The Claiming by Cooper

Layan’s Return Chapter 19. McKenna

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McKenna

I had gone to my room after speaking to Luna Jara about Layan. I can’t believe my mother left me in the dark about so many things. Important things. How am I supposed to be any sort of mate or Luna if I don’t know what’s going on? So, I had called my mother.

“Hey honey, how are you? How’s the claiming going?” She had asked me.

I was quiet for a moment thinking about what Katerina told me before tears had started falling again. I had forced myself to stop crying before coming inside the house but when I heard my mother’s voice, they had started again.

“McKenna? McKenna, baby, what happened?” My mother’s worried voice came through the line.

“Why didn’t you tell me momma? Why didn’t you tell me about what really happened with Layan and what really was going on in our previous pack? Why did you hide that from me?”

“Oh sweetheart. Who told you?”

“It doesn’t matter. It should have been you that told me, especially about Layan. Mom, I thought she was acting to get attention. Acting! I thought her panic attacks were all a ploy to get more males interested in her. Mom….I feel like a fool.”

“Oh, hun. I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, wanted to let you know before you left. But after we got here to Alpha Luke’s pack, you’ve been so happy. His pack is so much better than our other pack. The males here are better men. I didn’t want you to be scared going into your claiming. I wanted you to be excited, to enjoy the thrill of the hunt the way it’s supposed to be.”

Layans Retum Chapter 19: McKenna

“But mom, what if I went into this thinking everything would be great and something happened? I would have been completely unprepared. I need to rethink all of the men I’ve already put into my claim.”

“Sweetheart, no. You chose them for a reason. Follow your heart and your gut. Don’t let what has happened in the past effect your claiming. I want you to enjoy yourself, have fun and find a mate that is perfect for you.”

“I thought I wanted an Alpha, but….what if….” I can’t even finish. It was an Alpha that did those horrible things to Layan.

listen to me, McKenna Allen. That man went feral. The Lunas have made sure that this event is much safer than last year and probably any year since the claiming process started. If you need to speak to those Alphas again to decide that your instinct is correct, do it. But don’t remove them because of your fear of

true what they said about dad wanting to share you and possibly me with the ranked members

father, I didn’t want you to know that he was thinking such disgusting things. I wouldn’t

we

“Yes.”

always looking out

Do you need me to come

I’ll speak to the Alphas.” I say, thinking of

Call me any

person for my claiming since that call. Today, I needed to speak to Alpha

I leave the stage after

have been spending time with me,

Davis, may I speak with

course, McKenna.” He says and we walk away

you haven’t chosen anyone else for your

sure how to ask what I

to Layan. I didn’t know when I arrived here. I’ll admit,

think that’s understandable.”

I made a connection with. That first night, I had so much fun dancing with

as

and

from our previous pack. She didn’t tell me the entire story. I didn’t learn

now, you’re afraid of having an Alpha claim you?”

my hair behind my ear before moving to my chin and lifting

tell you is that I know all of the Alphas in this year’s claiming very well. They are all great men and great Alphas. Any of them would make a good mate to you or the others in this year’s claim. None of us even feel close to going feral. I know because last year, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to this year.