The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 36
McKenna
I wake disoriented. There’s a scent of eucalyptus surrounding me, relaxing my mind and body. I’m warm and tucked against something strong, something masculine.
I jerk, yanking myself out of his arms and turning to him. His eyes are open, watching me warily.
“McKenna?”
“Alpha Davis?”
He leans up onto his elbow, watching me closely. His dirty blond hair is mussed. The sheet falls to his hips, showing off his strong muscular body. He is the s*e*xiest man I’ve ever seen.
He narrows his eyes, watching me. “What do you remember?”
“Ummm…” I turn, not recognizing the room I’m in, but goddess does it smell good in here.
I frown. “I was in the claiming territory.”
“Yes. What else?”
“Ummm, well, I was scared. I was alone, and then everyone began howling, keeping me company.”
“Keep going.”
I shake my head, trying to clear it and think more clearly. As soon as I do, I get dizzy. I lean forward, ready to catch myself on the bed, but I’m instantly in Alpha Davis’s arms. He scoops me up and sits me sideways on his lap.
“You haven’t eaten in days. You’re probably going to be dizzy until you eat.”
I frown again. “How long have I been out?”
“Nearly two days, but before that, you didn’t eat on the day you went into the territory, and I don’t think you ate in the territory either.”
I lean my head against his chest. It feels very comfortable sitting in his lap and it helps with the dizziness. I didn’t think it would feel so good, but I like it.
“Is that why I feel so light-headed?” I feel so strange.
He kisses the side of my head, near my temple. “You’re seriously depleted of food, and that, combined with my venom in your system is probably making you feel funny.
My head snaps up to his. “Your venom?”
“Do you remember being chased by the other Alphas?” He asks me, smoothing my hair out of my face.
As soon as he says it, I remember. “Yes, I was running. I was scared because there was more than one chasing me, and I knew I was going to get caught and then….”
I stop, looking at him. The look on his face is all Alpha arrogance. “I ran right into you.” I say.
“Yes, you did. And I didn’t waste any time sinking my canines into your marking spot.”
I lift my hand to the spot. It’s a bit tender, but it doesn’t hurt, not really.
“So….” I blush, looking down. “So, you’re my mate now?” “I am and you are my mate now.”
“I’m surprised that you still wanted me after…”
“After?” He asks, tilting my chin up to look at him.
“I was so scared. I even passed out in the territory. I was out almost the entire first day.” I shake my head, feeling tears prick in my eyes. “That’s not how a Luna acts.”
“McKenna, look at me.”
I look up at him and see only love and acceptance in his eyes. “I love that you have this happy, fun-loving spirit about you. You are like a breath of fresh air. I’ve been in many claimings and I’ve never seen anyone who enjoyed the process as much as you did. At least until the end.”
He brushes the tears that escape my eyes away. “I don’t want you to change. My pack has spent the last year carefully watching every move they’ve made and every word they’ve said around Layan. And I wouldn’t change that, she needed to know that she was safe. But even before that, we were all so worried about going feral, that the mood was just dismal in our pack. It will be a relief for me and for them to have someone around that is free-spirited and happy. You will fill our pack with laughter and joy and I can’t wait. What you don’t know about being a Luna, you can learn. You have a good heart, you have the ability to learn from your mistakes and you want to be a better person. To me, that makes you a great Luna already.”
I smile at him. He really is a special man.
Suddenly, shyness takes me again. “So what happens next?”
“Well, first, you stop calling me Alpha. I’m just Davis to you now. Then, we’re going to get you fed. You’ve gone far too long without food. You’ll feel better after eating and then my venom won’t seem so strong in your system.”
“Well, Davis,” I look up at him and smile. I like this. “Where can we get some food?”
“Luna Jara has been bringing food to our door every day since I carried you out of the claiming territory. I heard her leave some not long ago. It’s probably cold by now, but it’s still food. And, if we need more, I can always go get some.”
“Okay.”
He leans over and lightly touches his lips to mine. “Okay.”
He picks me up and carries me to a couch. He carefully sits me on it, pulling a blanket around me. I look down and see that all I’m wearing is a large button-down men’s shirt.
“Your clothes were filthy. So, I put you in my shirt, hoping that it would help you feel comfortable when you woke up.”
I lift the collar and sniff. That’s where the incredible scent is coming from.
I look up and see that Davis’s eyes have gone dark. “What do I smell like to you?” He asks.
“Eucalyptus. It’s one of my favorite scents.” A huge smile breaks across his face. “Good.” He turns, heading to the door. “You smell like rose water to me.”
“Rose water?” I ask as he opens the door and pulls the cart of food
into our room. I take the opportunity to watch his incredible body. He’s not wearing anything but a pair of running shorts. His back and thighs are solid muscle, even his calves have lines of muscle running through them.
He turns, catching me drooling over him. He smiles again. “Yes, I have roses all over my pack lands because I love the scent of roses. I put rose petals in water and leave them to steep in my bedroom.”
He brings the cart of food over. Then he turns, putting his hands on either side of my head, holding on to the couch, boxing me in as he leans down. His scent overwhelms me. I can feel the warmth of his body as he gets closer and just looking at his incredible body has my mouth going dry.
He brings his mouth to my ear, nipping at it gently. “Did you see something you liked?”
I nod, not able to speak.
“Good. Later, after you’ve eaten and we’ve showered, you are welcome to explore my body to your heart’s content.”
“Really?” I ask before I can stop myself.
He chuckles. “Really. And I hope you’ll allow me to do the same with your body.”
I blush again, but I nod.
“Good.” He whispers before standing back up and pulling a table over.
As soon as he set up the food and uncovers the first tray, my stomach protests my lack of food loudly.
Davis laughs. “Eat. I’ve been worried about you.”
I dig in, not needing to be told twice. When I finish that plate, I look at the cart. “Here.” Davis says, handing me the rest of his plate.
“No, I can’t take your food.”
“Yes, you can. I’m your mate, McKenna. It’s my job to look after you.” He says.
I reach out, tentatively touching his cheek. Immediately, he leans his face into my touch. “And isn’t it my job, then, to look out for you, since you’re MY mate.”
He smiles. “Yes, but, I’m the Alpha.”
“Mmmhmm, and I’m the Luna. I think that trumps you, Alpha.” I tell him, teasing. His smile gets bigger, but he grabs some food and begins hand feeding me. “Is that what you think?”
“I do.”
“Well, when your belly is full, and we’ve both had a shower, I’ll wrestle you for top wolf status.”
I crawl into his lap, straddling him. I grab some food off the tray and begin feeding him. Wiping his lip with my thumb and licking it when it doesn’t all make it into his mouth.
I watch as his eyes go nearly black. I had no idea that feeding someone could be so erotic.
It takes everything in me to hold out until after our shower, but when we’re done, I finally pull him back into bed and officially make him mine.