The Claiming by Cooper

The Council Chapter 58 Elijah

Elijah

Things are starting to get back to normal. Isabella returned to her pack already and sadly, it’s time for Layan to return as well.

I had tried everything I could think of to keep her here. But today, she’s leaving, and I don’t know when I’ll get to see her again.

“My pack needs me, Elijah. You know that. I’ll see you soon. Plus, you showed me how to video call you, so I can do that now.”

“It’s not the same.” I say, putting my hands on her hips and gently pulling her toward me. I’ve been testing out the ‘I’m not scared of you‘ philosophy by doing little things like this. She never flinches when I touch her. I love that.

“I don’t want you to go.” I say. I’m trying to stay strong, but I feel like my heart is breaking. What if this is the last time I get to hold her in my arms. What if someone else claims her this year.

I look into her sweet, soft eyes. “Can I kiss you, Layan?” I ask her, hoping she’ll say yes, but also prepared for her to say no.

A smile graces her face, and she nods her head.

Never taking my eyes off of hers, I lean in, touching my lips to hers. I hold myself back from pulling her to me and kissing her passionately like I want to. If this is her first kiss, I want to make it memorable, special, something she wants more of, hopefully dreams about.

I gently slide my tongue over the seam of her lips, and they open, letting me tickle them further, gently sliding my tongue into her mouth. Her sweet taste of apricots nearly brings me to my knees. My hand goes into her hair, and I tilt my head to get a better angle. My other hand wraps

around her waist, pulling her to me. Her arms slide around my neck, and we kiss until we both come up gasping for air.

I lean my forehead against her as we catch our breath. “I love you, Layan. You don’t have to say anything, I just…”

touches her finger to my lips. “I love you too, Elijah.”

her to me and hug her tightly. I don’t want her to leave.

car, watching as she puts her fingers to her lips. Yeah, I can still feel her warm lips and taste her sweet apricots

not until they turn a corner, and I can no longer see

Jara are here, having said goodbye for Layan and now, waiting for me. I move to walk

walk in silence for

hate that she had to leave.” I

welcome

anyone else….” My throat clenches at the thought of anyone else touching

the time of the claiming,

“They won’t. They can’t. There are still too many of us

one Alpha. And I’d be surprised if Alpha Luke and Alpha Quinton didn’t try for her too. She’d be a good Luna. There’s no doubt in my mind that she would. And I know I should want that

to me like that’s what she wants to. And sometimes, that makes the difference. Look at Hana. She chose Seth. When she was cornered, she ran to him and chose him. You

you and me. We were working together for the pack. We knew Luna Jara wanted you and I wanted Layan, even back then. This will be different. Alpha Davis, Alpha Luke and

She still has to choose to allow them into her claiming. She may not. Maybe she chooses only omegas just to give you the edge. You don’t know what it will be like this

pack while I was out of it. I’m ready to step back in now, so if you want to get away, take some time, whatever you need right now,

me as my friend, not my Alpha. “But I need to work. The more I work, the faster this year’s claiming

Alpha Gunnar won’t let this

and holding me in place. “If

I trust the pack,

I say. He may think our Luna will survive his death, but I

has no problem stealing another Alpha’s Luna. If anything happens to me, she’s at risk. Can I trust that you will protect her?” He asks and I can see his fear for Jara in his eyes. He’s not worried about himself, he’s not even worried about dying, he’s worried about what his death might

I say, looking him in the eye so he knows I mean