The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 19
McKenna
I had gone to my room after speaking to Luna Jara about Layan. I can’t believe my mother left me in the dark about so many things. Important things. How am I supposed to be any sort of mate or Luna if I don’t know what’s going on? So, I had called my mother.
“Hey honey, how are you? How’s the claiming going?” She had asked me.
I was quiet for a moment thinking about what Katerina told me before tears had started falling again. I had forced myself to stop crying before coming inside the house but when I heard my mother’s voice, they had started again.
“McKenna? McKenna, baby, what happened?” My mother’s worried voice came through the line.
“Why didn’t you tell me momma? Why didn’t you tell me about what really happened with Layan and what really was going on in our previous pack? Why did you hide that from me?”
“Oh sweetheart. Who told you?”
“It doesn’t matter. It should have been you that told me, especially about Layan. Mom, I thought she was acting to get attention. Acting! I thought her panic attacks were all a ploy to get more males interested in her. Mom….I feel like a fool.”
“Oh, hun. I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, wanted to let you know before you left. But after we got here to Alpha Luke’s pack, you’ve been so happy. His pack is so much better than our other pack. The males here are better men. I didn’t want you to be scared going into your claiming. I wanted you to be excited, to enjoy the thrill of the hunt the way it’s supposed to be.”
“But mom, what if I went into this thinking everything would be great and something happened? I would have been completely unprepared. I need to rethink all of the men I’ve already put into my claim.”
“Sweetheart, no. You chose them for a reason. Follow your heart and your gut. Don’t let what has happened in the past effect your claiming. I want you to enjoy yourself, have fun and find a mate that is perfect for you.”
“I thought I wanted an Alpha, but…. what if….” I can’t even finish. It was an Alpha that did those horrible things to Layan.
“You listen to me, McKenna Allen. That man went feral. The Lunas have made sure that this event is much safer than last year and probably any year since the claiming process started. If you need to speak to those Alphas again to decide that your instinct is correct, do it. But don’t remove them because of your fear of what they might do. That’s not fair to them or you.
“Is it true what they said about dad wanting to share you and possibly me with the ranked members in the pack?” I had asked quietly.
She sighed heavily. “Yes. He was your father, I didn’t want you to know that he was thinking such disgusting things. I wouldn’t allow him or anyone to do that to you.”
“That’s why we ran? Thank you, mom, for always looking out for me. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Do you need me to come there? I will if you need me.”
“No, I think I’ll take your advice. I’ll speak to the Alphas.” I say, thinking of one in particular that I want to talk to.
“Okay sweetheart. Call me any time.”
I hadn’t chosen another person for my claiming since that call. Today, I needed to speak to Alpha Davis.
When I leave the stage after our morning meeting, seeing the disappointment in the eyes of many that have been spending time with me, I approach him.
“Alpha Davis, may I speak with you?”
“Of course, McKenna.” He says and we walk away from the others.
“Is everything alright? I’ve been surprised you haven’t chosen anyone else for your claiming in the last several days.”
I look down, not sure how to ask what I want to ask.
“Alpha Davis, I just recently found out about what truly happened to Layan. I didn’t know when I arrived here. I’ll admit, it has scared me.”
“I think that’s understandable.”
“You were the first person that I felt like I made a connection with. That first night, I had so much fun dancing with you. I felt carefree and relaxed, and I had a really good time.”
“I did as well.” I look up at him and see him watching me intently.
“I also didn’t know why my mother ran from our previous pack. She didn’t tell me the entire story. I didn’t learn about that until I learned about Layan.”
“And now, you’re afraid of having an Alpha claim you?” He asks, guessing at my concern.
I nod, not looking at him. I feel his finger tucking my hair behind my ear before moving to my chin and lifting my head to look at him.
“I don’t know what I can say to allay your fears. What I would tell you is that I know all of the Alphas in this year’s claiming very well. They are all great men and great Alphas. Any of them would make a good mate to you or the others in this year’s claim. None of us even feel close to going feral. I know because last year, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to this year. But here I am.”
We look at each other for a moment. “Are you planning to remove me from your claim, McKenna?” He asks me.
“I don’t want to. I just…. now that I know things that I didn’t know before….”
“Can I make a suggestion? Well, two really.”
I look at him, wanting to hear what he has to say. I really did feel like we had a connection. I don’t want to think too much about that, in case he doesn’t claim me, but I know I don’t want to lose the opportunity to be mated to this man.
“First, get to know us. You still have time, and you have all the power here. Tell Councilman Phillip that you’d like some individual time with all of us. Get to know us more than you have. And, second, don’t change who you are. You’re like a breath of fresh air.”
“Thank you. You should know… I thought Layan was faking how scared she was. I didn’t know what had happened to her, but that’s no excuse. Luna Jara told me that if I’m going to be a good Luna, that I need to make sure I have the full story before I make judgement on someone. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a Luna, but even if I’m not, I plan to take her advice.”
“It’s good advice and it says a lot about you, McKenna, that you’re willing to learn from your mistakes.”
I’m terrified to ask the next question, but I know I need to. “Does me telling you that change how you feel about me? Do you want to exclude yourself from my claim?” I ask him quietly.
“No. I’m proud of you, for being smart enough to listen to what Luna Jara told you and strong enough to tell me, even though you are obviously concerned about my response.” His hand comes to my face, cupping my cheek.
“Both of those are qualities that I would want in my Luna.” I feel the tightness around my chest release, and I smile for the first time in days.
“Thank you, Alpha.” I say to him.
“You kissed me. McKenna. You should call me Davis.”
This time, I look up into his eyes. “Can I kiss you again, Davis?” I ask boldly, feeling so much better after having talked to him.
He shakes his head, smiling. “No, because I’m going to kiss you this time. McKenna.”
And oh man, does he ever.