The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 151

The Council Chapter 58 Elijah

Elijah

Things are starting to get back to normal. Isabella returned to her pack already and sadly, it’s time for Layan to return as well.

I had tried everything I could think of to keep her here. But today, she’s leaving, and I don’t know when I’ll get to see her again.

“My pack needs me, Elijah. You know that. I’ll see you soon. Plus, you showed me how to video call you, so I can do that now.”

“It’s not the same.” I say, putting my hands on her hips and gently pulling her toward me. I’ve been testing out the ‘I’m not scared of you‘ philosophy by doing little things like this. She never flinches when I touch her. I love that.

“I don’t want you to go.” I say. I’m trying to stay strong, but I feel like my heart is breaking. What if this is the last time I get to hold her in my arms. What if someone else claims her this year.

I look into her sweet, soft eyes. “Can I kiss you, Layan?” I ask her, hoping she’ll say yes, but also prepared for her to say no.

A smile graces her face, and she nods her head.

Never taking my eyes off of hers, I lean in, touching my lips to hers. I hold myself back from pulling her to me and kissing her passionately like I want to. If this is her first kiss, I want to make it memorable, special, something she wants more of, hopefully dreams about.

I gently slide my tongue over the seam of her lips, and they open, letting me tickle them further, gently sliding my tongue into her mouth. Her sweet taste of apricots nearly brings me to my knees. My hand goes into her hair, and I tilt my head to get a better angle. My other hand wraps

around her waist, pulling her to me. Her arms slide around my neck, and we kiss until we both come up gasping for air.

I lean my forehead against her as we catch our breath. “I love you, Layan. You don’t have to say anything, I just…”

She touches her finger to my lips. “I love you too, Elijah.”

I feel my throat close with the emotion I’m feeling. I pull her to me and hug her tightly. I don’t want her to leave. It takes everything in me to stand back and open her car door.

I help her into the car, watching as she puts her fingers to her lips. Yeah, I can still feel her warm lips and taste her sweet apricots on my lips too.

We both watch each other as the car pulls away, and it’s not until they turn a corner, and I can no longer see her that I turn to go back inside.

Mason and Jara are here, having said goodbye for Layan and now, waiting for me. I move to walk past them, my head down. Mason falls into step beside me.

We walk in silence for a moment.

“I hate that she had to leave.” I say.

“I know. She’s welcome back any time.”

I nod. “I have to claim her. I have to, Mason. If anyone else….” My throat clenches at the thought of anyone else touching her. “I have to.”

“I understand that very well. I’ve asked Jara to be there for her meeting with the council. They want to wait until it’s closer to the time of the claiming, to give her time to heal and to feel more comfortable, but we don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe they’ll let her make a choice.”

I shake my head. “They won’t. They can’t. There are still too many of us

who need and want mates. Not to mention, I’m up against at least one Alpha. And I’d be surprised if Alpha Luke and Alpha Quinton didn’t try for her too. She’d be a good Luna. There’s no doubt in my mind that she would. And I know I should want that for her, but I just want her.”