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. “What are they going to do with

but 1 have no intention of letting them put her back into the claiming territory. She needs to go home with

you. No matter what it takes, we make

matter what it takes.”

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 his replacement won’t be here

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 front to these males. They do not get to choose what

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

is delusional. An unfortunate event is

as she breaks down into tears. Annabel rushes to her, holding her as she crumbles to

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

me?” Elder Carson says,

claiming territory. She will be allowed to go home with her family.” I point to where her parents are standing and only now see that Layan’s father is supporting her mother who looks horrified

Jara. You have no jurisdiction

NO! 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

get to her, will have go through me.” I snarl at

to me. “And, you’ll have to go through me. I’d rather

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

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

stand beside them. One after another, the true ranked members

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

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,

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