The Claiming by Cooper

Chapter 161

Layan’s Retum Chapter 6 Mason

Mason

This year’s assessment seems to be much more intense than any of the years I remember before. The assessor told me Elijah looked like shit when he came out of his assessment. I didn’t even see him. I’ve been so busy taking care of the others and keeping an eye on Jara, that I haven’t had a minute to go check on him.

When Layan shows up in our pack lands, saying she knew Elijah needed her. I know it isn’t just us. When I have a moment, after sending Jara up to our room to lay down. I call Seth.

“Is it me or is this year’s assessment worse than usual?” I ask.

“I thought it was just me. This is terrible. My pack members are wrecked. Hana wants to help, but I keep having to tell her to take breaks.”

I tell him about Layan showing up in my pack and what she told me about the assessors using her in Alpha Davis’s and most likely Elijah’s

assessments.

“So. they know us better, since we’ve become a closer-knit community. They know how to push our pack members to the extreme.” Seth says.

“Yes, but it doesn’t seem like it’s intentionally cruel, although it probably feels like it to them. It feels like they are making sure that these men have control over themselves to ensure that no one gets killed this year and that we don’t have a repeat of last year.”

“I agree. But between you and me, I’m glad I’m not going through assessment this year.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I say before hanging up.

Thankfully, Jara slept the rest of the afternoon and the assessments finished for the day before she woke up. When she did, we went to the pack hospital to check her pulse, the babies’ heart rates, anything and everything the doctor felt was necessary. After hearing that momma and babies were healthy, I agreed that she could help again tomorrow, with the same parameters in place.

As we walk back to the packhouse, well, I’m walking, she’s waddling in her cute way. I give her the information that I’ve been waiting to drop on her, knowing she’ll be excited.

“So, Layan is still here, in Elijah’s room. Has been all day.”

She turns to me. “Get out!” She thinks for a minute. “All day?”

“Mmhmm, and I know Elijah is awake because I saw the omegas taking a couple trays of food upstairs.”

“What do you think they’re doing?” She asks me, slyly

“I’m sure they’re just talking. Catching up on old times.” I say, smiling.

to talk” she puts her fingers up in air quotes, “when you’d walk me back to the female housing

talked a lot on those

may have to lean over her belly now to kiss her

one of those moments, when

change in my mood because she turns

going?” She asks.

says he’s been sneaking off at night. He’s tried to talk to

through the forest trees for a moment.

you as his

take you back to the packhouse, then I’ll go see what he’s up to.” I tell her, not willing to let her walk alone, even a short distance.

inside, she takes my hands. “Go, I’m fine. I’m going to see what I can find out

nose and jogging out the back

leaving the pack, I just want to make sure that he’s okay. He’s pretty

find him out in the forest,

quietly and even though I tried not to startle him, he jumps up, putting his hands

guilty. Of what, I can’t even imagine.

after dark?”

says, looking down. A sure sign that he’s

something.

says you’ve been sneaking out every night. Want to talk about

with you then?” I

rather be alone, Alpha,

the Alpha of that pack. That means that I’m in charge of making sure everyone in my pack is safe, healthy and happy. And

and Brynn?” I ask him. It’s only been a couple of months, but I know the transition has

says, still not looking at me.

you searching for out here?”

at me. “Why do you think I’m looking for something?” He

tell him, exaggerating the truth a bit, but at six years old, he won’t know

his shoe. “I don’t

says

Does he mean his parents’ feelings? “You don’t want to hurt

really nice to me, but I think it would hurt their feelings.

what it is, and we can decide together

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