The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 10 Jaxon

My original idea of asking each other a question at each mile marker was to pass the time, help me to think of something, anything other than my sore muscles, my aching feet and the cramp in my stomach that could be from running, hunger or both.

However, I realize quickly that this is a great opportunity to get to know the woman that I intend to take as a mate. I just hope she’s not going to be like Taylor and string me along. Which gives me my idea for the next question.

We run through the 70-mile marker, grabbing cups of water and getting cheers. My cousin Griffin is at this rest stop. He will be taking over for my Uncle Seth in a couple of months.

“Only Tobias and Taylor are ahead of you Jax! And they both look like they are running out of steam. You’ve got this!” He says as I pass.

“Keep it up, Evangeline, you’ve can do it!” He encourages her.

Griffin is great. I like him a lot. But he got some of his mother’s bubbly, cheerleader qualities, and right now, while I appreciate the sentiment, it’s a bit tough to take.

“Thanks, Griff.” I say, downing my water.

“Thank you, Alpha Griffin.” Evangeline says and we continue on our way.

I wait until we’re well past the rest area before I look at Evangeline.

“Ready for the next question?” I ask her.

“Sure.” She says.

“If you win, how are you going to handle it when you find your mate?” I ask her.

She sighs. “Honestly, I don’t know. It might depend on who he is, how he feels about being co-Alphas. Right now, I’m leaning toward staying single. I’m sure I could find a sperm donor so I could have an heir.” She tells me.

Oh no, this is not the answer I was hoping for.

“What if he’s willing to be co-Alphas?” I ask. My parents do that, and my sister intends to do the same. I would definitely be okay with that.

“Except, it’s MY title that has to change, right? Even if I win the pack lands, possibly defeating him in this contest, if I take him as my mate, he still gets to be Alpha, and I have to be Luna. The titles alone imply that he is head of the pack, and I would be second.”

mother has the title of Luna, yes, but no one thinks that she’s second to my father, not even my father. He treats my mother as an equal, and so does everyone else in our pack. I expect it will be the same for Jordan. At least, that’s what she’s hoping to find in her mate.” I

the packs are ran like that.”

is technically a higher ranked wolf

thinks about that for a moment. “I guess he does treat her as an equal. And, at least toward us kids, she is the iron fist and Dad is the softy, It’s not that

that sounds like it could be an acceptable solution too.” I say, crossing

know, I guess it will very much depend on

him during this competition.” I tell her, feeling like I’ve dodged a bullet and

our breath over for the next

know you aren’t identical, but you

for a moment. “I’m not sure I know how to answer that. I guess it would be the same as asking you what it’s like not being a twin. I don’t know any other way. But I guess, from seeing my other sisters. I’d say that it’s nice

months apart in age, so we have a lot in common, unlike Makayla who is

something is bothering me, she always knows, even if no one else does. And the same is true for her. We are in tune with each

nice.” She says and we fall back into silence, each of us

I know it, mile marker 80 is coming

we’re getting so

we’re definitely going to make the first round.” I

we jog into the 80-mile rest

ahead are Taylor and Tobias?” I ask Alpha Maximus. He is Alpha Davis and Luna McKenna’s oldest son and one of the people manning this rest

You’re

Alpha Max.” I

is it?” Evangeline

1 am.”

we’re far enough away,

this pace. So, while it’s been great

this competition is everything to me, but I only need to be in the top 100 for this event and right now, she and I are in the third and fourth places. I can afford to slow down and continue my conversation with my future

my pace, waiting for

have to stay with me. Really. It’s a race.”

challenge. One that we are both going to finish and move to the next round. It’s the middle of the night. I’ m tired too. As long as there aren’t too many people that pass us, I

at me a long moment. “Why are

that your question?”

“Sure.”

I frown. “Was that yesterday? The day before? Whenever it was, I saw you and I wanted to get

was very

“I have nothing but time and honesty on my side. And, for some reason, it’s always easier to bare your soul