The Claiming by Cooper

Chapter 190

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.

move around the firepit that she obviously made until I find where her scent is strongest. Then I squat down and look at the remains of the fire. This is where she stood last night, howling. This is

kindness to

it so there is nothing left but ashes. I hope

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

enough that I’ll be surprised if I run into any of her other claimants

been. Surprisingly, none of her other claimants have raised the howl of the hunt. It’s nearly as quiet in

what she suffered

scared or feeling lonely, so I do what I’ve done every night. I howl, letting her know that I’m here.

it, but my howl is not about

I fall asleep, I hear her voice, soft and

getting more intricate each day. It’s almost as

find her. It’s time for her to make her decision. Today will be the turning point in my life. I will

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

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

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

quietly, and I step back.

for a moment, then I hear her rustling

smiles at me. “Are you going to claim

shake my

looks down. “You don’t want

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

why? Why

this place. “Layan, I will gladly hunt you every day for the rest of our lives. I will nip at

you saying, Elijah?” She

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

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