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.”

and so does everyone else in our pack. I expect it will

not all the packs are

right. What about your parents? You mother is technically

she is the iron fist and Dad is the softy, It’s not that way outside of our family, but everyone

acceptable solution too.” I say,

guess it will very much depend on

her, feeling like I’ve dodged a bullet and glad I asked that

breath over for the next couple of miles

I mean, I know you aren’t identical, but you

I guess, from seeing my other sisters. I’d say that it’s nice having a close bond with Jordan. We’re very close, closer than either of us are to our other sisters. Although, based on my observations, your relationship with Magdalena is probably similar. You two seem very

only 6 months apart in age, so we have a lot in common, unlike

closest friend. I have other guy friends, but if something is bothering me, she always knows, even if no one else does. And

She says and we fall back into silence, each of us getting caught up in our own

mile marker

getting so close!” Evangeline

the first round.” I say to her, putting my

we jog into the 80-mile rest

Taylor and Tobias?” I ask Alpha Maximus. He is Alpha Davis and Luna McKenna’s oldest

few minutes. You’re really

Alpha Max.” I tell

time is it?” Evangeline asks

am.” He

jog on and once we’re far enough away, I look

keep up this pace. So, while it’s been great chatting with you,

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 mate, which is just as important to me at

my pace, waiting for her to

stay with me. Really. It’s a race.” She

the middle of the night. I’ m

me a long moment. “Why are you being so

that your question?”

“Sure.”

I frown. “Was that yesterday? The day

that was

shrug. “I have nothing but time and honesty on my side. And, for some reason, it’s always