The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 12 Jaxon

Evangeline is saved from answering my question by our families. Makayla practically barrels her over. I reach out to grab her, but her father beats me to it.

A moment later, I smell my twin as she also nearly tackles me. I wrap my arms around her. and she steadies both of us.

“Top five, both of you, well done.” Luna Katerina says, walking over with two bottles of water. She hands both Evangeline and I a bottle and we down it in one go.

“Want another one?” She asks us. We both nod.

“I’ve got them.” My mother says, walking over with my father.

“Well, done son.” My father says.

I look around and see Uncle Seth and Aunt Hana congratulating Taylor and Alpha Saul and Luna Gia congratulating his son, Tobias.

“Do you know how far behind your sisters are?” My mother asks me.

“No, they stopped with Evangeline’s brother and sister early on. They were never able to catch back up with us.”

I hear cheering and see Jace and Stefan crossing the finish line.

“I’m going to congratulate Jace.” My father says. And I fall to the ground, sitting and putting my arms on my knees, drinking this water more slowly.

My mother is anxiously watching for my sisters. “Rowan and Teagan are tough mom. They’ll be here soon.”

Next in is Caleb, Taylor’s brother. Then Justina and Noelle, Alpha Davis’s and Alpha Antonio’s daughters come in together and rounding out the top 10 is Cillian, Alpha Asher’s son.

isn’t long after that that my mother

Makayla says,

to me. “She’s

as much as I want to congratulate mine. Hopefully then, I can get food, a shower and find a

Magdalena, have stayed together and added Carter. Elijah and Layan’s son, to their numbers. They are the first five in the second group

bring them bottles of water this time and every one gulps them down. I hug my sisters, congratulating them and see Evangeline doing the

“Anyone hungry?” Jordan asks.

We all say

not in the race chuckles. “They have food laid out inside.

I see my mother watching as the next round of runners crosses the

“Mom?”

going to wait for

eat, then get some sleep. I’m sure you’re dead on your feet. I’ll stay with your mother.”

me before she turns, focusing on whatever her brother Alejandro is saying. I didn’t even see

struggling to stay awake

will be having a congratulatory dinner with the announcement for the next contest.” Alpha Luke

a wait?”

and sleep, just like you. When you get up later today, there may still be runners coming in that haven’t completed the race yet.” Luna Katerina

stay to watch the ceremony tomorrow night.” Alpha

family

while it’s a contest for the next ten Alphas, it’s also an opportunity for people to choose to live somewhere else,

competed here will want their first glimpse at the next potential Alphas, assessing them and you. I would be surprised if they don’t start approaching all of you, asking about your plans when you become Alpha, the pack lands you want, things like that. Remember, you can choose your Beta, but they also have to accept you as their Alpha. So those that plan to compete for the Beta positions will be watching all of

considered that.” Teagan says, and I can see she’s starting to slump into her

but now that I’ve put something into my stomach, the fatigue is catching

all of you get some

be open all day today, making sure there is food for the runners as they come in

ready to head back to