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

the Taylor front?” I ask

status quo.”

you get your pack? Are you going

won’t win her own

competition that could win one of the ten-pack lands, my money is on

not my business, but what’s the

you

sister. There’s a

have a mate who is also an Alpha. No matter what you think you see between me and your sister,

Alphas take Gammas, warriors,

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

at him more closely. “Is that why you’re in this competition?

away, not

what the

it, Jaxon.” He snarls at

is my sister

your sister. So, b*ut*t out. This has nothing to

his face. “So help me, goddess,

would never hurt her. I’m giving her exactly what she needs, the space and freedom to choose someone that is right for

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 they have to

it. It isn’t her that’s the problem.”

that right,” I mutter as the door slams behind

around the table. Raelyn looks sad and Teagan and Rowan look like they are

walk up behind her, leaning over to wrap my arms around her and kissing the top of her head. “What’s up, buttercup?” I

sniffles and I tilt my head to the side to look at her, seeing a tear slide

she let us down,” Rowan says to

“Why?” I ask, frowning.

in