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.

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 why she sounded

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

there is nothing left but

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,

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 and turning to follow it.

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

know what she

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

my howl is not about me. It’s

feel someone watching me. As I fall asleep, I hear her

for her. Her scent trails are getting more intricate each

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,

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

guess, I’d say that’s her ground zero, a beacon drawing me to her. There must be

can smell her. She’s definitely close. I

come out.” I say quietly,

her rustling around before she emerges

smiles at me. “Are you going to claim what

my

looks down. “You don’t want

I want you, more than anything that I’ve ever wanted

mine. “Then, why?

place. “Layan, I will gladly hunt you every day for the rest of our lives. I will nip at your heels and happily chase you all over our pack lands.

Elijah?”

to know that you want me as 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