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.

at me.

don’t know, but 1 have no intention of letting them put her back into the claiming territory. She

No matter what it takes,

matter what it takes.” I

days later, we found out what they planned for Layan. She was released from the hospital in the morning, and Elder Carson called a meeting in the early afternoon. According to Mason, he’s been replaced, but

the stage. I turn and nod for Annabel to join us. We will be presenting a unified front to

these unfortunate events have caused a delay in the claiming process,

This man is delusional. An unfortunate event is breaking a leg,

hear Layan whimper behind me as she

I say, my voice ringing out over the crowd,

me?” Elder Carson

allowed to go home with her family.” I point to where her parents are standing and only

no jurisdiction here.

authority here than you do, Elder. Believe me when I say, that girl will go back into the claiming territory over

you savage beasts that think you can get to her, will have go through

me. I’d rather die than let any one of you lot

of the stage where we are standing. “And you’ll have to go through me. I believe the omega

Mason says, making eye contact with me before turning

them. One after another, the true

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

looks at me. “Will they

tries to comfort her. “I was serious, Layan. You’re going back in there over my dead body. I won’t allow it,