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.”

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

not all the packs are

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

And, at least toward us kids, she is the iron fist and Dad is the softy, It’s not that way outside of our family, but everyone also

acceptable solution too.”

it will very much depend on who

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

for the next couple of miles before

mean, I know you aren’t

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 with Jordan. We’re very close, closer than either of us are to our other

about everything. We are only 6 months apart in age, so we have a lot in

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

back into silence,

it, mile marker 80 is coming

getting so close!”

we’re definitely going to make the first round.” I say to her, putting my fist

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

I ask Alpha Maximus. He is Alpha Davis and Luna McKenna’s oldest

few minutes. You’re

Alpha Max.” I

it?”

1 am.” He

once we’re far enough away, I look at

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

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

slow my pace, waiting for her to

with me. Really. It’s a race.”

move to the next round. It’s the middle of

looks at me a long moment. “Why are you being so nice

your question?”

“Sure.”

clearing.” I frown. “Was that yesterday? The day before? Whenever it was, I saw you and

that was

on my side. And, for some reason, it’s always easier to