The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 191

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.”