The Claiming by Cooper

Mason

When we arrive at the claiming territory, it’s a madhouse. The line to get in was ridiculous, made longer as we had to wait while a car in front of us was surrounded by an escort and taken away.

“Which one do you think that was?” Elijah asks beside me.

“The Alpha or the Beta, if I had to guess.”

We finally make our way through, getting the explanation that if we were to go into the sectioned off area for the females without prior approval, we will be shot on sight. The penalty, if you survived the silver bullet, is disqualification from this and all future claimings.

“They mean business. The security has never been like this before.”

“We’ve never had a claiming like this before, at least not in recent years.”

As we turn toward the main house, we can see the driveway to the females temporary housing. We’ve been given a map and the clearly identified ‘off-limits’ areas. I’m guessing that they are not only marked on the map, but also around their building as well.

When we get to the main house, we wait to get our parking spot, then we wait in line to check in. Housing is limited and rather than housing the females in the same building as some of the males, they have them in their own building and are doubling us up. Thankfully, Elijah and I are in the same room.

When we’re finally checked in, we grab out bags and get to our room. Tonight, we won’t see the contestants for this year’s

starting tomorrow morning, I’ll get my first look at

our room, Elijah and I agree to go back downstairs and begin to meet our competition. I know not everyone here is a ranked werewolf, so I’ll be interested to get a feel for

wolves join the group. If the elders aren’t careful, this energy could get out of control very easily. There are too many of us and everyone wants to find their

built to handle this level of masculine energy and it’s possible that he mouthed off to the wrong

omegas are all safe and notice that they are subtly moving toward me and Elijah. If this turns

of teeth and claws.” Elijah says just as

would suggest that you get yourselves under control, or

at this and

our

Alpha aura pushing off him to every claimant in the room. “I am in charge. here, not you. This is my domain, and I will not have our females threatened in any way. If you cannot maintain composure during the competition, you will be disqualified and asked to leave

but everyone does a better job of holding themselves together for the rest of the

Most of the packs sit together, but there are notable differences. Some packs obviously only allow ranked members to sit together, while others allow anyone to sit with them, including other packs. I fall into the latter category and that’s how I end up sitting with Alpha

I, at only twenty years old. But there’s something about him that I like. I can tell he’s intelligent and not the kind of Alpha that rules with fear like some of the others

room before coming and finding a seat at my

I hope it’s okay if I

to admit, I’m surprised that you’re not sitting with your

before turning to his food. “They all intend to try and claim