The Claiming By Cooper

Chapter 3

The Claiming by Cooper (Jara & Mason)

Jara

I’ve packed my things. I won’t be coming back here unless I’m extremely lucky. Seth, on the other hand, is packing for six weeks. There is a week before the claiming begins where the claimants can get to know the females eligible for the claim. It’s also the tune where the rules are announced and agreed to by all contenders, and the lotteries are drawn. This year, only the first four lotteries will be pulled. Everyone left after the first four claims will be eligible to join my claim.

I hug my parents’ goodbye. I told them they didn’t have to come this year. They had such high hopes for Mila. Going back to the claiming would only traumatize them, having to remember the last time they ever saw their daughter. I want our last time together to be positive, and I have to hope that I’

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I’ll be coming home with Seth. If not, this may be the last time I ever see my parents. It will be dependent on the one who claims me and if he allows me to visit. Alpha Typhon never let my sister out of his sight.

My mother is hugging me and sobbing, terrified that I’ll end up like my sister.

My father finally has to come and force her to let me go. She then hugs Seth, knowing she’ll see him soon. He’ll be back one way or the other, only the females are forced to move to the male’s packs.

My father hugs me tightly. “Remember everything I’ve taught you, Jara. You’re strong, smart and fast. Use everything you know to stay safe. And if it gets to the point where you won’t get out unclaimed, you make the choice. You choose who gets to mark you.”

“I will dad. Thank you, for everything. I love you both and I hope to see you soon.”

As Seth and I pull away, I wave to my parents. My father has his arm wrapped around my mother’s shoulders, standing stoically as she sobs against his chest. Just before we turn down the road to the claiming, I see him wipe a tear from his face. I look away, I have to stay strong, and seeing my father break down will break me. He’s an Alpha male, they don’t cry or show any weakness. My father has always been the strength of our family and our pack. I hate that this is breaking him.

“I heard they had to expand the apartments and the territory this year because of the large number of claimants.” Seth says as we drive.

“I’m not surprised. I bet they have guards for us too. With this many males and so many of them Alpha males, they’ll need to make sure that none of us are claimed before we make it to the ceremony.”

Seth gives me a side eye glance, a smile twitching at his lips. “I’d like to see any one of them try to mark you outside the claim.”

“Most of them will be lucky to mark me inside the claim.” I say snarkily, earning a full-on smile from my brother.

We spend our trip going over the biggest competitors for Seth which also makes them my biggest concerns.

“Alpha Mason and his Beta, Elijah, are in the competition again this year.”

“I saw that.”

“He doesn’t seem so bad.” Seth says.

I turn and look at him. “Why does that matter?”

“I heard what dad said to you. I’m just saying, both of them and their pack have a good reputation.”

“Have you met either of them?”

“They were both at the last two claiming’s, and I think they might have been at Mila’s too. I spoke to them briefly, but I could tell that neither of them was happy that Typhon claimed her.”

“Of course, they weren’t. It meant that they didn’t claim her.”

“No, it was more than that. It was like they had no respect for him. I wasn’t in her claim, obviously, so I don’t know exactly what happened, but it apparently wasn’t something that was illegal. Otherwise, his claim would have been contested.”

“Well, we know he’s an a*s*shole that doesn’t care that our female population is nearly depleted. All he cares about is getting an heir.”

I mull over what Seth said as we pull into the claiming territory. There’s a line to get into the territory. It looks like there is a gate and guards checking people in.

“Is it always like this?” I ask Seth.

“No, this is new. I guess you were right about the guards.” It’s nearly a half an hour before we get to the gate. Seth rolls his window down.

“Name?”

“Seth and Jara Lykos.”

The guard’s eyes immediately look up and lock onto me. I watch as he sniffs the air before he leans his head to a radio on his shoulder.

“I need an escort.” He says, turning to the guard behind him.

“Alpha female.” He whispers to the guy. I look at Seth.

“What is this about?” Seth asks him.

He comes back to the car. “We are responsible for making sure that none of the females are forcibly marked before their claiming. As the Alpha female, you are our highest priority.”

Oh great, I get to arrive with tons of fanfare.

“The female rooms are in a separate building from the males. You‘re going to follow the escort to the female apartments. Once her bags are unpacked, you must leave the area immediately. The only reason you are allowed in there is because you are her brother. But you are not allowed to linger. Understood?” The guard says to Seth.

“Understood.” He says as six cars pull up, two putting themselves right in front of us.

“Pull up slowly, Mr. Lykos. Once the escort has surrounded your vehicle, they will direct you to the female apartments.”

Seth does as he’s told, not that he has a choice. We’re surrounded quickly and escorted to a building separated from the mam building. It looks new, like the paint might still be drying.

When we get there, I get out and a guard from every car also gets out. One comes over to Seth and tells him to remain in the car. Another goes to the front of the building and grabs a rolling cart for my luggage, the others take a protective stance around me. I notice that they are all carrying guns. I’m guessing they are tilled with silver bullets.

I go to the back of the car and open the trunk, beginning to pull out my bags. When the guard with the rolling cart comes over, he begins loading them onto the cart. When it’s done, he pulls my luggage toward the front of the building where I’ll apparently be living for the next month or so.

I turn to go say goodbye to Seth. A guard moves to stand in my way.

“Ms. Lykos, I must ask you to head inside the building.”

“I will, once I say goodbye to my brother.”

“I’m sorry Miss, that is not allowed.”

I give him my best fake smile. “I’m going to say goodbye to my brother and if you, or anyone else gets in my way, I’ll remove you. Am I clear?” I push out my aura. None of these guards are Alphas, so their wolves will feel the need to submit to mine. Maybe this is why there are so many of them. If an Alpha tried to command them, there are enough to overpower him.

His lips thin, but he steps back. “Yes, Alpha.”

I walk up to the driver’s side door and knock on the window. When the window comes down, I can see that Seth is trying hard to hide his laughter.

“It’s not funny.” I snarl.

“It sort of is. Give me a hug.” I lean in and hug him.

“Text me and let me know you are okay. I’ll see you tomorrow, probably.” He says before rolling up his window and driving toward the main building.

When I get to the top of the stairs of the building, there’s a female standing there, watching me.

“It looks like you enjoyed your pomp and circumstance as much as I did.” She says before holding out her hand. “I’m Hana, the Beta.”

I shake her hand. “I’m Jara, the Alpha.”

“Welcome to hell, Alpha.”