The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 5

Jara

I like Hana immediately. She and I are obviously in the same situation, not wanting to be a part of this ridiculous pageantry put into place by the Elders to ensure a ‘stronger generation’.

I follow the guard who is pushing my luggage. “Do you mind if I join you?” Hana asks me.

Title of the document

“Not at all. When did you get here?” I ask her, as we move through a kitchen to a hallway.

“A couple of hours ago. Just long enough to realize that it’s terribly boring here, super quiet and heavily guarded.”

As she says that, we turn down a corridor that has two guards at every door. “Our rooms. Each one is guarded by two guards at all times. They don’t say much.” She tells me.

“So, ten guards at all times?” I ask. That’s almost as much as my escort here.

“Oh. that’s just in this hallway. I’ve counted another 20 in the main part of the house, and I haven’t had a chance to check yet, but I’ve seen some others guarding the perimeter outside.” “Are they hying to keep us in, or the guys out?” I ask as the guard stops at a room and opens the door. He holds his arm out, keeping me from stepping inside. Instead, he walks in, checking everything before allowing me to enter. I look at Hana and she just shrugs. “I guess they’re very serious about keeping us safe until our claiming.”

“To answer your question. Alpha,” the guard says as he pushes my luggage into my room, “we are here to keep the five of you safe. While it is not our intent to make you feel like a prisoner, we do ask that you stay within the confines of the house and perimeter so that we are better able to ensure your safety at all times.”

“What’s your name?” I ask him.

“Luke, Alpha. And Beta, there will always be a total of 50 guards inside the house and around the perimeter. We will be rotating shifts.”

“I’m guessing you’re all mated males?” I ask.

all put through rigorous testing to guarantee that we would be

looking between Luke and Hana. Hana looks

all

are they?” She

leans over to the radio on his shoulder and

the males as

sure we’ll see you

you will. Alpha.” He nods at Hana.

he leaves, pulling the door closed behind him “Do

a seat.” I tell her, gesturing to a desk and chair on

side of the room. “And that will be the bathroom.” She points to another closed door right

next few weeks. I learn that she is the oldest of two children born to her parents. Her brother is younger

your parents come with you?” I

or more. And I knew my mother wouldn’t be able to stay with me, so what’s the point? It’s not like I’m going to go home unless I’m lucky enough to walk out unclaimed. So, I said my goodbyes before I left and

her. “Are any of your

by someone you don’t know, or being

my sister, I guess I’d rather know the person. Although, if I think about who is here from my pack, it is kind of gross

about your sister. I heard that a*s*shole Alpha is back in the claimant pool again. How

You’d think we’d be treated better, more reverently since we’re the only

the sounds of the others as

hear it’s being brought in from the main house and

that concerned about these guys acting crazy, why didn’t they screen them

says as we

with guards stationed at every door. They don’t watch us, but they nod in acknowledgement as we pass. I sniff and none of them

are Alphas?” I whisper to Hana

the pool of she-wolves was larger Maybe Alphas don’t have time