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.”

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,

are ran like that.”

about your parents? You mother is technically

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.” I say, crossing my

don’t know, I guess it will very much depend on who my mate is, if I even find

her,

next couple of miles before she

like being a twin? I mean, I know you aren’t

her question 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.

share just about everything. We are only 6 months apart in age, so we have a lot in common, unlike Makayla who is two years younger

if something is bothering me, she always knows, even if no one else does.

into silence, each of us getting caught

it, mile marker

getting so close!”

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

me a fist bump as we jog into the 80-mile

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

few minutes. You’re really close to

Max.” I

it?”

1 am.”

on and once we’re far enough away,

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

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

pace, waiting for her to

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

of the night. I’ m tired too. As

me a long moment. “Why are

question?” I ask

“Sure.”

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

was

side. And, for some reason, it’s always easier to bare your soul in the dead of night, don’t you