The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 34
Layan
When I entered the territory, I didn’t really have a plan. I only have ten claimants so it shouldn’t be too hard to avoid them. I’ll use the water, the trees, anything I need to get out of here and then I can claim Elijah for myself.
I’m glad Alpha Davis caught McKenna. I like him and I’d have been fine if he had claimed me, but I feel like my heart belongs to Elijah. Especially after the last couple of weeks. He has taken advantage of the time Davis was in the territory to spend time with me. I’ve spent time with the others, but most of my time has been with Elijah. I’ve gotten to know him, and he’s gotten to know me.
I had the hard conversation with him. I needed to know that if the worst happens, if I can’t have children, that he was okay with that. He a*s*sured me that he wants me. He hopes, as I do, that I can have children, but if not, he said he would be happy waking up with me in his arms every morning for the rest of his life.
I also made sure he knew that I’m terrified of the mating process. He swore to me that we would go at my pace, and I believe him. Elijah isn’t the kind of man to force himself on me or anyone. He is patient and kind and I’m pretty sure he’s in love with me. I’m also pretty sure that I’m in love with him.
I’m jogging through the territory, trying to figure out what I want to do when I see it. I didn’t realize that I would remember exactly where it was, but the moment I see the small area with minimal underbrush, it all comes rushing back to me.
I’m back in the territory last year and that Alpha is after me. As I watch, it’s as if I see it happening in front of me. Me running, my blond hair flying out behind me, my eyes wild with fear, my face a terrified mask of innocence.
Then there’s the Alpha, hot on my heels in his wolf form. I remember my relief that he couldn’t claim me, not realizing that he would try anyway. The memories flash in front of me, being tackled to the ground, the pain in my neck as his wolf’s teeth tore into my skin, the pain as he thrust his body inside me, nearly ripping my body in two before I passed out.
I stand there staring at this spot, the spot that changed my life forever. This spot, this small little area that stole my innocence and possibly took away my ability to ever have children. This spot that seems so meaningless but has so much meaning to me.
And that’s when I feel the anger boiling up inside me. This one stupid, insignificant spot shouldn’t have so much control over me.
I look around, searching for branches, rocks and brush. I will burn away this spot away, making sure it never has control over me, again.
I start with the rocks, creating a space where I will build the fire. I want to make sure that the fire doesn’t spread, so I carefully place enough rocks around the spot to ensure that the fire won’t ‘jump’ outside of the firepit I’m creating.
Then I begin piling underbrush and smaller twigs, fire feeders and starters. It’s a good start, but I want a raging fire. I want this spot scorched into the ground.
So, I begin climbing the trees and finding branches that are large enough to keep a fire going, but small enough that if I jump on them, I can break them.
It takes me most of the day to break up the firewood and create the firepit that I want. Once I have it set, I go to the cave to search, for a lighter. There was one there last year and since both Katerina and McKenna had a fire, I know there must be a fire starter there this year as well.
I find the fire starter and as I’m turning to head back to the firepit I’ve created, I stop, looking at the wall where I originally signed my name. I was the second person to sign my name here after Mignon. Since then, Annabel, Hana, Jara, Katerina and McKenna have all signed their names.
I look at my words, ‘Layan too’. What does that even mean? It means nothing other than I was here. So what?
I want everyone to know that I survived. I grab a rock, ready to leave my mark. A real mark this time.
‘I returned. Stronger than before. Layan’
I stand back, looking at my signature. I am different than I was a year ago. I am stronger. I’m no longer the innocent girl that sees life through rose-colored glasses. Now, I know there is pain, there is suffering, there is cruelty. But I also know, I can survive it. In Jara’s words, I have prevailed.
I take my lighter back to the firepit, and I light the fire. I watch as it burns brighter, hotter than any fire I’ve ever experienced. I stand close, letting the heat wash over me, letting the memories that haunt me burn away.
When the fire reaches its pinnacle, I lift my head to the sky.
F*uc*k that Alpha. I’m here and he’s dead. I survived and I WILL continue to live on.
I howl my dominance over this spot, over the past that I will no longer allow to have a hold on me. I am strong, I am a survivor, I will go on.
I instantly hear Elijah’s answering howl. I should have known that he’d be there, listening for me, making sure I’m okay. Just like he always does.
That man better catch me, or he will suffer the wrath of this new Layan.
As I listen to the echo of the howls in the territory, I turn. Time to make sure I give Elijah a good hunt.
I begin running through the territory. I remember it from last year, I know where the hiding spots are, where the water is and where the traps are. I run all through the night, crisscrossing my scent trails, backtracking on my trails and taking them in multiple directions.
By the time the sun begins to rise, and the shot goes off to start the hunt of my claim, I’m ready. There is only one person that will ever be able to find me in this maze.
The man I’ve chosen to be my mate.