The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 5

Evangeline

Maggie, Lazio and I have been training like fiends. We are going to win. All of us. It’s as Alejandro said, the four of us will with be Alphas with our own packs.

My relationship with my brother has improved since that first day. I realized that my mother was right and while I’m still frustrated that I don’t get to be heir to my pack just because I’m a woman, that was never my brother’s decision. He felt that if the rest of us had to compete and win at these events, he should also be able to meet the same criteria.

In the past few months, I have realized that I still have a lot to learn about what it means to be a good Alpha. But, I’ve also recognized that, while I was being bitter and angry about not being Alpha, Alejandro was working hard to make sure that he would be an Alpha worthy of the pack. I have a lot of respect for my brother. Respect that he’s earned, but also that I should have given to him a long time ago.

Today, we’re arriving at the old claiming territory. Tomorrow we will all compete in the first event, the 100-mile run. When we get there, Magdalena and I are sharing a room, thank goodness. Makayla came with us, supposedly to cheer us on, but really, we know she’s here hoping to sniff out her mate. Since she’s still 15, I say good luck with that. 

The four of us, Maggie, Lazio, Al and I have gone over what we’ve decided are our fiercest competitors. The children of Alpha Mason and Luna Jara are the prime candidates. Being children of two true Alphas, they will be our biggest competitors. But, there are many others. Their cousin, Taylor, is high on my list of people to watch and basically every Alpha male in the competition and most of the Alpha females are a threat. We’ll just have to be stronger and smarter than they are.

When it’s time to get our instructions. Maggie and I head outside. Makayla comes skipping up, wanting to join us, meaning, she wants to be in the middle of the group of potential mates, hoping to sniff him out.

As we’re standing there, waiting for the speaker to take the stage, I turn to Maggie. “Our sister is purring. Do you think she knows?” I whisper in her ear.

I look up and my eyes lock onto intense grey eyes, staring right back at me. I immediately look away, but my heart rate spikes.

Maggie looks at me, frowning. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“Uh, nothing. I’m good.”

She looks at me a moment. “No, I don’t think she knows.” She says.

my turn to frown.

reaches around me and smacks Makayla’s arm. “Stop purring.” She says as quietly as she can. Thankfully, most everyone is talking quietly,

an older gentleman walks up on the stage. Even from here, I can tell that

puts his hands up and

An event that will give ten of you your

and howls go up around us and Makayla

have the age cut off. The young ones are too excitable.” Maggie whispers

over the rules of the first contest and then we will

snort. “Who would want these pack lands. The housing may be in the best

the area outside the old territory.

you know that?” I

at me. “How do

ago. Once again, our eyes lock, only this time,

an eyebrow or some shit. Now he knows he got to me, and that I was

behind us, just winked at

I

see super hotty.” She

him out later.” I say, refocusing my

at 6am tomorrow morning. There are nearly 600 of you that are competing. This first elimination round will take most of you out of the contest. Only the first 100

everyone. I feel like he’s used to being in front of a large crowd. He’s got a presence that just commands

during the race. Contestants may cross the finish line in either form and it will count. We will be setting up a time clock at the finish line and also a counter. As the winners cross the

at us again. No one

and settled into their new packs. Don’t assume because you haven’t made the initial cut for Alpha that you wouldn’t make the cut for Beta. I guarantee you, the winners will

think will be the first one to cross the line?”

I say together, laughing quietly

her forehead against my shoulder and look behind us. “Damn, he is

he is?” I

but that’s Gamma