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.

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

I never did. The woman is amazing, capable of kindness to others, even when she’s afraid for herself. She has never let her fear

of her. She took control of the past, burned it so there is nothing left but ashes. I

hunt. I refuse to hunt her, not after what she suffered here last year. I won’t be the reason that those memories, that horror comes back to her, especially now that she seems to

if I run into any of her other claimants this week. I close my eyes again, taking a deep breath, finding the strongest scent and turning to follow

and she has been. Surprisingly, none of her other claimants have raised the howl of the hunt. It’s nearly as quiet in here as it was for Katerina’s claim. I wonder if that’s intentional. Layan hand- picked these men. All of them have been kind to her in one way or

All of them know what she suffered last year.

the ground, looking at the sky. I’m not sure if she’s scared or feeling lonely, so I do what I’ve

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

my eyes and I swear I feel someone watching me. As I fall asleep, I hear

up again, searching for her. Her scent trails are getting more intricate each day. It’s almost as

make her decision. Today will be the turning point in my life. I will either walk out

maneuvering myself to where her true hiding spot is. She’s

her. There’s a cliff, standing alone in the 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 under

her. She’s definitely close. I continue to sniff around until

say quietly, and I step back.

her rustling around before she emerges from a

going to claim

shake my

“You don’t want me?” She asks so quietly

anything that I’ve ever wanted in my

eyes come to mine. “Then, why? Why won’t you claim

nip at your heels and

are you saying, Elijah?” She asks me.

so much that it hurts, Layan.