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.

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

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

of the past, burned it so there is nothing left but ashes. I hope it helped her find peace.

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

any of her other claimants this week. I close my eyes again, taking a deep breath, finding the strongest scent and turning to follow

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

what

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

is not about me. It’s about her knowing that I’m

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

searching for her. Her scent trails are getting more intricate each day. It’s almost as if she’s up all night. leaving trails

the turning point in my life. I will

for days, I know which trails 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 her scent trails

alone in 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 where she’s been staying out of sight and under cover.

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 she’s hiding.

I say quietly,

quiet for a moment, then I hear her rustling around

you going to

shake my head. “No.”

she looks down. “You don’t want

I’ve

to mine. “Then, why? Why won’t

you every day for the rest of our lives. I will nip at your heels and happily chase you all over our pack lands. But not here. I refuse to hunt you

you saying, Elijah?” She

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 hurts, Layan. But I won’t take that choice from you. So, I want you to choose me. Claim