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.

looks up at me. “What are they

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

stand with you. No matter what it

what it takes.” I

a meeting in the early

to the 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

the Omega Layan. And while these unfortunate events have caused a

This man is delusional. An unfortunate event is breaking a leg, not being

back into the claiming territory.” I hear Layan whimper behind me as she breaks down into tears.

say, my voice ringing out over

Elder Carson

to go home with her family.” I point

You have no jurisdiction here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

my replacement shows up tomorrow. He can decide. Good luck if he

wraps her arms around her. Layan looks at me. “Will they really put me back in there? I can’t, Jara. I can’t…” She breaks

next to her, stroking her 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 there soon.”