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.

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

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

control of the past, burned it so there is nothing left but

her scent again, and turning to find her. This isn’t a 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 have buried the past where it belongs, here

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 for three more days. I knew she’d be on the move, 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 know what she suffered last year.

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

but my howl is not about me. It’s

fall asleep, I hear

each day. It’s almost as if she’s up all night. leaving trails and sleeping during

it’s time for me to find her. It’s time for her to make her decision. Today will be the turning point in my life. I will either walk out of here with my mate, or

trails are a dead end. I’ve been strategically maneuvering myself to where her true hiding spot

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

walk out of the tree line, stepping into the clearing in front of the cliff. I can smell her. She’s definitely close. I continue to sniff around until I find the spot where I know

quietly, and

her rustling around before she emerges from

me. “Are you going to claim what you’ve rightfully

my

hurt flash in her eyes before she looks down. “You

want you, more than anything that I’ve ever wanted in my life.” I

to mine. “Then, why? Why

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

Elijah?” She asks me.

much 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 take that choice from you. So, I want you to choose me. Claim me and make me yours so I know that you want this as much as I