

mostly quiet again. We have a lot of movie time with the five of us piled on the couches. Now, the four Lunas are taking turns spending time with

things are going in Alpha Quinton’s pack. Layan falls asleep against me, like she did last weekend. I carry her to my room again, planning to have her sleep with me. Her mother told me that she’d been having nightmares again while we were gone. Hopefully, being close to me and the others will keep her from having the nightmares and allow her to get some

bed when Hana comes in. “How is

crawling into bed and sitting with my back against the headboard so I can talk

to sit on the other side of the bed, tucking up against Layan’s back.

her as I stroke Layan’s hair. “How are things in Alpha Quinton’s

but some of his pack members are. He does have two she-wolves in their childbearing years and both of them have one young she-wolf along with a bunch of sons. Neither of them are ranked members and your mother

to figure out how to have someone go there periodically to help ease

if we do a trade of sorts? We’re all in an alliance. What if, those who are close to going feral come to our packs for a month or so, keeping them in close proximity with us until we’ve pushed it out. It won’t have the same lasting effect until those packs have their own Luna to help,

call off until after this weekend because of what is going on, but if he and Mason think it’s a good idea, they could present it to them.

getting up

here with you tonight?” She asks, turning to

look at me.