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

They all arrived before

they?”

to the radio on his shoulder and

the perimeter trying

roll our eyes at that. We couldn’t care less.

you, Luke. I’m sure we’ll see you

will, Alpha.” He nods at Hana.

pulling the door closed behind him.

mind if I stay while you unpack?” Hana asks.

a desk and chair on one

room is like mine, that will be the walk-in closet.” She points to a closed door on the opposite side of the room. “And that will be the bathroom.” She points to another closed door right next

next few weeks. I learn that she is the oldest of two children born to her parents. Her brother is younger and not

with you?” I

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

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

you don’t know, or being claimed by

Although, if I think about who is here from my pack, it is kind of gross to think about having to mate with

And I’m sorry about your sister. I heard that asshole Alpha is back in the claimant pool again. How is that even

treated better, more reverently since we’re the only possible future werewolves

of the others as

brought in from the main house and our guards have to taste it first to

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

Hana says as we walk into

walking down the hall with guards stationed at every door. They don’t watch us, but they nod in acknowledgement as we pass.

are Alphas?” I whisper to Hana as

“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 aren’t enough left? Who

the dining room, the three

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