The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Chapter 36

Jara

The next morning, we all wake up a bit later than usual. Over breakfast, Annabel is chatting happily. She had a really great time last night and Alpha Antonio had been given permission to cany her to her bed, under the surveillance of a guard. When he had laid her down and removed her shoes, she had woken up and he had gently kissed her goodnight.

“It was my first kiss.” She says, her eyes glazing over with the memory and her fingers touching her lips.

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She refocuses on us. “Are their lips always so warm and soft?” She asks us.

“No.” Hana says and we both turn to look at her. I’ve only ever kissed Mason and his lips are always warm and soft.

She grimaces at us. “Some warrior in my pack kissed me in school one day. His lips were cold and cracked. It wasn’t a nice experience.” I watch as her eyes glaze over. “But Seth’s lips are always warm and soft.”

“Maybe it’s because they are Alpha’s? Mason’s are the same.” I say shyly.

We all get lost in our thoughts for a moment. “How do you think they will feel about getting re-evaluated?” Annabel asks.

have them removed. He seems very intent on making sure we’re safe. If

to get re-evaluated so he can

are. I’m wondering if he’s planning to surround the stage with guards and when we arrive,

wink or one blows a kiss. While I like

feel a prickle at the back of my neck, and I look out over the crowd again. Alpha Typhon is staring at me with hard eyes. He’s not happy about last night. I give my shoulders a slight shrug as if to say ‘too bad’ before turning my attention back to Elder Jason who is walking up to the

turns and looks at us. “Good morning, ladies.” A chorus of ‘good mornings’ echoes over the

sent home.” He stops and while no one actively expresses anger at this, there is a

the chatter dies down, Elder Jason continues. “Second, every male claimant will be

begin actively complaining, saying they’ve already been a*s*sessed, calling this outrageous,

bellows and the crowd quiets

if you want to enter the claiming territory to claim one of this year’s contestants, you will do so. That is your choice.” There is a lot of grumbling, but I see several males nodding their head in agreement. Mason being one of them. He catches me watching him and he winks

Annabel will be scheduled to enter the claiming territory. If, for any reason, one of her claimants does not pass their evaluation, you will be

to look at us. “The claiming territory will be thoroughly cleaned before you enter, Annabel. I will be checking

quietly. We all know what that means. All the blood from Layan and the mutilated wolves has to be washed away. Elder Jason seems to understand that if Annabel smells what happened during Layan’s claiming, she may become terrified and unable to proceed with

Annabel will have a social gathering with her group this evening. Those that choose to submit to evaluation from Beta Hana’s group will be allowed to attend her social gatherings this evening

group as last night. Last night was the best time I’ve had since

the rea*s*sessment of Beta Hana’s lottery claimants and begin a*s*sessment of Alpha Jara’s claimants. The a*s*sessors will be arriving in the next hour. If you are in Annabel’s lottery, please step forward. The rest of you are dismissed for now. If you choose to exclude yourself from re-evaluation, please pack your bags and leave the territory before

of Annabel’s claimants step forward. The last one walks away, conceivably to leave the