The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 5

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

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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.”

“Have the three omegas arrived?” I ask, looking between Luke and Hana. Hana looks at Luke.

“Yes Alpha. They all arrived before Beta Hana.”

“Where are they?” She asks.

He leans over to the radio on his shoulder and asks the location of the three omegas.

We both hear that they are outside looking around the perimeter trying to see the males as they arrive.

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

“Thank you, Luke. I’m sure we’ll see you around.”

“Yes, you will, Alpha.” He nods at Hana. “Beta.”

We, watch as he leaves, pulling the door closed behind him. “Do

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

“Have a seat.” I tell her, gesturing to a desk and chair on one side of the room.

“If 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 claiming.” She states, making at face at the last part.

We chat as I unpack, getting myself settled 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 eligible to be a claimant in the claiming yet.

“Did your parents come with you?” I ask her.

“My dad dropped me off, but 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 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 some of my packmates.”