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.”

do that.” He

on the

Still status quo.”

pack? Are you going to ask

won’t win her own pack.”

there is one woman in this competition that could win one of the ten-pack lands, my money is

not my business, but

you mean?”

you with my sister. There’s a

give me his full attention. “I have the utmost respect for your sister. She’s my Alpha. An Alpha deserves 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

Alphas take Gammas, warriors, even omegas as mates all the time.’’ I say to

with the older men in our packs and some of the younger ones. They aren’t outwardly against her, but they don’t feel that a woman should lead a pack. She needs a strong man by her side,

look at him more closely. “Is that why you’re in this competition? So, you can officially become an Alpha

turns away, not

your motivation? Then what the hell

He snarls

This is my sister

out. This has

into his face. “So help

needs, the space and freedom to choose someone that is right for her, someone that deserves her, that can do right by her!” He shouts back at

thought you were stupid, Jace. But if this is truly how you feel, then maybe you’re right and my sister does deserve someone smart enough to realize that no matter what, no matter the mountain

worth it. It isn’t her that’s the problem.” He snaps, grabs a shirt and stomps out of

right,” I mutter

some food. I find Teagan, Rowan, and Raelyn sitting around the

her and kissing the top of her head. “What’s up, buttercup?” I

the side to

let us

“Why?” I ask, frowning.

in