The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 3

Jara

I’ve packed my things. I won’t be coming back here unless I’m extremely lucky. Seth, on the other hand, is packing for six weeks. There is a week before the claiming begins where the claimants can get to know the females eligible for the claim. It’s also the tune where the rules are announced and agreed to by all contenders, and the lotteries are drawn. This year, only the first four lotteries will be pulled. Everyone left after the first four claims will be eligible to join my claim.

I hug my parents’ goodbye. I told them they didn’t have to come this year. They had such high hopes for Mila. Going back to the claiming would only traumatize them, having to remember the last time they ever saw their daughter. I want our last time together to be positive, and I have to hope that I’

Title of the document

I’ll be coming home with Seth. If not, this may be the last time I ever see my parents. It will be dependent on the one who claims me and if he allows me to visit. Alpha Typhon never let my sister out of his sight.

My mother is hugging me and sobbing, terrified that I’ll end up like my sister.

My father finally has to come and force her to let me go. She then hugs Seth, knowing she’ll see him soon. He’ll be back one way or the other, only the females are forced to move to the male’s packs.

My father hugs me tightly. “Remember everything I’ve taught you, Jara. You’re strong, smart and fast. Use everything you know to stay safe. And if it gets to the point where you won’t get out unclaimed, you make the choice. You choose who gets to mark you.”

“I will dad. Thank you, for everything. I love you both and I hope to see you soon.”

As Seth and I pull away, I wave to my parents. My father has his arm wrapped around my mother’s shoulders, standing stoically as she sobs against his chest. Just before we turn down the road to the claiming, I see him wipe a tear from his face. I look away, I have to stay strong, and seeing my father break down will break me. He’s an Alpha male, they don’t cry or show any weakness. My father has always been the strength of our family and our pack. I hate that this is breaking him.

“I heard they had to expand the apartments and the territory this year because of the large number of claimants.” Seth says as we drive.

“I’m not surprised. I bet they have guards for us too. With this many males and so many of them Alpha males, they’ll need to make sure that none of us are claimed before we make it to the ceremony.”

Seth gives me a side eye glance, a smile twitching at his lips. “I’d like to see any one of them try to mark you outside the claim.”

me inside the claim.” I say snarkily, earning a

trip going over the biggest competitors for

Elijah, are in the competition again this

“I saw that.”

seem so

and look at him. “Why

saying, both of them and

met either of

claiming’s, and I think they might have been at Mila’s too. I spoke to them briefly, but I could tell that neither of them was happy that

course, they weren’t. It meant that they

that. It was like they had no respect for him. I wasn’t in her claim, obviously, so I don’t know exactly what happened, but it apparently wasn’t something that was illegal.

that our female population is

as we pull into the claiming territory. There’s a line to get into the territory. It

always like this?” I ask

were right about the guards.” It’s nearly a half an hour before we get to the gate.

“Name?”

“Seth and Jara Lykos.”

guard’s eyes immediately look up and lock onto me. I watch as he sniffs the air before he leans his head to a radio on

He says, turning to the

He whispers to the guy.

about?” Seth

that none of the females are forcibly marked before their claiming. As

I get to arrive with

are in a separate building from the males. You‘re going to follow the escort to the female apartments. Once her bags are unpacked, you must leave the area immediately. The only

says as six cars pull up, two putting

up slowly, Mr. Lykos. Once the escort has surrounded your vehicle, they will direct you