The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 122

The Council Chapter 29. Jan

Jara

When I arrive back in Alpha Davis’s pack, I’m glad to see that Layan looks considerably better than she did when we left her last weekend. However, when she walks up to hug me, holding me so tightly that I can barely breathe, I know that it’s only on the surface.

That’s okay, it’s a start and every small step forward is still a step forward.

I see Elijah watching her as he pulls my bags out of the car, his jaw tense. It’s probably a good thing that he didn’t see her last weekend if her current state is affecting him like this.

“Am I the first one here?” I ask her as she finally pulls away.

“Yes. I heard that Alpha Seth will be joining us this weekend instead of Alpha Asher.” She says. She looks past me, a frown. forming on her face.

“Is that Beta Elijah?” She asks me quietly.

I turn, seeing him ducking his head, smiling that she remembers him. “It is. He’s here as part of my guard duty this weekend. Do you remember him?” I ask her, hoping she has good memories of Elijah.

She nods. “He was kind to me.”

“Yep, he’s a good guy.” I say and sadness fills her features.

I turn her, keeping my arm wrapped around her shoulder, heading inside. “What’s that look for?” I ask, leaning my head on top of

hers.

“No one that nice would want me now. I’m too damaged.” She says and I see a tear drop from her eyes.

“I’ll tell you a secret.” I whisper in her ear. “He wanted to come last weekend, but Mason needed him at the pack. He volunteered to come here because he was worried about you. And you also caught the eye of my other guard, Lewis.” I tell her.

She tilts her head, looking over at Lewis who gives her a smile. “Really?”

I nod at her. “You’re not damaged, sweet girl. You were traumatized and you need to heal, mentally and physically. And that’s what your friends are for. But there is nothing wrong with you, Layan. You’re not damaged.” I say, turning as I hear another car coming down the drive.

We stop at the entrance of the packhouse to see who it is. As soon as the car stops, Mignon is bouncing out of it, rushing over to hug Layan. I frown, looking at her stomach. It’s like in one week she went from having a flat stomach to now having a pronounced baby bump, like her little girl just suddenly popped out, announcing herself to the world.

Layan notices too, because as Mignon steps back, Layan’s eyes go to her stomach.

“You’re….”

Mignon’s hands go to her stomach. “Pregnant. Yes. Asher and I are having a little girl and we’re so excited. That’s why he was here last weekend. He is very protective of me and our little pup. But he trusts Alpha Davis now, and he knows that Alpha Seth and Beta Elijah are here. I’ve also promised to call him a minimum of twice a day and answer all of his calls, so he doesn’t worry about me.”

Just as she says it, her phone buzzes. She looks at the screen

before picking up the call. “Hi baby.”

”

She says, walking away a bit to talk to Asher. “Yep, I just got here. Yep, your girls are safe and sound. I’ll call you tonight. I love you too.” She says before hanging up.

I stay where we are because I can tell that Layan is surprised by the level of affection between Mignon and Asher.

“So, he’s good to you?” Layan asks her.

Mignon turns, the loving glow on her face sharpening as she refocuses her gaze on Layan. She puts her phone away and walks over to her, taking her hands. “Yes. He is so good to me, and I really do love him.”

I can tell that Layan doesn’t know what to do with this information. She’s not there yet, mentally, so I redirect the conversation.

“So, what did you want to do this weekend?” I ask her as the three of us walk inside.