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.

and I used to talk” she puts her fingers up in air quotes, “when you’d walk me back

we talked a lot on those walks.”

turning and lifting her head for a kiss. I may have to lean over her belly now to kiss her properly,

we re-enact one of those moments, when I see Jace sneaking

the change in my mood because she

going?” She

he’s been sneaking off at night. He’s tried

through the

go to him. Maybe he’ll talk to you as his Alpha. Things are still pretty tenuous between Jace, Luke and

you back to the packhouse, then I’ll go see what he’s up to.” I tell her, not

to see what I can find out about Layan and Elijah.” She says, a

her before kissing her nose and jogging out

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

out in the forest,

I say quietly and even though I tried not to startle him, he jumps

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

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

down. A sure sign that

something.

about it?” He looks up at me then shakes his head, no,

with you then?” I ask him.

alone, Alpha, if that’s

sure everyone in my pack is safe, healthy and happy. And right now, one of my pack members isn’t happy.” I say, moving to sit on a fallen tree branch.

and Brynn?” I ask him. It’s only been a couple of months,

not looking at me. When he doesn’t continue. I try another tactic.

are you searching for out

his head shoots up to look at me. “Why do

out.” I tell him, exaggerating the truth a bit, but

kicks the dirt with his shoe. “I don’t want to hurt

says

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

nice to me, but

and we

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