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.”

ask, looking between Luke and Hana. Hana

arrived before

are they?” She

to the radio on his shoulder and asks the location of the three

they are outside looking around the perimeter trying to see the males as they arrive.

eyes at that. We couldn’t

sure we’ll see you

you will, Alpha.” He nods at

he leaves, pulling the door closed behind

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

to a desk and chair on one

you’re 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 to it. “It’s actually not a bad set up, if we weren’t here for

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

your parents come with you?” I

I told 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

and look at her. “Are any of

claimed by someone you don’t know, or being claimed by someone you grew up with and know really

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

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

we’d be treated better, more reverently since we’re the only possible future werewolves have. But instead, it just feels like we’re chattel

sounds of the others as I finish

being brought in from the main house and our guards have to

these guys acting

Hana says as we walk into the

us, but they nod in acknowledgement as we pass. I sniff

Alphas?” I whisper to Hana as we

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

we get to the dining room, the three

girls says. She has long, straight black hair. “I’m Mignon. This is Layan.” She says, pointing to a gentle looking blond girl. “And this is Annabel.” She says pointing the last girl whose hair is dark blond, verging on