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.

letting them put her back into the claiming territory. She needs to go home with

matter what it takes, we make sure

what it takes.” I say

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

stage. She gives me a terrified look and Hana and 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

happened to the Omega Layan. And while these unfortunate events have caused a delay in the claiming process, the claim

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

into the claiming territory.” I hear Layan whimper behind me as

say, my voice ringing out over the crowd, causing them all to go

me?” Elder Carson says,

her family.” I point to where her parents are standing and only

You have no jurisdiction here.

And I have more authority here than you do, Elder. Believe me when I say, that girl will go back into the claiming territory over my dead body.” I hear a collective gasp

think you can get

I’d rather die than let any

comes to stand in front of the stage where we are standing. “And you’ll have to go through me.

have to go through me.” Mason says, making

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

He can decide. Good luck if he decides to put her back into the claiming territory.” He

her arms around her. Layan looks at me. “Will they really put me back in there? I can’t,

hair while her mother tries to comfort her. “I was serious, Layan. You’re going back in there over my dead body. I won’t allow it, no matter who declares it. Go with your parents back to your room. Hana and 1 will be