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.

up at me. “What are they going to do with her?” She asks

letting them put her back into the claiming territory. She needs

you. No matter what it takes,

takes.”

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 until

the stage. I turn and nod

to the Omega Layan. And while these

This man is delusional. An unfortunate event is breaking

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

say, my voice ringing out over the crowd, causing them

me?” Elder Carson

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 father is supporting her

Jara. You have no

SAID. 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 a collective gasp from every male in the crowd at my

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

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

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

me.” Mason says, making eye contact with me

them. One after another, the true

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 into the

parents over and her mother comes and wraps her arms around her. Layan looks at me. “Will they really put

over my dead body. I won’t allow it, no matter who declares it. Go with your parents back