The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 2
Jara
Councilman Jason better get his head out of his a*s*s, and he better do it before I have to pee again. He was there, at least after the fact. He should know how traumatic this is for Layan. And he wants her to face the five of them alone? I don’t think so.
The Luna council had discussed it a couple of weeks ago. We all knew we needed to be here for Layan. We’ve been there for her throughout the last year, and we aren’t going to let her down now. I, especially, won’t let her down. She was there
for me during my darkest time, refusing to let me push her away, so there isn’t anyone that’s going to tell me that I can’t be here to support her.
“Now, Layan. We all know what happened last year. And we all understand that it was terrible for you. We want you to know, first, that we have no intention of letting anything like that happen again.” Gia says.
“How can you ensure that it won’t happen again? We all know that the claiming territory is huge. Even if Layan is in there with only twenty claimants, you won’t know if anything is wrong until it’s too late.” I say, wondering how Gia can say that. She’s been in the claiming, she should know better.
She turns and looks at my father. “In the past, that was true. But this year, not only will we be setting a no-kill policy for the claiming’s, but we’ll also be putting guards in place for each claiming. They will be instructed to not interfere in any way, nor to give any indication of where the female is to any male. However, if it appears that a fight becomes a battle to the death, they will be instructed to step in and shoot tranquilizers into those that are not abiding by the rules. Those claimants will be removed from the claiming territory for the rest of the year.”
He pauses, looking at the others. “In addition, if any of the claimants were territory.”
I’m shocked. Never before has anyone except the female and her claimants been allowed inside the claiming territory.
“These guards, they will be mated males, I’m a*s*suming.” Hana says.
“That’s correct, Luna.” Brooks says.
“And you can ensure that they won’t give away any of the female’s locations to their own pack members?” Annabel asks.
“They will be under Alpha command.” Jason says.
Brynn looks at Layan. “What do you think, Layan?”
She looks up at the council members. “What if I want to choose my mate? Can I do that instead of going back in.”
I feel the tension ramp up behind me. Elijah and Alpha Davis have both been obvious in their intention of claiming Layan.
Gia looks at her. “What would you say, Layan, if I told you that every available Alpha intends to enter your claiming, if you choose them?”
“Why would they want me?” She asks quietly.
“Why wouldn’t they?” Gia asks her. “You have shown that you are strong, you are loving and caring, we know that you helped Luna Jara after the loss of her child, those are the actions of a Luna, Layan.”
“But…” She looks down, wringing her hands in her lap. I reach over, covering her hands with mine. Hana does the same.
She looks at me, then at Hana before turning back to the council. “But… what if I can’t have children?”
I hear two snarls behind me. Obviously, the men in this room that intend to claim her don’t care about that, other than the lasting effects it has on her.
Jason looks behind us before returning his attention to Layan. “Each Alpha was asked that question. And while they would hope that you could have and would want to have children with them, none of them said it would exclude them from entering your claim if you choose them.”
Layan turns her head slightly to look at Alpha Davis out of the corner of her eye. His eyes are focused on her, unwavering. He doesn’t care if she can have children. He wants her. She blushes prettily before turning back.
“How many?” She asks quietly
“How many what, Layan?” Brooks asks her.
“How many claimants will I have to choose? Will it still be twenty?” She asks.
“Can’t we make an exception this year, considering everything that happened?” Mignon asks.
“What do you suggest?” My father asks.
“Well, the Luna Council came up with a suggestion, if you weren’t willing to allow Layan to choose her mate. We think that she should be allowed to choose as few as five claimants for her claiming.”
Councilman Jason scoffs. “That’s not enough. That’s not even one percent of the remaining wolves.”
“But not every wolf is eligible for the claiming process, so that number isn’t accurate, Councilman.” I tell him.
“Given the positive state of our packs, we’re anticipating 300 wolves that will be eligible for the claiming and pass a*s*sessment.” Gia says.
“Three hundred? That’s more than last year.” Hana says.
“Our packs are more stable. They aren’t going feral like they used to. When’s the last time anyone had to put a pack member down?” Brooks says.
It’s true. I haven’t heard of a single male that’s even showing signs of feral-fever.
“Fifteen.” Jason says.
“Seven.” I say. “That’s over one percent.”
“Ten.” Jason says.
I turn and look at Layan. It’s the best we can get. Half of the usual claiming size and she gets to choose all of them.
She nods.
“Ten.” I agree.
Elijah POV
I watch as Luna Jara bargains for Layan to have fewer claimants in her claim. I grit my teeth, knowing that she would choose me if they would just let her.
“Easy.” Mason says in the mind link, stretching out the word. “You aren’t helping her if you’re all riled up. This is hard enough for her. Be her support.”
He’s right, I know he’s right. When they finally call an end to the meeting, I stand, wanting to pull her into my arms.
Alpha Davis beats me to her. It takes everything in me not to snarl at him when he wraps his arms around her. Ever since Layan spent time in our pack, my feelings of protectiveness and possessiveness toward her have become stronger.
Mason’s hand on my shoulder settles me and I wait, impatiently, for Alpha Davis to step back. When Layan turns to me, I open my arms and she smiles, stepping into my hug.
I lean in, kissing her cheek. “I don’t care if I have to compete against nine Alphas, I’ll defeat them all and claim you, Layan.” I say, hugging her tightly against me.