The Claiming by Cooper

Layans Return Chapter 35. Elijah

Elijah

On the morning of Layan’s claim, Mason joins me.

“I’d like you to reconsider. If things don’t go the way you hope…”

I’m already shaking my head before he finishes. “I can’t. And you, of all people, should understand that.”

He grits his teeth. “I do, but I don’t’ want to lose you. You’re a great Beta, and a better friend.”

“Then wish me luck.” I tell him.

His hand comes down on my shoulder. “Bring her home, Elijah.”

When the gun goes off, the others run into the territory. I walk in, taking my time. But as soon as I hit the forest line, I smell it, the scent trails. They are everywhere.

I close my eyes and smile. She did this for me. In one of our discussions, she asked me what I would have done with my life if I hadn’t been a Beta. I told her that my family had come from a long line of trackers. I can pretty much hunt anyone, anywhere. I’m not as good at is as some of my other family members, but I’m better than most.

I begin walking, take a deep breath, finding the strongest of the scents and I begin to follow it. Last year, there were 75 of us in the Hana’s claiming and nearly 200 in Jara’s. While I can track well, I don’t have the ability to track a scent that has been stomped over by multiple males, basically covering the female’s scent.

This year, that isn’t a problem. There are only nine other men in

Layan’s claiming, and they all went running for the lake and the

cave.

I follow the scent that leads me to the burned-out fire. I look around, seeing how she scorched the area. I wasn’t here last year, I didn’t see it happen, but I heard about it, like everyone else did.

find where her scent is strongest. Then I squat down and look at the remains of the fire. This

amazing, capable of kindness to others, even when she’s afraid

burned it so there is nothing left

be the reason that those memories, that horror comes back to her, especially

at how many scent trails she has created. This territory is large, large enough that I’ll be surprised if I run into any of her other claimants this week. I close my eyes again, taking a deep breath, finding the strongest scent

howl of the hunt. It’s nearly as quiet in here as it was

of them know what she suffered

or feeling lonely, so I do what I’ve done every night. I howl,

and I know it, but my howl is not about me. It’s about her knowing that

close my eyes and I swear I feel someone watching me. As I fall asleep, I hear her voice, soft and quiet in

each day. It’s almost as

time for her to make her decision. Today will be the turning point in my

dead end. I’ve been strategically maneuvering myself to where her true hiding spot is. She’s almost exactly in the middle of the territory. All of

territory here. If I had to guess, I’d say that’s her ground zero, a beacon drawing me to her. There must be a burrow or hidey hole there where she’s been staying out of sight and

in front of the cliff. I can smell her. She’s definitely close. I continue to sniff

out.” I say quietly, and I step

hear her rustling around before she

at me. “Are you going to

my head. “No.”

she looks down. “You don’t want me?” She asks so quietly I almost don’t hear

anything that I’ve ever wanted in my life.” I tell

mine. “Then, why? Why won’t you claim me?”

day for the rest of our lives. I will nip at your heels and happily chase you

are you saying, Elijah?” She

as I want you. I need to know that you want to be mine, mine for the rest of our lives. I want you so much that it hurts, Layan. But I won’t