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.

The memories flash in front of me, being tackled to the ground, the pain in my neck as his wolf’s teeth tore into my skin, the pain

that stole my innocence and

boiling up inside me. This one stupid, insignificant spot shouldn’t have so much control

searching for branches, rocks and brush. I will burn away this

rocks, creating a space where I will build the fire. I want to make sure that the fire doesn’t spread, so I carefully place enough rocks around the spot to ensure that the fire won’t ‘jump’ outside of

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

I begin climbing the trees and finding branches that are large enough to keep a fire going, but small enough that if I jump on them,

have it set,

a fire, I know there must be a fire

stop, looking at the wall where I originally signed my name. I was the second person to sign my name here after Mignon. Since then, Annabel, Hana, Jara, Katerina and McKenna have all

at my words, ‘Layan too’. What does that even mean?

know that I

a rock, ready to leave my mark. A real mark this time.

Stronger than before. Layan’

signature. I am different than I was a year ago. I am stronger. 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