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.

Annabel. Hana looks up at me. “What are they

letting them put her back into the claiming territory. She

it takes, we make sure

takes.” I say to

released from the hospital in the morning, and Elder Carson called a meeting in the early afternoon. According

look and Hana and I take one of her hands and walk her onto the stage. I turn and nod for Annabel to

Layan. And while these unfortunate events have caused a delay in

is delusional. An unfortunate event

Layan whimper behind me as she

say, my voice ringing out over the crowd, causing

Elder Carson says, turning to

to go home with her family.” I point to where

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

can get to her, will have

rather die than let any one of you lot claim her. None of you deserve

of the stage where we are standing. “And you’ll have to go

me.” Mason says, making eye contact with

after another, the true ranked members come

Carson snarls at me. “Fine! We will wait until my replacement shows up tomorrow. He can decide. Good luck if he decides to put her back

and her mother comes and wraps her arms around her. Layan looks at me. “Will

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 there soon.” I