The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 11 Evangeline

I’m exhausted and everything hurts, but I’m actually enjoying myself. Jaxon is funny, intelligent and he never breaks the pace. He sets it and sticks with it. He’s a great running partner. I had thought that I might need to shift into my wolf, but at this rate, I think I can do the entire run in my human form. I’d be willing to push it anyway, just to continue talking to Jaxon.

When we hit the last rest stop, I ask again what time it is. It feels like the night is only about halfway done when they tell me it’s 5am. I’ve been running 23 hours straight. Ten miles to go, three to four hours left, and I’ve done it. I’ve passed the first cut.

“Who’s ahead of us?” Jaxon asks as we pass through.

This time it’s Alpha Paolo, Alpha Asher and Luna Mignon’s oldest son who is stationed at the rest stop.

“Tobias is a few minutes ahead of you, and Taylor is only about a minute ahead of you. She’s out of steam. I was surprised she didn’t stop.”

“Not her style.” Jaxon says as we run through.

As we run back out into the darkness, I look at Jaxon. “Almost there “

“Almost! We can do this.”

“Definitely.” I say. 

“Okay, when you’re ready, it’s your turn to ask first.” He says to me.

I’d been thinking about it, so I’m ready. “If you win…”

“When I win.” He corrects me.

Beta? Are you planning to go with

he thinks over his answer. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. There is obvious benefit to choosing family to be your Beta and Gamma, but there are also many out there that would be really great at it. Not only that, if I take a Beta and Gamma from another family, I’ve just strengthened my alliances with those packs. For me. I’ll already have an alliance with Jordan, then, let’s say your brother Lazio doesn’t win in this tournament. If he were to compete in the Beta trials and I chose him as my Beta, well, now I also have an alliance with Alejandro. And your cousins from Alpha Quinton and Luna Sophia’s pack aren’t even eligible to compete for the Alpha spot, but I’d be shocked if they didn’t compete for the

stops, taking a few breaths as we run. “Let’s say I took their son, Wade, as my Gamma, well now I’ve also created an alliance with your cousin Nathaniel when

packs, your pack being the fourth.” I say. It’s not necessarily needed, but in wolf packs, it’s

if Taylor gets a pack and my alliance with her brother Griffin. As cousins, we’re already family. It’s not really important, since the packs all get along now, but things change over time and setting up alliances now can only help my children in

in my head is Jaxon being mated to Noelle. “She’s not your type.” I

the dawning light of morning, I see a smile breaking

do you say that?”

“She’s that uppity

to think of Jaxon with Noelle. I mean she’s okay, I barely know

to Alpha Paolo anyway. He’s nearly 18 and I saw them huddled together the night before the race. I think he and Griffin are the

feel a lot better knowing Noelle

in the path when we see Taylor standing on the side of the

“Taylor,

She says, leaning over and sucking

Tay.” He tells her but she shakes her head. “No,

The rules are the same no matter what form you cross the

have.” She says, stubbornly,

wasn’t for Jaxon. He’s been my pacer almost the

together before. Go on you two. We’re all so close I can taste it. I just need to catch my breath and then

me, nodding. I nod back and he picks up our

can feel my anticipation

you know how they are doing points for the

of ten. Top ten group to finish gets 100 points, next group gets 90 and so

this early has it’s benefit?” I ask, knowing that the points are most valuable at

“Exactly. “ 

see the finish line