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?”

not damaged, sweet girl. You were traumatized and you need to heal, mentally and physically. And that’s what your friends are for. But there is

the car 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

notices too, because as Mignon steps back, Layan’s

“You’re….”

little pup. But he trusts Alpha Davis now, and

says it, her phone buzzes. She looks at the screen

picking up the call. “Hi

”

Yep, your girls are safe and sound. I’ll call you tonight. I love you too.”

Layan is surprised by the

you?”

glow on her face sharpening as she refocuses her gaze on Layan. She puts her phone away and

do with this information. She’s not there yet, mentally, so I redirect the

do this weekend?” I ask her as the three of us

on the couches. Now, the four Lunas are taking turns spending time with Alpha Davis and his pack. members

out how 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

bed when Hana comes in. “How

for now. I hope she stays that way.” I say, crawling into bed and sitting with my back against the headboard so I can talk to Hana and still be close to

on the other side of the bed, tucking up against

to her as I stroke Layan’s hair. “How are things in Alpha Quinton’s pack?” I ask.

It doesn’t seem that Alpha Quinton is as far into the feral-fever as Alpha Davis, 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

to figure out how to have someone go there periodically

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, but it could be a way to keep

idea. You should talk to Seth about it tonight and see what he thinks. I think they pushed the alliance 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

She says, getting up to leave.

with you tonight?” She asks,

look at me.