The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 165

Chapter 10. Elijah Elijah

Today is the day. I'm heading back to The Claiming. This year, I need to make sure that I catch my mate. I know, without a doubt that my biggest competition will be Alpha Davis. He's shown that he's willing to do whatever it takes to be a good mate to Layan. I'm not sure he loves her like I do, but he would do right by her. And she'd be a Luna. I should want that for her, but I don't. Selfishly, I want her with me, by my side.

I want to see our children with her blond hair and my curls, a mix of her hazel eyes and my pale green eyes, her sweet, gentle nature and my strength. I know it's a big dream, one that may never come true, but I see it in my dreams, and I want those dreams to become my reality.

I pack my bag, knowing that if I don't catch Layan, that I can't continue on. There will be no one else for me but her. I haven't said anything to Mason or Jara. I'm not sure how they would respond, but if Alpha Davis or anyone else claims Layan, I won't be coming home.

I'm glad to know that Gamma Luke is a Beta by blood. Mason could easily replace me with him.

And, if I'm being honest with myself, I know it won't be that easy. I'm more than Mason's Beta. I'm his friend. We've been through some terrible times together. This time, however, it's all me. He has his mate, his twins, his life. It's time for me to try and get mine

What was originally going to be about 300 males, has become closer to 400 with the assessments being passed by every single male. I can only be thankful that Layan isn't an Alpha or Beta. Her clajm.will.be limited. Even McKenna and Katerina's claims will be

to 50. They will each have to choose their 50 claimants, just like Layan will have to choose her ten.

All of them will have to have a substitute, in case someone in their claim catches the person before them. And I'm aware that with McKenna being a Gamma and Katerina, while classified as a warrior, is actually of Alpha blood, most of the claimants will want one of them. Layan is a true omega. Not only that, while no one. says it, everyone knows what happened to her. I was shocked to hear that all of the Alphas wanted to enter her claim. It won't matter. She's mine and I'll do whatever it takes to claim her.

I grab my bag and head downstairs. "Hey Elijah, are you driving with Mason and Jara?" Luke asks me.

I frown at him. "First of all, spending hours in a car with two babies sounds like a prison sentence. Second, if I claim Layan, I'm not driving back with them and her in the same car. So, no. I'm driving separately. Do you need anything from me before I head out?"

Luke and Brynn are in charge of the pack while we're gone.

"Beta Elijah!" Melinda comes running up, arms out. I scoop her up and hug her close.

"Now, if I was going to be in a car for hours with this little miss, I'd have to reconsider." I say, tickling her until she screams loudly. Jace comes running from another room to make sure she's okay.

"No worries, Jace. She's just being Melinda." He nods and turns to leave again.

"Hey, Jace." I say, nodding my head for him to join me. I hand Melinda to Luke and step aside, squatting down so I can look Jace in the eye.

"You know that Alpha Mason, Luna Jara and I are all leaving, right."

"Yes, Beta." He says, looking at the ground.

"And, as the son of the Gamma, it is your job to help protect the pack. Can I count on you, Jace?" I ask him. I knows he's struggling, but I also think that having a purpose will help him. He nods, the hint of a smile on his lips. "Yes, Beta.”

"Good! And keep an eye on your sister. She's trouble waiting to happen."

He rolls his eyes. "You have no idea, Beta." He says and I have to laugh.

"Bring it in, Jace." I say and pull him into a hug.

I start to stand and Jace grabs my arm. "Good luck, Beta Elijah."

"Thank you." I say, messing up his hair as I stand.

Luke puts Melinda down and the two of them run off.

"Any last words of wisdom?" Luke asks me.

"Yeah, don't burn down the packhouse." I tell him, smacking him on the arm before turning and heading to my car.

Last year, I made this trek with Mason. This year, my mind is full of what ifs and what if I don'ts. While it's only a couple of hours to get to the claiming territory, I'm glad when I reach it. This year, security is as strong as it was last year. However, I notice that there aren't as many wolves patrolling the area. Everyone feels better knowing that there are no feral wolves roaming around.

I get to the packhouse and check in. Last year, I was in a room with Mason. This year, it was up in the air. Somehow, i end up with Alpha Jonas. I thought for sure that he and his brother would be in

the same room, but apparently not. Since neither of them are mated and their packmate, Katerina is up for claim this year, I'm not surprised to see both of them here.

When I get to my room, Alpha Jonas is already there.

"Beta Elijah." He says, greeting me.

"Alpha Jonas." I greet him back.

"If we're going to be sharing a room for the next few weeks, Beta, perhaps we can ignore the formalities." He suggests.

"That works for me, Jonas."

"Good. So, you're here for Layan, but are you going to enter all three claims?" He asks me.

"No, she's the only one for me."

He nods.

"How about you?" I ask, wondering about the scenario with Katerina. That would be odd given the situation in their pack with her mother.

"I want a mate. I intend to enter all three claims and hope all three she-wolves invite me to their claiming." He says.

"Well, it will be an interesting few weeks, to say the least." I say.

"Yes it will."