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.

that my mother

them!” Makayla says,

to me.

congratulate her family as much as I

seems the four of them, my sisters, Lazio and Magdalena, have stayed together and added Carter. Elijah and Layan’s son, to their numbers. They are the first five in the

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

“Anyone hungry?” Jordan asks.

We all

“They have food laid out

heading inside but I see my mother watching as the next

“Mom?”

going to wait

you’re dead on your feet. I’ll stay with your mother.”

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

affair. Most of us are struggling to stay awake long enough

contestants and they will be having a congratulatory dinner with the announcement for the next

of a wait?” Magdalena

in early, sweetheart. Runners will be coming in all day today. When they get here, they will need food and sleep, just like you. When you get up later today, there may still be runners coming in that haven’t completed

invited to stay to watch the ceremony tomorrow night.” Alpha Luke

their family members didn’t come in the top 100?”

Alphas, it’s also an opportunity for people to choose to live somewhere else, choose a different

that 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 you just as closely as you are

and I can

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

of you get some sleep.” Alpha Luke

today, making sure there is food for the runners as they come in and as they wake up.”

her family stand, ready