Chapter 172


    The iming by Cooper Book 3


    Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)


    Elijah


    The moment I saw Layan, I hadn’t looked away. I knew there was a strong possibility that she would


    have a panic attack, and she did.


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    The minute I realize she is having difficulty, I start purring. At first, it doesn’t seem like she can hear me.


    I know from talking to her, that when she gets like this, she can’t hear anything around her. So, I purr


    louder, louder than I’ve ever purred before.


    The moment she looks at me, I know I’ve got her. I’m her lifeline, something to anchor her to the here


    and now. I hold her gaze, letting her know she’s not alone.


    It doesn’t take the others long to figure out what’s going on and to add their purrs to mine. I’m not sure I


    could be any prouder of her than when she pulls her shoulders back and walks up those stairs. I can’t


    even imagine how much strength it took for her to do that.


    My eyes never leave her as she walks over to stand next to the other two females. I hadn’t bothered to


    ask either of them to dancest night. I’m here for one person and one person only.


    Layan.


    Councilman Phillip begins reviewing the rules of the iming. The first two rules have changed. There


    is no lottery. The females get to choose their imants and social gatherings will ur regardless of


    whether or not you’ve been selected for the female’s im. That is until their im is full.


    Thest three rules are the same mate mark must be in the marking spot on the neck to be valid, you


    must mark in the same form as the female (wolf or human) at the time of the marking, and you can’t


    mate the female after she passes out.


    “In addition, we’ve added Rule #6: Anyone who kills another imant or person in the iming, will be


    subject to removal from the iming process, exclusion from all future ims and possibly death.”


    Councilman Phillip says. There’s a bit of grumbling about this. Everyone knew that killing would not be


    allowed this year, but we hadn’t heard about the potential to be executed.


    “Now, before we get started, if anyone chooses to be removed from any or all of the females’ ims,


    you may go over to the tables behind you and have your names removed.”


    I turn, heading over to remove myself from McKenna and Katerina’s ims. I’m sure they are great


    women, but they aren’t for me.


    I walk to the table and tell them I only want to be included in Layan’s im. Last year, when Mason did


    this with Jara, I thought it was crazy. Now, I feel like I have a much better understanding of why he did


    this. There is not now, nor will there ever be anyone for me, but Layan.


    When I turn to head back to stand in the crowd. I see all three females looking at me curiously. Well,


    Katerina is nodding as if I’ve acted the way she expected. McKenna looks surprised and Layan


    looks…. nervous. I hope she doesn’t think that there is anything that would ever cause me to remove


    myself from her im. When everyone is done, they give the notes to the females of the males that


    want to be excluded from their ims. Not surprisingly, Layan got several, where it looks like the other


    two only got mine. I see McKenna’s head snap up in my direction, but I don’t look at her. I watch as


    Layan looks at hers. She quickly goes through them and when she doesn’t see my name, she looks up


    at me, giving me one of her sweet smiles, the kind that’s impossible not to return.


    I see Katerina nudge her as Councilman Phillip walks to the microphone.


    Katerina shows Layan the slip that she got, watching me as she does. I see Layan jerk back in surprise


    and she turns back to me.


    I take my hand and tap it over my heart before pointing at her. My heart belongs to her.


    Even from here, I can see the beautiful blush of her cheeks, even though she ducks her head and tries


    to hide it. Katerina gives me a knowing look before turning back to watch Councilman Phillip. I notice


    that McKenna still has a frown on her face.


    They begin the pomp and circumstance of the iming, having each female introduce themselves. It’s


    easy to see that McKenna is a flirt. She reminds me a bit of Hana. She would make a good Luna and


    be best suited to someone that would appreciate her mischievous nature.


    Next up is Katerina. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Layan, I’d have gone for Katerina. I know about the


    conversation that she had with Jonas and it takes some guts to tell a man like him that she isn’t willing


    to have him as a mate because of his actions. Jonas has been reeling since that conversation. Katerina


    is strong. I would be shocked if one of the Alphas doesn’t catch her. She will make a great Luna.


