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.

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

woman is amazing, capable of kindness to others, even when

burned it so there is

what she suffered here last year. I won’t be

if I run into any of her other claimants this week. I close my eyes again, taking a deep breath,

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 have

what she suffered last year.

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

I know it, but my howl is

As I fall asleep, I hear her voice, soft and quiet in the night.

Her scent trails are getting more intricate each

decision. Today will be the turning point

are a 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 of

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

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

quietly, and I

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

going to claim what you’ve

shake my head. “No.”

before she looks down. “You don’t

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

to mine. “Then, why? Why won’t

will nip at your heels and happily chase you all over our pack lands. But not

saying, Elijah?” She asks

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 do.”