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

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

there is nothing left but ashes. I hope it helped her find peace.

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

large enough that I’ll be surprised if I run into any of her other claimants this week. I close my

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

of them know what she suffered last

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

but my howl is not about

I fall asleep, I hear her voice, soft and quiet in

scent trails are getting more intricate each day. It’s almost

me to find her. It’s time for her to make her decision. Today will be the turning point

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

to 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

her. She’s definitely close. I continue to

out.” I say quietly,

for a moment, then I hear her rustling around before she emerges from a well-hidden hiding spot.

“Are you going to claim what you’ve rightfully found, Elijah?”

shake my head.

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

anything that I’ve ever wanted

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

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

Elijah?” She asks

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 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