The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 32

It was hours before Layan finally woke.

When she did, she looked around and immediately broke into tears. We all moved around her, hugging her and letting her know that she’s safe here.

“Your parents are on their way.” I say, because I don’t know what else to say. I’m angry that 1 couldn’t keep her safe, that she and the rest of us are being forced into this entire process.

Title of the document

“Will… will you stay with me until they get here?” She asks quietly.

“I’ll stay here as long as you want me, we all will. Claiming be damned. That pack of savages can go hang for all I care.”

A ghost of a smile crosses her face before she turns her face away and I see tears dripping from her eyes to the pillow.

“How about, I lay here with you, so you know, even in your sleep, that you’re safe?”

She turns and looks at me, before nodding. I crawl into the bed beside her.

“And I can lay on your other side, so you’re wrapped in love and protection.” Hana says, crawling into her bed on the other side.

“Come on, Annabel. You can join us too.” I make space between myself and Layan and Annabel crawls in between us. I wrap my arm around the two of them and feel Hana lay her arm across them, holding on to me. We’ve wrapped them in our embrace.

up at me. “What are they going to do

put her back into

stand with you. No matter what it

it takes.” I

the morning, and Elder Carson called a meeting in the early afternoon. According to Mason, he’s been replaced, but his replacement won’t be here until tomorrow. Apparently, he intends to continue acting like he’s in charge until

I take one of her hands and walk her onto the stage. I turn and nod for Annabel to join us. We will be presenting a unified front to these males. They do not get to choose what

aware of what has happened to the Omega Layan. And while these unfortunate events have caused a delay in

delusional. An unfortunate event is

will go back into the claiming territory.” I hear Layan whimper behind me as she breaks down into tears. Annabel rushes to her, holding her

over the crowd, causing them all to go

Carson says, turning to

home with her family.” I point

Jara. You have no jurisdiction

say, that girl will go back into the claiming territory over my dead body.” I hear a collective gasp from every male in the crowd

of you savage beasts that think you can get to her, will have go through me.”

have to go through me. I’d rather die than

you’ll have to go through me. I believe the

to go through me.” Mason says, making eye contact with me

after another, the true ranked members come to stand side by side,

“Fine! We will wait until my replacement shows up tomorrow. He can decide. Good

parents over and her mother comes and wraps her arms around her. Layan looks at me. “Will they really put me back in there? I can’t, Jara. I can’t…”

going back in there over my dead body. I won’t allow it, no matter who declares it. Go with your parents back