The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 41
Mason
I’m still flying high on the information that Jara and I are going to have another baby when Elijah and Layan emerge the next day.
Jara is still at the other house with the kids when they come downstairs.
“Good morning, Alpha.” Elijah says, his arm wrapped around Layan.
“Good morning to both of you. Layan, how are you feeling?”
“Good, Alpha Mason, thank you. Jara left food and Elijah made sure I ate.”
Layan looks good. Her eyes are bright, she has a little color in her cheeks, and she doesn’t look scared or fearful at all.
“Well, Jara hasn’t arrived yet. She is feeding the twins and will probably be here within the hour. Do you want me to find someone to make you breakfast?”
She tilts her head to the side, giving me a funny look. “Don’t you remember my time in your pack, Alpha? I cooked every day.”
“My apologies, Layan. That wasn’t a good time for me. There’s a lot about that time that I try to block out.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” She says looking down, and Elijah pulls her closer, kissing the top of her head.
“It’s fine, love. Alpha just meant that he didn’t remember that you cook, that’s all.” Elijah looks at me over her head and I know that look. Even if that’s not what I meant, he wants me to ease his mate’s mind that she hasn’t upset me.
“Yep, that’s it exactly, Layan.”
“Well, do you want me to make you some breakfast too, Alpha? Jog your memory?” She asks.
“I’d love that. Are you taking my Beta with you, or can I borrow him for a bit?” I ask. I know how it is when you’re newly mated. You don’t want to be separated, even for a moment.
“You stay. I’ll make us some food.” She tells him.
He takes her face in his hands and kisses her more passionately than I would have expected so soon
She’s blushing when she finally pulls away. She glances at me quickly before ducking out of the room.
Elijah watches her go before turning to me. I raise my eyebrow at him.
“That was unexpected.” I say.
“She’s amazing. What can I say.”
“Take some credit for your role in that. You’re obviously giving her everything she needs to feel good, to feel safe.”
“My part is easy. I get to love her. She’s the one that has had to be strong.” He says.
“So, are you ready to go home and get back to work? And, you know you still have to answer to Jara, right?” I ask.
“Answer to Jara for what?” Layan asks, walking in.
Elijah is up in an instant. “Is everything okay?” He asks.
“Yes, I wanted to know what you like in your omelets.” She says.
“Surprise me.” Elijah tells her.
“I’ll take a surprise omelet too.” I say.
She steps into the room, looking at me and Elijah sits, pulling her into his lap. It’s such a common thing for the Alphas to do with their mates that I have to smile.
I’m about to explain to her what Elijah told me, when Jara walks in with the twins. Now it’s my turn to jump up.
“Jara, you shouldn’t be carrying them around like that. They are too heavy, you should have called me.” I say.
“Relax, I’m fine Mason.” She says before I see her nose go into the air and she pushes past me.
“Layan!” She says, putting the twins down and rushing to Layan who stands to hug her.
Jara steps back, looking her over. “How are you? Are you doing okay?”
I watch as Layan frowns, before looking at Elijah who shrugs before turning back to Jara.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Layan asks her.
I duck my head quickly, focusing on the twins. I have a feeling that Jara is about to get schooled in the education of Layan.
“Well, you know, after the claiming and, well, the mating…” I can tell Jara is surprised and taken aback by Layan’s absolute lack of concern with being claimed by Elijah.
“Well Luna, I claimed Elijah first, as I believe you know. And Elijah has never, not once, given either you or I any reason to doubt that he wouldn’t be exactly the kind of mate I wanted and needed. That hasn’t changed. And as for the mating, well, and please take this with all due respect, but that’s none of your business Jara.”
From the comer of my eye, I see Jara’s mouth opening and closing, her eyes blinking, and I just know that she has no idea what to do with this information.
As much as I’m enjoying this, I need to rescue my mate. I stand, wrapping her in my arms. “She’s fine, love. You knew Elijah would be a good mate to her.”
“I….” She frowns. “Yes, I guess I did.”
I kiss her head. “Good because Layan was in here asking what we wanted for breakfast.” I tell her.
“I was, but then I heard you say that my mate will have to answer to Jara, and I want to know what he did that Luna Jara feels the need to dress him down.” Layan says, standing her ground against Jara. I’m not sure she realizes it, but she’s placed herself in front of Elijah, as if she’s protecting him from Jara.
Elijah, the idiot, is just smiling proudly at his mate. I admit, I wouldn’t have expected Layan to be so strong so quickly, but obviously this mate match has made them both stronger, better.
“Did Elijah tell you he was going to leave our pack if he didn’t claim you?” Jara says, obviously fully expecting Layan to take her side.
I watch the shock pass across Layan’s face before she turns to Elijah, cupping his face in her hand.
“He won’t be leaving now.” She says quietly, confidently. He shakes his head, agreeing with her.
“But that doesn’t change the fact that he was going to leave if he didn’t claim you, Layan. Without even telling me.” Jara insists.
“Jara, what kind of Luna would you be if you held every member of your pack accountable for things they considered doing but never did?”
My mate frowns. “What?”
“Did Elijah leave your pack? Or should I say, our pack now?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Well then, what exactly were you going to yell at him for? Thinking about it? If that’s the case, then you should have yelled at me for thinking about killing myself last year. Or maybe yelling at Mason for thinking that he would kill for a moment’s peace and quiet.” She turns to me, and my eyes go wide. “Don’t even pretend you haven’t thought it, I can read that look on our face loud and clear.” She says before turning back to Jara.
“Or are you going to yell at yourself for wanting to give up on everything after you lost your child last year? You can’t hold people accountable for their thoughts, Jara, especially when they are in their darkest or most trying times. We all have negative thoughts, things we think about that we may regret later or that were thankful others never heard us say out loud. The difference is none of us have acted on those thoughts. Elijah didn’t leave and he won’t, I didn’t kill myself, Mason won’t snap someone’s neck because he’s exhausted and needs sleep, no matter how much the person is annoying him, and you’ve recovered and have two beautiful children.”
Layan looks between me and Jara. “So, are we done here?”
“Ummm, yeah.” Jara says frowning again.
“Good. Elijah, did you want to help me in the kitchen?”
“Absolutely.” Elijah says, his shit-eating grin has only gotten bigger as Layan was talking.
They walk out and Jara watches them, dumbfounded, “What just happened?”
“I think you just got your first dose of your Beta female.”