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.

asleep first, then Annabel. Hana looks up at me. “What are they going to do with her?” She

letting them put her back into

what it takes, we

takes.”

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

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

And while these unfortunate

events? This man is delusional. An unfortunate event is breaking a leg,

I hear Layan whimper behind me as she breaks down into tears. Annabel rushes to her, holding her as she crumbles to the

say, my voice ringing out over the crowd, causing

me?” Elder Carson says,

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 are standing and only now see that Layan’s

have no jurisdiction here. The

girl will go back into the claiming

get to her,

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

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

Mason says, making eye contact with

beside them. One after another, the

tomorrow. He can decide.

looks at me. “Will they really put me back

I won’t allow it, no matter who declares it. Go with your parents back to your room. Hana