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.”

arrived?” I ask, looking between Luke and Hana. Hana

They all arrived

are they?” She

shoulder and

are outside looking around the perimeter

eyes at that.

Luke. I’m sure we’ll see you

He nods at

he leaves, pulling the door closed behind him.

stay while you unpack?”

gesturing to a desk and chair on one side of the room.

points to another

of two children born to her parents. Her brother is younger and not

come with you?”

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

turn and look at her. “Are any of your packmates going to try to

claimed by someone you

person. Although, if I think about who is here

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

possible future werewolves have. But instead, it just feels like

to hear the sounds of the others

nearly dinner time. I hear it’s being brought in from the main house and our guards have to taste it first to make sure it’s not

guys acting crazy, why didn’t they screen them better?”

Hana says as we walk into

They don’t watch us, but they

guards are Alphas?” I whisper to Hana as

when the pool of she-wolves was larger. Maybe Alphas don’t have time to dedicate to this process or maybe there

room, the

One of the girls says. She has long, straight black hair. “I’m Mignon. This is Layan.” She says, pointing to a gentle