The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 16
Elijah
The moment I saw Layan, I hadn’t looked away. I knew there was a strong possibility that she would have a panic attack, and she did.
The minute I realize she is having difficulty, I start purring. At first, it doesn’t seem like she can hear me. I know from talking to her, that when she gets like this, she can’t hear anything around her. So, I purr louder, louder than I’ve ever purred before.
The moment she looks at me, I know I’ve got her. I’m her lifeline, something to anchor her to the here and now. I hold her gaze, letting her know she’s not alone.
It doesn’t take the others long to figure out what’s going on and to add their purrs to mine. I’m not sure I could be any prouder of her than when she pulls her shoulders back and walks up those stairs. I can’t even imagine how much strength it took for her to do that.
My eyes never leave her as she walks over to stand next to the other two females. I hadn’t bothered to ask either of them to dance last night. I’m here for one person and one person only.
Layan.
Councilman Phillip begins reviewing the rules of the claiming. The first two rules have changed. There is no lottery. The females get to choose their claimants and social gatherings will occur regardless of whether or not you’ve been selected for the female’s claim. That is until their claim is full.
The last three rules are the same mate mark must be in the marking spot on the neck to be valid, you must mark in the same form as the female (wolf or human) at the time of the marking, and you can’t mate the female after she passes out.
“In addition, we’ve added Rule #6: Anyone who kills another claimant or person in the claiming, will be subject to removal from the claiming process, exclusion from all future claims and possibly death.” Councilman Phillip says. There’s a bit of grumbling about this. Everyone knew that killing would not be allowed this year, but we hadn’t heard about the potential to be executed.
“Now, before we get started, if anyone chooses to be removed from any or all of the females’ claims, you may go over to the tables behind you and have your names removed.”
I turn, heading over to remove myself from McKenna and Katerina’s claims. I’m sure they are great women, but they aren’t for me.
I walk to the table and tell them I only want to be included in Layan’s claim. Last year, when Mason did this with Jara, I thought it was crazy. Now, I feel like I have a much better understanding of why he did this. There is not now, nor will there ever be anyone for me, but Layan.
When I turn to head back to stand in the crowd. I see all three females looking at me curiously. Well, Katerina is nodding as if I’ve acted the way she expected. McKenna looks surprised and Layan looks…. nervous. I hope she doesn’t think that there is anything that would ever cause me to remove myself from her claim. When everyone is done, they give the notes to the females of the males that want to be excluded from their claims. Not surprisingly, Layan got several, where it looks like the other two only got mine. I see McKenna’s head snap up in my direction, but I don’t look at her. I watch as Layan looks at hers. She quickly goes through them and when she doesn’t see my name, she looks up at me, giving me one of her sweet smiles, the kind that’s impossible not to return.
I see Katerina nudge her as Councilman Phillip walks to the microphone.
Katerina shows Layan the slip that she got, watching me as she does. I see Layan jerk back in surprise and she turns back to me.
I take my hand and tap it over my heart before pointing at her. My heart belongs to her.
Even from here, I can see the beautiful blush of her cheeks, even though she ducks her head and tries to hide it. Katerina gives me a knowing look before turning back to watch Councilman Phillip. I notice that McKenna still has a frown on her face.
They begin the pomp and circumstance of the claiming, having each female introduce themselves. It’s easy to see that McKenna is a flirt. She reminds me a bit of Hana. She would make a good Luna and be best suited to someone that would appreciate her mischievous nature.
Next up is Katerina. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Layan, I’d have gone for Katerina. I know about the conversation that she had with Jonas and it takes some guts to tell a man like him that she isn’t willing to have him as a mate because of his actions. Jonas has been reeling since that conversation. Katerina is strong. I would be shocked if one of the Alphas doesn’t catch her. She will make a great Luna.
And then there is my sweet Layan. She walks up and quietly introduces herself. She looks up and makes eye contact with Alpha Davis and I just catch myself from snarling out loud. But then, she looks at me and my wolf calms.
“Now, let’s draw names to see which order the claimings will occur.” Councilman Phillip says.
Councilwoman Gia brings out the bowl with all three names and without looking, Councilman Phillip reaches in and pulls a name.
He looks at it then looks at us. “Katerina.”
Cheers go up all around and I watch as Katerina inclines her head to the crowd.
“Next.” He reaches into the bowl again, pulling a name.
“McKenna.”
The cheers go up again. I sigh. I was hoping to get Layan out of here sooner rather than later, but it looks like she’s stuck here for the entire process.
“And our last contestant, Layan, with be third.” Phillip confirms, looking over at her. There are more cheers and I can tell all this attention is making her uncomfortable. I see her look up at me and I wink at her. I see a smile twitching on her lips.
“Now, Katerina, if you will join me, I’d like to know if you have decided on any of your claimants yet.” Phillip says, bringing Katerina to the microphone.
“Yes, Councilman, I have.” She says into the microphone. You could hear a feather drop it’s so quiet on this field right now.
“Go ahead.”
“Alpha Davis, Alpha Quinton, Alpha Luke, Warrior Jake and Warrior Thomas.” She says.
I hear a whoop from one of the warriors and several chuckles from the crowd. Katerina steps back and Phillip gestures for McKenna to join him.
“Do you have any males that you’d like to invite to your claiming, McKenna?” He asks her.
“Yes.” She says, her eyes on me, frowning.
“Go ahead when you’re ready.”
“Alphas Jonas, Quinton, Luke and Davis. And Beta Jared.” She says, finally turning her attention away from me.
“Excellent. Now, Layan dear.” He says as McKenna steps back.
“Have you had a chance to decide on any of the males you want to invite to your claim, Layan?”
“Yes.” She says quietly.
“And who would you like to invite?” He asks her.
“Elijah and Alpha Davis.”
My heart drops, but I force a smile when she looks at me. Alpha Davis. I knew that she’d chose him, but I wasn’t expecting it as quickly as she chose me. He is definitely my biggest competition. But, I refuse to let her see anything other than my happiness that she chose me to be part of her claim.
“There you have it gentlemen. I would suggest that you get to know this year’s females. We will allow them to announce each day who they would like to invite to their claiming. There are several events planned today that will allow all of you to get to know this year’s females. I would suggest that you take part in as many as possible so that our females have a chance to get to know you. Have a nice day.
I turn to head over to Mason when I hear McKenna calling me.
“Beta Elijah. Beta Elijah.” She jumps off the stage and comes rushing over to me. I can see Layan out of the corner of my eye watching me a moment, but she doesn’t linger. Damn, I wanted to walk back with them.
“Hi McKenna. What can I do for you?” She looks at me and then around us before stepping aside, out of easy earshot from the males walking around.
“I wanted to know why you excluded yourself from my claiming. I had intended to call your name today.
Okay, this is a surprise. I honestly figured with nearly 400 males, me excluding myself wouldn’t matter, but apparently to her, it does.
“McKenna, I’m sure you are a wonderful person. And if one of the Alphas catches you, you’ll make a great Luna. But my heart belongs to Layan. There can be no one else for me but her. I would be doing you and me a disservice by entering your claim. I have no intention of claiming you or anyone other than Layan.”
“But, Beta, even with a small number of claimants, it’s still a possibility that someone else might claim her. Are you sure you’re willing to risk it, only entering one claim?”
“I am. She’s worth it to me. Thank you very much for your interest, but I need to go.” I tell her, walking away. If I hurry, I can catch up to them and walk with Layan.
I barely notice that McKenna stands, watching me, as I race off toward Layan.