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.”

at that. “That’s not how it is in my pack. My 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 say, thinking of Jace and wondering if he would be okay

are ran like that.” She

is technically a higher ranked wolf than your father.” I

she is the iron fist 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

it could be an acceptable solution

will very much depend on who

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

next couple of

twin? I mean, I know you aren’t identical, but you seem really close to your

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 with Jordan. We’re very close, closer than either of us are to our other sisters. Although, based on my observations, your relationship with

about everything. We are only 6 months apart in age, so

no one else does. And the same is true for her. We are in tune with each other in a way that is probably only rivaled by

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

know it, mile marker 80

so close!” Evangeline

are, we’re definitely going to make the first

as we jog

Alpha Davis and Luna McKenna’s oldest son and one of

minutes. You’re

Alpha Max.” I tell

is it?” Evangeline

1 am.” He

we’re far enough away, I look at her. “Your

have to slow down. I can’t keep up this pace. So, while

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

slow my pace, waiting for her to

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

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

looks at me a long moment. “Why are

question?” I ask

“Sure.”

truth is, I was drawn to you the minute I saw you in that clearing.” I frown. “Was that yesterday? The day before? Whenever it was, I saw you and I wanted to get to know

that was

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