The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 8 Jaxon

Six hundred of us are standing at the starting line for the first contest. Just looking around. I can already identify some of those that will not make it. They are burning their energy with their excitement, unable to control themselves. I’m guessing they will be the ones that will sprint off when the gun goes off.

As I look around, I see Evangeline standing with Magdalena. I nod at her, and she nods back. I hope it’s her and I that make it to the finish line first. I’d love to battle her for top spot.

When the gun goes off, I watch the excitable youngsters, omegas and even some warriors, race off, trying to get a good head start. It won’t help them. They’re just going to burn their much-needed energy sooner than the rest of us.

There are ten total rest areas, spread out every ten miles and one final one back at the starting line, now being transitioned into a finish line, since our run will bring us back to the starting point.

After the first couple of miles, I get into the rhythm of running. I love the sound of my feet hitting the ground at a steady pace. I notice that most of the ranked wolves are doing what I am, taking their time and reserving their energy.

By the time we get to the first rest area, there are groups of runners forming. Evangeline, Magdalena and Lazio are in a group not far from me. In my group. Rowan, Teagan and Raelyn are running, along with a couple of others including Jace, but not Taylor. She’s in another group, with her siblings. As I look around, it appears that, for now, the groups are set aside by pack or family. It makes me wonder how these groups will change over the next day.

We pass Jordan at the first rest stop. She cheers for us as we go by. She is standing with glasses of water that she holds out for anyone to take. I grab one, downing it and tossing the paper cup aside. Part of the job of the volunteers is to clean up the mess after we’ve passed.

their breath. Some are getting back up, getting back into the race, others look like they may already be done.

to warm as the sun rises higher into the sky. This time, I grab two waters

to pee.” Teagan says. “I’ll

they don’t have to stop running, but this early into the race, it will cause chaffing, not to

Rowan says. “I’ll

them drop off the race, to head to the bathrooms that are set up for this purpose. I continue on, getting lost in my head space again. I’m not too far from the

isn’t with

“My sisters too.” I

figured she could run with them to

our breath for our run. Because it’s so quiet, I can hear that her steps and my steps are perfectly

we arrive at the 30-mile rest area. It’s close to noon now and a lot of people drop out of the race to grab some

Evie.” Lazio

a moment.

up, hopefully with Maggie and

nod. “See you

top competitors that Jordan had on my list are still running. There are some, like my sisters, Magdalena and Lazio that have stopped,

I believe we are the top six in the race. Over the last 30 miles, we’ve slowly creeped up to the

all concentrating on our breath, our pace. It’s still too soon to worry about trying to be any further in the lead. At this point, all six of us are easy winners, as long as we all finish. The calm quiet amongst us feels supportive as if we are giving each other strength for this