The Claiming by Cooper

Jara

Contestants? They call us contestants as if we chose to be here. As if this is some beauty pageant that we applied to participate in.

I don’t bother to pay any attention to the ones that are pulled for my “social gathering”. I have no interest in getting to know any of these assholes.

They pack us back into our SUVs and we return to our temporary housing. Mignon, Layan and Annabel arrived before us, and they are already inside chittering about the events of today.

“Hey, do you know who that man was that stood up for you today?” Hana asks as we walk inside.

I throw myself on the couch in the living area. “You mean Seth? He’ s my brother.”

“You have a brother in the claiming?” Mignon says, coming to sit beside me.

“He would be eligible for any of our claimings, wouldn’t he?” Annabel asks.

I look at them. “Yes, he is.” I say, looking at Hana, who comes to sit with us. “But I’m pretty sure he’s chosen to be in Hana’s claim.” I say, giving her a ‘sorry’ look.

She looks at me a moment. “Is he a good man?”

“He’s a great Alpha, a better brother and I’m guessing an even better mate. You heard him today. He doesn’t think of us as objects. And he loves my spirit.”

Hana thinks this over a minute. “Maybe you could introduce me after dinner tonight?”

I smirk at her. “That would make his night.”

“So, who got pulled for your social gathering tonight?” Mignon asks and the omegas begin chittering again about tonight’s event. First, there will be a social gathering. Then there will be a dinner where we will sit with a different group of males, forced to interact. And finally, there will be free time where we are expected to interact with all the claimants. There will be dancing and socializing, but all of us will have an assigned guard as well as a full entourage of guards at the event.

socializing events and tonight starts my elimination. Since there. will be dancing, only someone that knows the Argentinian Tango will be allowed to dance with me. It’s rare enough that werewolves learn how to dance, that I’m hoping I can deny all of them my time. And in an effort to push the wolves into a testosterone induced fight, I’m wearing a practically sheer black lace dress. The dress is off the shoulder but has sleeves that go to my wrists with a piece that hooks over my middle finger, holding it in place. The dress falls just below my knees but has a slit on the right side that is high enough that I will have no problem with the tango kicks and will also give

makeup to my eyes. I finish the look

I see that Hana has a similar idea. I can’t help but smile as I see her. Her

She’s finished her look with red heels similar in design to mine and a red chocker that will definitely cause chaos

sees me. “If we don’t cause mayhem tonight, then we’ve definitely done something wrong.” She says, linking her arm in

They aren’t planning to incite a riot and I have a moment of guilt before I push it away. These omegas are excited about finding their mates. I wish I could share their joy and excitement, but

pink, sequined, spaghetti strap dress that is floor length but has a slit up to her thigh. Layan, on the other hand, has a pure white dress with spaghetti straps that falls in layers to the floor. It’s perfect for her, capturing her image of sweetness and innocence.

into the cars and head to the first event of the evening. I turn to

is no

depressing.” Hana says.

an evil grin. “I guess we’ll

going to ignore them?” Sweet Layan asks me.

“I

She asks Hana.

spoiling their fun as well. “We’ll see who’s in my group.” She says.

to the rooms

you ready, Alpha?” Luke

me all night,

“Yes, Alpha.”

twitch again as he opens the door to the room. Immediately, 20

held high. I intend to look at all of them with disdain and then proceed to ignore them, but the

walk over to him. “What

his hand. “I’m Beta Elijah, Alpha

pulls it to his lips, kissing it. His eyes never leave mine.