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.

first, then Annabel. Hana looks up at me. “What are they

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

stand with you. No matter what it takes, we make sure she goes

takes.” I say

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

terrified look and Hana and I take one of her hands and walk her onto the stage. I turn and

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

unfortunate event

whimper behind me as she breaks down into tears. Annabel rushes to her,

over the crowd, causing them all to go

me?” Elder Carson says, turning

no. Layan is in no condition to go back into the claiming territory. She will be allowed to go home with her family.” I point to where her parents

have no jurisdiction

say, that girl will go back into the claiming territory over my dead body.” I hear a collective

any of you savage beasts that think you can get to her, will have

next to me. “And, you’ll have to go through me. I’d rather die than let any one of you lot

we are standing. “And you’ll have to go through me.

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

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

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

over and her mother comes and wraps her arms around her. Layan 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, no matter who declares it. Go with your parents back to your room. Hana and 1 will be there soon.” I turn and look