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.

in air quotes, “when you’d walk me back to the female housing during my

lot on those

didn’t.” She says, turning and lifting her head for a kiss. I may have to lean over her belly now to kiss her properly, but I’ll take every opportunity possible to kiss

those moments, when I

in my mood because she turns to

going?”

Luke says he’s been sneaking off at night. He’s tried to talk to him about it, but

through the

to you as his Alpha. Things are still pretty tenuous between Jace, Luke

see what he’s up to.” I tell her, not willing to let her walk alone, even a short

takes my hands. “Go, I’m fine. I’m going to see what I

my head at her before kissing her nose and jogging out the back of the packhouse.

behind him at a leisurely pace. I know he’s not leaving the pack, I just want to make sure that he’s okay. He’s pretty young to have to deal with the loss of both of his

forest, picking something up off the ground.

tried not to startle

He says, looking guilty. Of what, I can’t even

are you doing out here by yourself after dark?” I ask him, slowly approaching

says, looking down. A

something.

been sneaking out every night. Want to talk about it?” He looks up

you

alone, Alpha, if

means that I’m in charge of making sure everyone in my pack is safe, healthy

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

fine.” He says, still not looking at me. When he doesn’t

out here?” I ask him.

look at me. “Why do you think I’m looking for

It’s my job to figure these things out.” I tell him,

shoe. “I

says

“You

They’ve been really nice to me, but

and we can

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