The Claiming by Cooper

Layans Retum Chapter 13: Davis

288 Vouchers

Davis

I like Elijah, I really do, but I’m about ready to punch him in his boy-next- door face. I’ve been clear that I want Layan. I know she has feelings for Elijah, but she has feelings for me too. Maybe those feelings aren’t as strong for me as they are for Elijah, but that’s because I haven’t had as much time with her.

I had put my name in for her lottery last year, but I wasn’t chosen. Like everyone else, I had watched the horror unfold when she came out of the territory. I’ll admit, to myself at least, that I had the same thought as every other male last year, that she was damaged. What kind of Luna would she make after what happened to her?

Then, I got to know her. I got to know her sweet, gentle nature. I realized that her strength may not be physical, but this woman has an inner strength that few have. So, yes, I want her to be my Luna. But, that doesn’ t mean that I’m willing to risk my chance with the other two.

McKenna is from Gamma blood and it’s obvious in the way she responds to those around her. I’ve never spent any time with her, but I intend to tonight. Just the way that she has her table laughing tells me that she would be a good addition to any pack. More importantly, she’d be a good Luna, someone the pack would feel comfortable with.

Then there is Katerina. Her father may have been a warrior, but Isabella comes from a long line of royal Alpha blood in Europe. Her bloodline alone makes her an impressive candidate. But add that to her confidence and strength, and she’s a perfect Luna.

I look back at Layan watching her talk to Jara. I shouldn’t want her as much as I do. But there is something about Layan, something that draws you in. And it’s not just me. Every eligible Alpha here is planning to court her. And that doesn’t include the Betas, Elijah for sure but also Jared,

Alpha Jonas’s brother. Both of them plan to be in her claiming as well, if she chooses them.

Tomorrow, we find out the order of the females going into the claiming territory. I don’t intend to exclude myself from any of the claimings, so I hope that Layan’s is first. That way, if I don’t claim her, I’d feel better about taking one of the others as a mate. If I can catch them.

As dinner comes to an end, they push the tables back, making room on the dance floor, and the music begins playing. I stand, looking at Layan. She looks up at me and smiles her sweet, beautiful smile. It’s hard not to respond in kind when she looks at you that way.

hers. When I get to

dance, Layan?” I say, extending my

I pull her to

call

her beautiful blush. “Yes,

turn to smile. I see that Luke has wasted no time is asking Katerina

that she would feel comfortable during the coming events. Several nights, there will be

around the room. She

eye, I see Mason pull Jara onto

her up and is holding her against him, so that they are face to face as he moves around the dance

housed this with year with so many babies?” I ask her, keeping

the babies, I’m sure that I

a frown cross her features and I pull her closer to me. “Hey, you know if you can’t sleep, you can

that, just as I’d hoped.

“You’re welcome, Layan.”

I’m about to turn and take her back to the table, when, not surprisingly,

this dance?” He asks. I have a moment of jealousy as I see her eyes shine brighter for him than they do for me. But I push it aside. I’m here to find my mate. I hope it’s her, but if she

Layan to Elijah and turn, heading toward Katerina. Before I can get there, Quinton snags her. I turn and see McKenna. I veer over and bow in front of her. “Gamma McKenna. May I have this

honored.” She says. I’m thrilled she knows who I