    And then there is my sweet Layan. She walks up and quietly introduces herself. She looks up and


    makes eye contact with Alpha Davis and I just catch myself from snarling out loud. But then, she looks


    at me and my wolf calms.


    “Now, let’s draw names to see which order the imings will ur.” Councilman Phillip says.


    Councilwoman Gia brings out the bowl with all three names and without looking, Councilman Phillip


    reaches in and pulls a name.


    He looks at it then looks at us. “Katerina.”


    Cheers go up all around and I watch as Katerina inclines her head to the crowd.


    “Next.” He reaches into the bowl again, pulling a name.


    “McKenna.”


    The cheers go up again. I sigh. I was hoping to get Layan out of here sooner rather thanter, but it


    looks like she’s stuck here for the entire process.


    “And ourst contestant, Layan, with be third.” Phillip confirms, looking over at her. There are more


    cheers and I can tell all this attention is making her ufortable. I see her look up at me and I wink at


    her. I see a smile twitching on her lips.


    “Now, Katerina, if you will join me, I’d like to know if you have decided on any of your imants yet.”


    Phillip says, bringing Katerina to the microphone.


    “Yes, Councilman, I have.” She says into the microphone. You could hear a feather drop it’s so quiet on


    this field right now.


    “Go ahead.”


    “Alpha Davis, Alpha Quinton, Alpha Luke, Warrior Jake and Warrior Thomas.” She says.


    I hear a whoop from one of the warriors and several chuckles from the crowd. Katerina steps back and


    Phillip gestures for McKenna to join him.


    “Do you have any males that you’d like to invite to your iming, McKenna?” He asks her.


    “Yes.” She says, her eyes on me, frowning.


    “Go ahead when you’re ready.”


    “Alphas Jonas, Quinton, Luke and Davis. And Beta Jared.” She says, finally turning her attention away


    from me.


    “Excellent. Now, Layan dear.” He says as McKenna steps back.


    “Have you had a chance to decide on any of the males you want to invite to your im, Layan?”


    “Yes.” She says quietly.


    “And who would you like to invite?” He asks her.


    “Elijah and Alpha Davis.”


    My heart drops, but I force a smile when she looks at me. Alpha Davis. I knew that she’d chose him,


    but I wasn’t expecting it as quickly as she chose me. He is definitely my biggestpetition. But, I


    refuse to let her see anything other than my happiness that she chose me to be part of her im.


    “There you have it gentlemen. I would suggest that you get to know this year’s females. We will allow


    them to announce each day who they would like to invite to their iming. There are several events


    nned today that will allow all of you to get to know this year’s females. I would suggest that you take


    part in as many as possible so that our females have a chance to get to know you. Have a nice day.


    I turn to head over to Mason when I hear McKenna calling me.


    “Beta Elijah. Beta Elijah.” She jumps off the stage andes rushing over to me. I can see Layan out


    of the corner of my eye watching me a moment, but she doesn’t linger. Damn, I wanted to walk back


    with them.


    “Hi McKenna. What can I do for you?” She looks at me and then around us before stepping aside, out


    of easy earshot from the males walking around.


    “I wanted to know why you excluded yourself from my iming. I had intended to call your name today.


    Okay, this is a surprise. I honestly figured with nearly 400 males, me excluding myself wouldn’t matter,


    but apparently to her, it does.


    “McKenna, I’m sure you are a wonderful person. And if one of the Alphas catches you, you’ll make a


    great Luna. But my heart belongs to Layan. There can be no one else for me but her. I would be doing


    you and me a disservice by entering your im. I have no intention of iming you or anyone other


    than Layan.”


    “But, Beta, even with a small number of imants, it’s still a possibility that someone else might im


    her. Are you sure you’re willing to risk it, only entering one im?”


    “I am. She’s worth it to me. Thank you very much for your interest, but I need to go.” I tell her, walking


    away. If I hurry, I can catch up to them and walk with Layan.


    I barely notice that McKenna stands, watching me, as I race off toward Layan.