The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 17 Jaxon

The next morning, I woke feeling great. My future mate may not realize that she’s my mate yet, but she’s definitely feeling the draw. I need to take this time before she turns 18 to show her that we can have everything together. I’m not really sure what would happen if we both win. Would they let us combine territories? Something to worry about later. Today, I get to see my mate again.

I’m getting out of bed as Jace comes out of the shower. “Hey, man. What are you up to today?” I ask him.

“I’m going to check in with Jordan and see what needs to be done for the pack. With all of us here, I want to make sure that nothing goes undone.” He says.

“Spoken like a true Alpha.” I say to him.

He shrugs. “We’ll see even if I don’t get a pack. I’m still one of the lucky ones that have a position in a great pack. Your sister is a great Alpha.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m well aware of how good my sister is at running the pack.”

He looks at me. “Sorry, I’m so used to defending your sister to others that it just conies naturally to me.”

“Defending her to whom?” I ask, standing up.

“Oh, come on Jaxon, you know what everyone says about her. That just because she’s a woman, she can’t run a pack.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard and considering the strength of the Lunas in the packs, I’m surprised that there is that much discussion about it.” I say. Yeah, I hear it, but apparently not as much as Jace does.

“It’s not that they don’t think she’s strong, for a LUNA, just not as an Alpha.”

I growl low and menacing. “Next time someone says something about my sister, ask them if they feel strongly enough about what they’re saying to challenge her. If not, they need to shut their fucking mouths. If they do challenge her, they’ll see just how much of an Alpha my sister truly is.”

that.” He says

the Taylor

status

you get your pack? Are you going to ask her to be your Luna?” I ask

win her own pack.”

could win one of the ten-pack

my business, but what’s the

do you mean?”

with my sister. There’s a

to have a mate who is also an Alpha. No matter what you think you see between me and your sister, there can never be anything between us. I’m a Gamma. She’s an

thing you’ve ever said. Alphas take Gammas, warriors, even omegas as mates all the time.’’ I say to

older men in our packs and some of the younger ones. They aren’t outwardly against her, but they

you’re in this competition? So, you can officially become an Alpha and claim my

away, not

your motivation? Then what the hell are you doing

Jaxon.” He snarls

This is my

has nothing to

help me, goddess, if

it! I’m not, I would never hurt her. I’m giving her exactly what she needs, the space and freedom to choose someone that is right for her, someone that deserves her, that can do

back, gritting my teeth. “I never thought you were stupid, Jace. But if this is truly how you feel, then maybe you’re right and

the problem.” He snaps, grabs a shirt and

right,” I mutter as the door slams

around the table. Raelyn looks sad and Teagan and

wrap my arms around her and

to look at her, seeing a tear slide down her

us

“Why?” I ask, frowning.

she didn’t come in the top 100,” Teagan