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.”

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

packs are

you’re right. What about your parents? You mother is technically a higher ranked wolf than

and Dad is the softy, It’s not that way outside of our family, but everyone also knows that they better not overstep around our mother, or she’ll put you in

acceptable solution too.”

I guess it will very much depend

her, feeling like I’ve dodged a bullet and

for the next couple

mean, I know you aren’t identical,

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 having a close bond

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

is bothering me, she always knows, even if no one else does. And the same is true

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

mile marker

we’re getting so

first round.” I say to her,

me a fist bump as we jog into the 80-mile rest stop, grabbing our

is Alpha Davis and Luna McKenna’s oldest son and one of the people manning

minutes. You’re really close

Max.”

time is it?” Evangeline asks

am.” He

far enough away, I look

sighing. “I hate to say this, but I have to slow down. I can’t keep up this pace. So, while it’s been great chatting with you, I can’t keep up anymore. You’ll have to leave me behind.” She

event and right now, she and I are in the third and fourth places. I can afford to slow

my pace, waiting

don’t have to stay with me.

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

a long moment. “Why are you being

question?” I ask

“Sure.”

drawn to you the minute I saw you in that clearing.” I frown. “Was that

that was very

nothing but time and honesty on my side. And, for some reason, it’s always easier to bare your soul in the dead