The Claiming by Cooper

Jara

I like Hana immediately. She and I are obviously in the same situation, not wanting to be a part of this ridiculous pageantry put into place by the Elders to ensure a ‘stronger generation’.

I follow the guard who is pushing my luggage. “Do you mind if I join you?” Hana asks me.

“Not at all. When did you get here?” I ask her, as we move through a kitchen to a hallway.

“A couple of hours ago. Just long enough to realize that it’s terribly boring here, super quiet and heavily guarded.”

As she says that, we turn down a corridor that has two guards at every door. “Our rooms. Each one is guarded by two guards at all times. They don’t say much.” She tells me.

“So, ten guards at all times?” I ask. That’s almost as much as my escort here.

“Oh, that’s just in this hallway. I’ve counted another 20 in the main part of the house, and I haven’t had a chance to check yet, but I’ve seen some others guarding the perimeter outside.”

“Are they trying to keep us in, or the guys out?” I ask as the guard stops at a room and opens the door. He holds his arm out, keeping me from stepping inside. Instead, he walks in, checking everything before allowing me to enter. I look at Hana and she just shrugs. “I guess they’re very serious about keeping us safe until our claiming.”

“To answer your question, Alpha,” the guard says as he pushes my

ng into pages now

luggage into my room, “we are here to keep the five of you safe. While it is not our intent to make you feel like a prisoner, we do ask that you stay within the confines of the house and perimeter so that we are better able to ensure your safety at all times.”

“What’s your name?” I ask him.

“Luke, Alpha. And Beta, there will always be a total of 50 guards inside the house and around the perimeter. We will be rotating shifts.”

“I’m guessing you’re all mated males?” I ask.

“Yes Alpha. Elder Carson made sure that we all have living mates, and we were all put through rigorous testing to guarantee that we would be able to keep all of this year’s contestants safe, but specifically the two of you.”

I ask, looking between Luke and Hana. Hana looks

Alpha. They all arrived before Beta

they?”

radio on his shoulder and asks the location of

the perimeter

roll our eyes at that. We couldn’t care

you, Luke. I’m sure we’ll see you

He nods at

as he leaves, pulling the door closed

I stay while you unpack?”

I tell her, gesturing to a desk and chair on one side of

that will be the bathroom.” She points to another closed door right next to it. “It’s actually not a bad set up, if we weren’t here for the claiming.”

she is the oldest of two children born to her parents. Her brother is younger and not eligible to be a claimant in

with you?”

him he didn’t have to stay. He is still the acting Beta until my brother turns 18, so it’s not like he has time to sit here for a month or more. And I knew my mother wouldn’t be able to stay with me, so what’s the point? It’s not like I’ m going to go home unless I’m lucky enough to walk out unclaimed. So, I said my goodbyes before I left and drove here with

her. “Are any of your

by someone you don’t know, or being claimed

rather know the person. Although, if I think about who is here from my pack, it is kind of gross to

that asshole Alpha is back in the claimant pool again. How is

we’d be treated better, more reverently since we’re the only possible future werewolves have.

of the

house and our guards have to taste it first to make sure it’s not drugged. Crazy,

that concerned about these guys acting crazy, why didn’t

Hana says as we walk into

hall with guards stationed at every door. They don’t watch us, but they nod in acknowledgement as we pass. I sniff and none

it weird that none of our guards are Alphas?” I whisper to Hana as we leave the hallway.

“They’re all older. I assumed the claimings they attended were back in the days when the pool of she-wolves was larger. Maybe Alphas don’t have time to dedicate to this process or maybe there

dining room, the three omegas are already there.

She says, pointing to a gentle looking blond girl. “And this is Annabel.” She