The Claiming by Cooper

Layan’s Return Chapter 34. Layan

Layan

When I entered the territory, I didn’t really have a plan. I only have ten claimants so it shouldn’t be too hard to avoid them. I’ll use the water, the trees, anything I need to get out of here and then I can claim Elijah for myself.

I’m glad Alpha Davis caught McKenna. I like him and I’d have been fine if he had claimed me, but I feel like my heart belongs to Elijah. Especially after the last couple of weeks. He has taken advantage of the time Davis was in the territory to spend time with me. I’ve spent time with the others, but most of my time has been with Elijah. I’ve gotten to know him, and he’s gotten to know me.

I had the hard conversation with him. I needed to know that if the worst happens, if I can’t have children, that he was okay with that. He assured me that he wants me. He hopes, as I do, that I can have children, but if not, he said he would be happy waking up with me in his arms every morning for the rest of his life.

I also made sure he knew that I’m terrified of the mating process. He swore to me that we would go at my pace, and I believe him. Elijah isn’t the kind of man to force himself on me or anyone. He is patient and kind and I’m pretty sure he’s in love with me. I’m also pretty sure that I’m in love with him.

I’m jogging through the territory, trying to figure out what I want to do when I see it. I didn’t realize that I would remember exactly where it was, but the moment I see the small area with minimal underbrush, it all comes rushing back to me.

I’m back in the territory last year and that Alpha is after me. As I watch, it’s as if I see it happening in front of me. Me running, my blond hair flying out behind me, my eyes wild with fear, my face a

terrified mask of innocence.

heels in his wolf form. I remember my relief that he couldn’t claim me, not realizing that he would try anyway. The memories flash in front of me, being tackled to the ground, the pain in my neck as his

that changed my life forever. This spot, this small little area that stole my innocence and possibly

boiling up inside me. This one stupid,

will burn away

that the fire doesn’t spread, so I

twigs, fire feeders and starters. It’s a good start, but I want a

finding branches that are large enough to keep a fire going, but small enough that if

and create the firepit that I want. Once I have it set, I go to the

there must be

as I’m turning to head back to the firepit I’ ve created, I stop, looking at the wall where I originally signed my name. I was the

‘Layan too’. What does that even mean? It means nothing other than I was here. So

know that I

grab a rock, ready to leave my mark. A

returned. Stronger than

I’m no longer the innocent girl that sees life through rose-colored glasses. Now, I know there is pain, there is suffering, there is cruelty. But I also know, I can survive it.